While writing Hopelessly Devoted To You, this idea popped into my head and I just had to write it down. 🤭 I hope you like it.
Thanks again to my brilliant girlfriend theangelscry for inspiring me and translating everything for me. ❤️🫶🏻
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A hotel in Malmö January 1968
"Fältskog, good evening, I've booked a room."
Agnetha gave the receptionist a disarming smile and let her eyes wander over the somewhat outdated reception desk while he searched for her reservation. The hotel seemed to be well frequented, with only a few keys still waiting on the wooden key wall to be allocated to guests.
Luckily they had booked early enough. It was by far the closest hotel. She would only have to cross the road the next morning to reach the studio where her first TV appearance was being filmed.
Just as she was wondering whether any other artists who would be appearing with her in Studio 8 tomorrow were staying at her hotel, a woman entered the lobby. Agnetha recognised her immediately. She vividly remembered sitting in front of the television with her family and watching Hyland's Hörna when the winner of the previous talent contest was introduced.
"Her technique is incredible." Her father had said approvingly. But Agnetha, who was usually the one to discuss musical topics with him, had remained silent, her eyes fixed firmly on the screen.
"But she's not particularly likeable." She heard her sister say next to her. She tried to block them both out so as not to miss a second or a note of her performance. Agnetha had seen many talented singers before, but there was something about this woman that fascinated her beyond her talent and triggered something in her that she couldn't put her finger on. A strange, familiar feeling.
"What was her name again?" Her mum asked after the performance was over and this time Agnetha was the one to answer.
"Anni-Frid Lyngstad."
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Back in the present, Agnetha tried hard to keep a friendly but confident expression on her face that would not reveal her fascination.
"Good evening." Anni-Frid greeted her rather than the receptionist, who was still busy searching.
Agnetha returned her greeting and was just wondering whether she should say more when Anni-Frid beat her to it.
"You're Agnetha, aren't you?
"Yes."
"I saw your picture in the paper. I'm Frida, hello."
Frida. Agnetha knew several Friedas and she had never particularly liked the name. But with her it sounded soft and gentle and it felt special in a way to be able to call her that. Personal.
She shook Frida's hand and looked at her with shy eyes. Noticed something in her gaze that she couldn't put her finger on. Something strangely familiar, recognisable.
She had recognised her. Frida Lyngstad had recognised her. They were now colleagues. For a moment, Agnetha felt as if the world was open to her. As if there was nothing she couldn't achieve.
Then the moment was over.
"Mrs Fältskog?"
Agnetha let go of Frida's hand, which she had held for a moment too long, and turned back to the receptionist.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't find a reservation under your name. Have you perhaps made a reservation under a different name?"
