THE Palais Garnier in Paris was playing host to the latest rising star in the music business – Elle French. She'd already become world-famous after winning on a talent contest in England where she'd totally blown the competition to pieces with her incredible singing voice. To celebrate her success, Elle was doing a grand tour around Europe taking in Paris, Geneva, Rome and Berlin as well as several other places.
Among the many people watching at the sold-out gig in the Palais Garnier was Heidi Rowley, who was taking a special break from her duties with International Rescue to follow Elle on her tour. She was a huge admirer of Elle and her voice as were the Tracy family themselves.
The show was drawing to a close, and the audience watched enchanted as Elle stood on the stage in front of her accompanying orchestra in a bright red dress and sang her final song for the show.
"May it be an evening star, shines down upon you.
May it be when darkness falls, your heart will be true.
You walk down a lonely road. Oh! How far you have come.
Mornie utulie, believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie , a promise lives within you now.
May it be the shadow's call, will fly away.
May it be your journey on, to light the day.
Mornie utulie, believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie, a promise lives within you now.
A promise lives within you now."
The crowd erupted into an enormous cheer and applause. Everyone stood up as an emotional Elle took a bow and started blowing kisses out. "Thank you all so much for coming!" Elle said to the crowd. "I love you all! Good night and au revoir!"
Heidi and the rest of the audience continued to applauded until Elle and the musicians backing her had left the stage.
After returning to her hotel room, Heidi made a call to Tracy Island to tell Daniel how the concert had gone.
"Is she as good as she sounds on the radio?" Daniel asked.
"She more than exceeds that," Heidi said. "I've never been so enchanted by such an incredible voice. Way better than yours." She winked.
Daniel coughed indignantly. "Yes, well, erm," he said. "And you're on the same flight to her next concert tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Yes, I've managed to secure VIP access to the band's personal heli-plane," Heidi said excitedly. "I'm hoping she'll come and talk to me and the other guests during the flight."
"Lucky you," said Daniel with a grin. "I'm not jealous by the way."
Heidi raised her eyebrows as Daniel looked to one side. "Yes, you are. Come on, Daniel, admit it!" she teased.
"Admit?" Daniel answered. "Never heard of such a word!" He winked. "By the way, our guests will be arriving shortly so I'd better make sure everything is in order."
"Guests?" repeated Heidi. "I don't remember you didn't tell me you were having guests? Is it Lady Penelope and Parker?"
"Not this time," said Daniel. "And surely you can't have forgotten that they were coming, can you? Actually, scratch that – you wouldn't have booked leave to go and see Elle French if you'd remembered."
Heidi was very confused. "Clearly I have," she said. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. I must get some sleep. Goodnight, Daniel."
"Goodnight, Heidi," said Daniel. "Sleep tight and have a safe flight."
"Thank you," said Heidi. But after Daniel signed off, Heidi went over to the bed in her hotel room. She was just lying down when a forgotten memory suddenly came flooding back to her – the identity of the visitors to Tracy Island. "Oh, noooooooooooooo!" she exclaimed as she covered her face in disbelief.
5! (DUN)
4! (DUN)
3! (DUN)
2! (DUN)
1! (ENGINE ROARS)
*Thunderbirds theme plays*
"THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!"