Liar | Freddie Mercury

Chapter Eight

"Hi, Estelle." I mumbled quietly before we all took a seat at our usual table.

Our waitress came back to take our orders and quickly ran off to collect three more cups of coffee. I needed something a lot stronger than coffee, Freddie's double gin and tonic would do the job.

"How are you? How are things at university?" My dad smiled. At least he was trying to be friendly, unlike Estelle who chose to scan the menu. She wasn't interested in how I was doing, unless things were going badly.

"Oh, just fine. I haven't been working as hard as I should. I've met these new friends and they try their best to keep me out of my studies." I joked and smiled at the thought of Roger slamming my books shut hours before I ruined our friendship in a tiny bathroom stall.

"That doesn't sound good." Estelle commented but I ignored it.

"I'm glad you're finally making some friends here in London. You've been back for two years, it's about time." My dad smiled kindly.

I could tell that he was trying his best to save our broken relationship, but he knew the only way for things to ever be okay again was if Estelle magically vanished from both our lives. That wouldn't happen any time soon. They've been married for ten years, things have been horrible for those ten years and me moving halfway across the country to finish highschool in my aunt's house clearly wasn't reason enough for him to leave her.

"Yeah, I guess it's kinda nice to get out and be social. They're good friends. I haven't known them for that long though, but they do their best to include me in their lives. They're in a band, they're funny boys." I laughed lightly and bit down on my lip as our waitress returned with two cappuccinos and my second latte of the day.

Estelle placed her menu down, looking at me over the brim of her glasses as she ran a hand through her short, bright red hair.

"You look happy, I'm glad things are finally going a bit be-" My dad got cut off as Estelle cleared her throat, sitting up straight as she slurpt from her cup.

"You said there was something serious you wanted to talk about. We're going to have to rush this breakfast. I have an appointment at eleven." She spoke loudly.

"If you have to leave so soon then why did you come with? This is a conversation I would've liked to have with my dad, but you wouldn't respect tha-"

"Clarissa." My dad sighed as he noticed the deep frown forming between my eyebrows.

I couldn't control my emotions around Estelle. After years of hell, it was difficult for me to be a decent person towards her. I've always been caring and optimistic, a real extrovert, until she ruined it. She knew what power she had over me and her smug smirk caused my eyes to drift to my cup as I placed my cold hands around it.

I cleared my throat, shaking my head before looking at my dad, "Dad, I've just been thinking. With uni being so far away, I spend all of my allowance on transport and with the store being so quiet lately, the pay has gone down. I would like to use some of the money mum left me to buy a car. Nothing fancy, I just need to be able to go places and not worry about-"

"I told you! I told you she wanted something." Estelle chipped in. I immediately raised my head to look up at her as she stared at my dad. She was making him pick sides, as usual.

"Wanted something? It's my money-"

"It's your money when you turn twenty one. Until then, the money doesn't exist. Is that why you wanted to have breakfast? The only time you ever make any effort to see us is when you want something. No, the answer is no." She placed her hands on the table, staring me down as my lips parted in shock.