Out of My Dreams

Miss Gertie protests, but Melody finally convinces her to take the stage by talking about bravery. Backstage, Miss Gertie worries that she won’t remember the lines. Melody pulls up a copy of Romeo and Juliet on Elvira and runs lines with Miss Gertie. As she does, Melody gets swept up in the emotion and plot of the play.

Melody and Mrs. V get a little teary when they see how well the Globe is set up for wheelchairs. Melody loves the theater’s history and connection to Shakespeare. Before the play starts, Mr. Hammond announces Miss Gertie as a special guest, and the crowd goes wild. Melody thinks of the beautiful writing about love in the play and wonders if she will ever fall in love herself.

Miss Gertie is a natural in the play. Melody, Sky, and Mrs. V all cry at the end, and Miss Gertie receives five curtain calls. After the show, everybody is bursting with joy as Mr. Hammond takes them on a backstage tour of the theater. Melody feels a little guilty about being so late to ride with Teddy, but he waits for them the whole time. Teddy cannot believe that he missed Miss Gertie’s performance, but she gets his phone number and offers to call him the next time she performs. He offers to take Miss Gertie and Mrs. V for fish-and-chips, and Mrs. V mischievously accepts.

Teddy takes them past the Tower of London. Melody wishes to see this landmark more closely, but Mrs. V isn’t sure whether it is wheelchair-accessible. When they get back to the hotel, everyone feels the jet lag, so they order room service on Channel 12’s dime. Sky gets a call from Oliver and is surprised to learn that Sky’s parents got them tickets to see Double Trouble, Melody and Sky’s favorite band, the next day.

Before the concert, Melody stops by the London Library. She considers libraries to be her happy place. Miss Gertie explains that this library was damaged during World War II and has since been rebuilt. The library has over a million books and 19 miles of shelving. Melody buys a tote bag to give to Mrs. V as a thank-you gift for all of her help.

When the group stops by Trafalgar Square, Melody can’t climb the steps with Sky, but she encourages Sky to go up and take a picture. Melody squeals with delight and feels even more excited when she hears the otherworldly sound of a bagpipe from across the square.

Miss Gertie takes them for high tea. Melody loves the beautiful china teacups and three-tiered dessert platters. Next, Sky suggests shopping.

The King’s Road shops are expensive, so Mrs. V suggests a thrift shop. Sky finds Melody a pair of Doc Martens, and both girls pick out new outfits for the concert. Melody is so excited for the concert that she can barely eat. They get ready for the concert and head out.

The line for the concert is full of excited teenagers. Melody worries that she will accidentally bash someone’s knee in the crowd, but Oliver helps her to maintain her space. When they finally get to the front of the line, the ticket collector calls for the manager, and Melody’s heart sinks. The manager explains that the concert hall is not wheelchair-accessible and says that Melody is not allowed in due to safety regulations. Oliver offers to carry her in, but the manager informs them that it wouldn’t be safe for her to be there if an emergency were to occur. Melody tells Sky and Oliver to go to the concert and resolves to leave, but Sky refuses to attend the concert without Melody.

Melody feels like she is drowning in anger, guilt, embarrassment, and jealousy. Oliver tries to cheer her up and apologize, but Melody insists that the situation isn’t his parents’ fault. She blinks back tears.

Back in the hotel lobby, Melody breaks down, feeling guilty that she cost her friends the experience of attending the concert. As they get into the elevator, someone comes rushing in behind them, and Melody is shocked to see Ian Murphy, one of the performers in Double Trouble. Ian asks if they are all right. Oliver, Sky, and Melody haltingly explain that they were turned away from the concert due to accessibility issues. Ian wants to make amends, so he invites them all to ride up to the penthouse with him as he calls his manager. He talks to the manager about an upcoming recording session.

Melody and Sky talk over each other as they try to explain to Mrs. V and Miss Gertie that although they were turned away from the concert, Ian has invited them to a recording session. Melody and Sky are excited that they will get to hear a new Double Trouble song before anyone else does. Mrs. V reminds Melody that she has the I.D.E.A. conference in the morning. Melody worries about the conference and wonders what she can contribute to it. She finally asks Mrs. V why they chose her for the conference, and Mrs. V reminds Melody that she is smart, brave, and curious. She also emphasizes that Melody has important ideas to contribute and can help people to understand her perspective. Melody feels better.

On the morning of the conference, Melody feels overwhelmed as she thinks about other famous people with disabilities who have accomplished great things and wonders if she is anything like them. Sky wakes up and comforts Melody, explaining that Melody is experiencing imposter syndrome. Sky admits that she often feels like she doesn’t belong, but she doesn’t want to complain about her situation because her parents are helping so many people. Melody encourages Sky to share her feelings with her parents.

Miss Gertie makes plans to see other family members and to take Sky to Bath for the day. She thanks Melody again for helping her to reconnect with her family back and reclaim her old life. Miss Gertie tells Melody that she plans to move back to London, but she also promises to visit.