Melody Trumpet chapter sampler

She entered her mother’s walk-in wardrobe — the silliest of names for a room that was twice the size of Melody’s bedroom. The walls were adorned with shelves covered with trophies and treasures. Brightly coloured gowns, skirts, blouses and coats burst from hangers in every direction. Melody plucked a hat with an enormous peacock feather from one of the many hatstands and plopped it on her head. Next, a pale yellow feather boa, which was so long she snaked it around her neck three times and it still dragged along the carpet. She skipped past a rack of dresses, and paused in front of another jewellery box. She lifted the lid and peered at the diamond bracelets and gem-laden necklaces inside. She selected a rose-gold cuff and slipped it onto her arm. It was so big it went all the way up to her shoulder. Swallowing, Melody reached into the box for a pearl ring that she knew was her mother’s lucky ring. She’d recorded every chart-topping album while wearing it. The ring slid off Melody’s pointer finger, so she put it loosely on her thumb, then stood in front of a full-length mirror with gold trimming. She faked a high-pitched laugh, like her mother’s whenever they had company. ‘Why, yes, I am the Melody Trumpet,’ she said to her reflection, putting on a posh voice to rival her mother’s. ‘Yes, daughter of Viola and Barry T Trumpet and heir to the Trumpet throne.’ She curtsied. ‘I am delighted

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