Clementine Rose and the Ballet Break-In 8 by Jacqueline Harvey

Author:Jacqueline Harvey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2015-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

A few minutes after the concert hall began to empty, Tasha knocked on the door and poked her head in. ‘Hello,’ she said brightly. ‘Would you like to follow me, ladies?’

‘Where are we going?’ Clementine asked.

‘Why don’t we let Tasha surprise us, Clementine,’ Aunt Violet suggested.

The young woman led the pair downstairs through a series of doors that were off-limits to the general public. It was a frenzy backstage with ballerinas running down the corridors, stagehands carrying equipment, and people with clipboards shouting into headsets.

‘Just through here,’ Tasha said as she pushed open another door.

Clementine held tightly to Aunt Violet’s hand as the pair were ushered inside. A table in the centre of the room was weighed down with cake stands and platters of sandwiches. There was a small pile of plates and, off to the side, tea, coffee and a jug of lemonade.

‘Everyone should be here soon,’ Tasha said with a smile.

‘Who’s coming?’ Clementine asked.

Tasha glanced at the sheet of paper in her hand. ‘According to this, you’ll be meeting the main characters and a couple of the musicians,’ she replied.

Clementine gulped. ‘Is the bad man coming too?’

‘Yes, but he’s not really a baddie. That’s just part of the show. He’s the sweetest one of all,’ Tasha reassured her. ‘I’ll wait with you until they arrive.’

A moment later the door opened and Clementine hid behind Aunt Violet. A man dressed in black smiled and walked over to them. His feathered cape and scary mask were nowhere to be seen.

‘Hello there,’ he said. ‘I’m Sean McCrae.’

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sean,’ Aunt Violet replied, holding out her hand. ‘That was a marvellous performance.’

Sean peered over Aunt Violet’s shoulder. ‘And who do we have here?’

The old woman gave Clementine a little push.

‘Hello,’ the girl said shyly.

‘You must be Clementine. Ana told me all about you. I’m bringing my wife and boys to your hotel in a couple of weeks’ time. Did you enjoy the ballet?’

Clemmie nodded. ‘Ana said you were coming to stay.’

‘I have to get back upstairs,’ Tasha said. ‘Have fun, Clementine.’

‘Thank you,’ Aunt Violet said as the girl disappeared. Just as she was leaving, a group of ballerinas entered.

‘Thank you,’ Clementine echoed.

‘Hello, you must be Miss Appleby and Clementine,’ said the ballerina who played Odette. ‘I’m Kat, and this is Lydia and Zizi. ‘Sorry we’re late.’

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you all,’ Aunt Violet said, and Clementine gave a little wave.

‘Would you like some lemonade?’ Kat asked them.

‘Yes, please,’ Clementine said. ‘You’re such a good dancer.’

Kat smiled at the girl. ‘Thank you, sweetie.’

‘Please sit down, everyone. Sean’s going to make us all some tea. Aren’t you, Sean?’ Zizi teased. ‘Don’t you think he should, after he spent all afternoon chasing us around the stage and scaring us half to death?’

Clementine giggled. ‘He scared me too.’

‘I’m sorry, Clementine. I didn’t mean it. It’s just my job.’ The man grinned.

Zizi offered Clementine a scone with jam and cream. ‘Is this your first visit to the ballet?’ she asked.

Clementine nodded, sitting down beside Kat and her great-aunt.

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