Chapter One
Belated birthday presents are the coolest.
This was the best one Iâd ever received: better than my week-late trip to the Gold Coast on my eighth birthday; better even than the pre-order voucher for the whole series of Dance Moms when I turned ten.
My eleventh birthday was a few weeks ago. Iâd had a party and everything, but now it was time to experience Mum and Dadâs present:a yummy dinner in the city with the biggest, most delicious sundae Iâd ever had and, finally, I was about to watch a real, professional musical â something Iâd dreamt about for years.
Mum and I had two tickets to see 42nd Street at the Performing Arts Palladium in the big city!
I guess you have to know a bit about me to see why I was so excited. My nameâs Ellie, Iâm a dancer and Iâve been working on becoming a âtriple threatâ for a while now. A triple threat means you can sing, dance and act. So not only do you get way more opportunities, but you also get to do musical theatre.
And I love musical theatre! Iâve been going to my dance school, Silver Shoes, since I was a tiny, and my favourite style has always been jazz. But my teacher, Miss Caroline (who also owns the school), encouraged me to trymusical theatre because I am âvery dramatic and expressive when I danceâ. Our musical theatre teacher at Silver Shoes is called Billie, and she started giving me singing lessons. Then, I guess, I fell in love.
Iâll never love any style as much as jazz, but musical theatre sure comes a close second. Donât get me wrong â I still have big dreams about being a famous dancer or choreographer and appearing in the video clips of pop stars. Maybe Iâll even be a pop star myself!
But lately the stage has been calling me. Just thinking about it makes my fingers and toes tingle. I imagine how my acting will make people cry, and how my singing will fill the theatre and make the audienceâs hearts swell.
For a minute I will feel larger than myself, Eleanor Charlotte Irvin, and be part of something greater and more fabulous.
Itâs the same feeling I had now, as Mum and I weaved our way through all the people at the Performing Arts Palladium. Bodies were packed into the foyer and up the stairs, and everything smelt like toilet spray perfume and peppermint mouthwash. Mum and I had to go totally ant style, weaving our way in and out of arms and legs, and dodging the drops flung from peopleâs champagne flutes while they laughed loud enough to burst our eardrums.
I mean, great that theyâre enjoying themselves, but I need my eardrums or Iâll never be able to sing properly. I donât want my career sabotaged before itâs even begun.
âWelcome,â the usher said to us at the door. He had a moustache drawn on with eyeliner and talked with an American accent like in gangster movies. His slicked hair had abouthalf a tub of gel holding it back. âHow you two ladies doing tonight?â
âJust fine, thank you,â said Mum. She looked around at everyone and winked at the usher. âEven better when we can breathe.â
âWhy breathe when you can sing?â The usher shrugged. âMy nameâs Mikey, pleased to meet you.â He glanced down at me. âAnd you, princess? You look like a leading lady in the making.â
I gave him a big smile and did a little curtsy so my glittery pink dress floated out. âMy nameâs Ellie,â I said. âOne day, I will be.â
âA princess or a leading lady?â The usher grinned.
âBoth,â I said, flicking my blonde curls over my shoulder.
âBig aspirations, this one,â Mum chuckled, giving one of my curls a playful tug.
Mikey laughed. âMaybe next time Iâll be working the door for one of your shows.â He checked the tickets Mum was holding. âTonight you two will be seated on the mezzanine level. Itâs just up the stairs
Enid Blyton
MacKenzie McKade
Julie Buxbaum
Patricia Veryan
Lois Duncan
Joe Rhatigan
Robin Stevens
Edward Humes
MAGGIE SHAYNE
Samantha Westlake