rated *
This is a prequel to Trixie Belden: Kidnapped.
Trixie's Secret in England
by Hilary
It was 8am and Trixie Belden was wide awake. She called a cab, then went and had a shower. When her shower was over, she went and looked out the window. Below her she could see people everywhere. She looked out and saw Big Ben. She saw her cab pull up. She turned away from the window, walked over to where her purse was, and picked up a folder. She nearly forgot her handbag, but the sign she had stuck on the door told her that her purse and handbag were still on the bed. She walked down the stairs until she reached the front door. She stepped out into the cold air and made a beeline for the open cab.
Half an hour later the cab came to a stop out side a recording studio. Trixie thanked the driver and paid the fee. She looked up and gulped. She double-checked that she had the folder and then walked confidently into the building. She walked up to the receptionist who directed her in the direction of the recording room. She walked down a long hall that had pictures of famous musicians and singers on the wall. She finally reached a door that said RECORDING STUDIO. She put one hand up to knock but the door opened before her fist reached the wood.
“Hello, Trixie,” a plump little man with a big smile said as he welcomed her into the room.
“Hello, Mr April,” Trixie replied with a smile.
“Are you ready?” Mr April asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Trixie replied.
He led her to a small room that had a piano in it. Trixie left her handbag on the chair she had just vacated and walked up to the piano. She sat down and placed her folder on the piano’s book holder. Mr April gave her the all clear sign.
Slowly she began to play. Her fingers danced upon the keys. Then she began to softly sing, “Oh, oh, oh, yeah. My heads full of thoughts, thoughts of you. And I’m distracted so easy, thinking what to do. So unsure, so unfamiliar. Am I wrong to think that something could happen.” She paused then continued, “Will you fall for me? I need to know. The way I’d like you to. Baby, Will you fall for me. The way I’ve fallen for you.” Her country voice was clear and beautiful as she sang. “I’m not acting like myself, I’m playing the role of someone else. And my hearts beating so fast, I can’t stop it. And I’m so unsure, so unfamiliar. Am I wrong to think that something could happen? Will you fall for me? Oh, Oh. The way I’d like you to. Will you fall for me? The way I’ve fallen for you. The way I’ve fallen you. The way I’ve fallen for you. The way I’ve fallen fo-or yo-ou ooooo. For you. So unsure so unfamiliar am I wrong to think that something could happen was I wrong to think I. Will you fall for me? The way I’d like you to. Will you fall for me? The way I’ve fallen for, I’ve fallen fo-or you.”
Trixie looked up at Mr April from the piano. He gave her the going good sign. Suddenly seemingly from out of nowhere a group of people came out and removed the piano from the room. Trixie looked at Mr April in surprise. He wrote THEY ARE HELPING TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT SONG on a piece of paper and held it up to the window.
Trixie nodded to show that she understood. She got ready for the next song. She walked up to a microphone that had just been placed in the room. She put on the headphones and looked at Mr April. He gave the go ahead sign.
The music began and she began to sing right on cue, “I found myself today, oh I found myself and ran away. But something pulled me back. A voice of reason I forgot I had. All I know is you’re not here to say, what you always used to say. But it’s written in the sky tonight. So I won’t give up, no, I won’t break down. Sooner than it seems life turns around. And I will be strong, Even if it all goes wrong. When I’m standing in the dark I’ll still believe, Someone’s watching over me.
The music continued. “I’ve seen that ray of light, and it’s shining on my destiny. Shining all the time. And I won’t be afraid, to follow everywhere it’s taking me. All I know is yesterday is gone, and right now I belong. To this moment, to my dreams. So I won’t give up, No I won’t breakdown. Sooner than it seems life turns around. And I will be strong, Even if it all goes wrong. When I’m standing in the dark I’ll still believe, someone’s watching over me. It doesn’t matter what people say, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Believe in yourself and you’ll find, it only matters how true you are. Be true to yourself and follow your heart. No I won’t give up, and I won’t breakdown. Sooner than it seems life turns around. And I will be strong, even if it all goes wrong. When I’m standing in the dark I still believe, that someone’s watching over, someone’s watching over, someone’s watching over me.”
She again got ready for the next song. “Ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away, ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away.” She began, “When the war is over, got to get away. Pack my bags to no place, in no time, no day. You and I we used each other’s shoulder. Still so young but somehow so much older. How can I go hame and not get blown away. Ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away, ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away. When the war is over got to start again. Try to hold a trace of what it was back then. All around this chaos and madness, can’t help feeling nothing more than sadness. Only choice to face it the best I can. Ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away, ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away. You and I we sent each other stories, just a page I’m lost in all its glories. How can I go home and not get blown away? Ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away, ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart away.”
She then finished on a high and powerful note, “Ain’t nobody gonna steal this heart, Aw-aaaaaaaaaaaay!”
Mr April cheered from where he was standing. Trixie removed the headphones and stepped away from the microphone. She walked until she was standing next to Mr April in the recording room.
“Wow!” was all he could manage.
Trixie blushed.
“That was fantastic! I didn’t think you could do it!” he finally said.
Trixie said thanks and left the building feeling happy and refreshed. Another recording done, she thought to herself as she walked along the street. She stopped at the lights. When they turned green she crossed the road.
I wonder how Jim is? She gazed upon the beautiful emerald and ruby engagement ring that was worn proudly on her wedding finger. She walked a bit further until she came to a pay phone. She joined the queue. When it was her turn she dialled that all too familiar number.
“Hewwow,” a sleepy voice said on the other end.
“Hi, Jim,” Trixie replied.
“Oh, hi, Trix. How are you, baby?” Jim asked, obviously more awake.
“I’m fine, how are you doing? Holding up without me?” Trixie asked.
“Just. I really miss you baby, so does everyone else. Still want to marry me?” he asked half-jokingly.
“I miss you to. For as long as I live I’ll always want to marry you, no matter where in the world we are,” she replied, tears running down her cheeks.
“My money’s running out, I love you. Bye,” Trixie said.
“I love you, too. Bye.” She heard Jim’s line cut and cried. She hung up the receiver and walked down the street.
On her way home she stopped at a café and bought a cappuccino to go. She walked down the street towards her hotel, warm cup in hand, thinking. She thought about Jim, but mostly of her recording.
For the next seven days she went to the recording studio. She walked down the now familiar hall to the recording room. She let herself in. She walked to where Mr April was sitting.
“You ready to begin?” she asked as she sat her belongings down on a spare chair.
“Ready,” Mr April replied.
She walked into the recording area where the microphone stood. The music began.
“For the life of me I can’t believe, that you’re on your knees beggin’ please, All the pushin’ away and puttin’ down, can’t you see you’re getting’ the run around, Oh it’s plain to see you’d rescue me, from my loneliness so called unhappiness. Oh I didn’t mean to cause you pain, I’ve got nothin’ to lose and nothin’ gain. And don’t waste your heart on a wild thing, she’s got a soul that won’t settle on one thing. Whoa this bird can’t sing when you’ve tied its wings, don’t waste your heart on me. It’s funny how the girls get burned. And honey as far as I’m concerned, the tables have turned. And don’t waste your heart on a wild thing, she’s got a soul that won’t settle on one thing. Whoa this bird can’t sing when you’ve tied its wings, don’t waste your heart on me. And I’m here to apologize, my heart can’t compromise. Don’t waste your heart on meeeee!” she finished.
Mr April clapped his hands. His eyes were wet from tears. She got ready for the next song. A lone man with a guitar joined her in front of another microphone. The sound of a guitar lightly being strummed could be heard.
Then Trixie began, speaking at first, “Someday you will find the place. It’s the place where love takes over hate. Then you’ll see all the things you do, effect everyone around you.” Then she sang softly, “Now I know there’s no fear at all. You held my hand and took down that wall. As I looked at you I had nothing to say. Now I understand why you pushed me away. I went far and now I see, The only one I needed was me,” she finished, her voice soft and clear.
She walked out of the room and over to where Mr April was standing. He looked at her and said “Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! Trixie the radio wants to play ‘The Last Song’ and I thought you might like to know. They also want to know what you would like to be called,” Mr April informed her.
“Natalie, they can call me Natalie,” Trixie said, after much consideration.
“Great,” Mr April replied.
In New York
“You were just listening to the sound of Natalie,” the radio man said.
“That Natalie is a great singer,” Di complimented.
Honey picked up a magazine, on the cover it said: THE TRUTH BEHIND NATALIE, Who is she? Where is she from?
Honey turned to the page indicated.
“Look at this! Doesn’t she look a lot like Trixie?” Honey told the others.
“You’re right, sis. She does look like Trixie,” Jim commented upon seeing the picture.
“‘Natalie is from New York State, her home is right next to the Hudson.’ I wonder where about on the Hudson?” Honey asked.
“It’d be great if she was from Sleepyside!” Di exclaimed.
Back in England
Trixie walked down the corridor to the recording room. This would be her last recording for a year. She would then be allowed to go home. It would be her choice to tell her family and friends that Natalie was actually her and that they didn’t have any relatives in England. After this she would be allowed to record in New York because Mr April was planning on moving his business to New York.
Once inside she put her things down and walked up to the microphone. The music began to play and she began to sing, “Gotta find your inner strength, If you can’t then just throw life away. Gotta learn to rely on you, beauty, strength and wisdom too. You’re beautiful inside and out, lead a great life without a doubt. Don’t need a man to make things fair, ‘Cuz more than likely he won’t be there. Listen girl gotta know it’s true. In the end all you’ve got is you.” She finished the song and wiped a tear from her eyes.
Mr April clapped. She got ready for her next song, this one would be a little more up beat.
“Don’t spit on me and shame yourself, because you wish you were someone else. You look so clean but you spread your dirt. As if you think that words don’t hurt. You build up walls no one can climb, the things you do should be a crime. You’re the queen of superficiality, keep your lies out of my reality. And when you’re nice it’s just a pose, you’re one of those HATERS! Traitors to the human race, haters, what a drag, what a waste. I’d like to see them disappear, they don’t belong anywhere. Haters! Spinning a web that’s hard to see of envy, greed and jealousy. Feeling angry but you don’t know why, why don’t you look me in the eye? You want my friends, you want my clothes, you’re one of those. HATERS! Traitors to the human race, haters what a drag, what a waste. I’d like to see them disappear, they don’t belong anywhere HATERS! Different life form, different species, broken promises and treaties, talkin’ ‘bout exterminating, not the haters just the hating. You say your boyfriends sweet and kind, but you’ve still got your eyes on mine. Your best friends got her eyes on yours, it all goes on behind closed doors. And when you’re nice it’s just a pose, you’re one of those, HATERS! Traitors to the human race, Haters! What a drag, what a waste. I’d like to see them disappear, they don’t belong anywhere. HATERS! HATERS! Later for the alibis, haters, any shape, any size. I’d like to see them disappear, they don’t belong anywhere. HATERS!” Trixie sang at the top of her voice. She walked to Mr April.
“Goodbye, and thank you. I suppose I’ll see you in New York?” Trixie said.
“Goodbye, and I suppose you will,” Mr April replied.
A few days later Trixie was sitting in a cab on her way to the airport. Her parents would meet her in New York. When she arrived at the airport, Trixie paid the driver and collected her luggage. Once inside she heard her plane being called. She put her luggage on the luggage collector and boarded the plane. It was going to be a long flight.
When the plane arrived in New York, Trixie looked eagerly out her window and spotted her parents. She waved. On solid ground again, Trixie ran full force to her parents. She hugged them both fiercely. She collected her luggage. Her parents drove her to her apartment where they stayed for a cup of coffee. Tomorrow I’ll see Jim and the others, she thought to herself.
The End (For now at least)
Author’s notes: all song words are used without permission. All characters are also used without permission. Mr April is my own character. The songs are, in order:
Will you fall for me? By Delta Goodrem,
Someone’s watching over me By Hilary Duff,
When the War is Over By Cosima,
Don’t waste your heart By Dixie Chicks,
The Last Song by Hilary Duff
Inner Strength by Hilary Duff
Haters by Hilary Duff
I am not receiving any money at all.