Let the Dance Begin (7 page)

Cassie was pleased to see her, and also relieved that Sandrine was not there. Her presence at the auditions had made her wonder if she was going to be closely involved with the school.

Cassie looked at the large sprite, wearing a bright orange dress, sitting next to Madame Rosa and immediately thought about Rubus’s sand surfer with the wind billowing through its
sails.

‘That’s Mrs Sandskrit,’ Lexie whispered, following her eyes. ‘Doesn’t she look grand! She designs all her own outfits. She will be teaching us dance technique.
I’ve heard there’s no one better.’

‘Who is the tiny sand sprite with the large glasses?’ Cassie asked

‘That’s Miss Youngsand Snr. She knows every Rule in
The Sands of Time
off by heart, and that’s her twin sister, Miss Youngsand Jnr. She has spent her entire life
studying the science of sand dunes.’ Lexie nodded towards a slightly larger copy of her sister who was moving from table to table with a large tray of laver bread.

‘Here you are! I’m starving,’ Shell said in a loud voice. She sat down opposite Cassie and started to help herself to some soup and bread.

There was a gasp from many sprites and Madame Rosa’s calm voice rang out across the hall. ‘It is more polite to wait until we are all ready.’

Shell froze, and slowly put her bowl back on the table. ‘Please forgive me.’

Madame Rosa nodded. ‘You are tired after your journey. That can be the only explanation for such rudeness.’ She stood up to address the school and clapped her hands, making her
bracelets jangle. ‘Welcome, everyone, to Sandringham Dance School. Your dancing life begins today. It will not be an easy life. You will have to work harder than you have ever done before.
Learning to dance is a pleasure, but it is also painful as each of you strives for perfection. A sand dancer must always be the best she can be in thought, word and deed. We are renowned throughout
the natural world for our dancing, just as the sand farers are famed for their ability to travel over great distances. It is a great honour to be here. I hope each and every one of you is up to the
challenge.’ She scanned the room and it seemed as if her violet eyes met those of each sand sprite. Cassie felt the skin on the back of her neck prickle. Would she be able to follow in her
mother’s dance steps?

Miss Youngsand Snr spoke next. ‘One of my responsibilities is to care for your health. You will all be given a bottle of special sea salts to bathe your feet in at the end of each day. I
expect you to eat well, go to sleep early and look after yourselves. You cannot dance if you are not healthy. Anyone looking peaky will be given a spoonful of my famous tonic.’ She held up a
large bottle, which appeared to be filled with green slime. Everyone groaned.

Mrs Sandskrit then told them about the exercises book as she handed them out. ‘Write your name in them and look after them well. There are spaces at the back for all your dance
certificates and grades.’

Miss Youngsand Jnr peered out at them from behind her large spectacles as she spoke next. ‘Each sand dancer will be given a sandbag to keep their sand slippers and exercises books in. In
my sewing classes you will be able to personalise them.’

Finally Madame Rosa said, ‘I think that is enough information for one night. Now, you may all begin your supper.’

The room began to buzz with chatter and the noise of soup being poured into bowls.

Cassie sighed and put her spoon down after a few mouthfuls. ‘I’m too excited to eat much.’

‘And I’m too embarrassed,’ said Shell. ‘What was I thinking of helping myself like that?’

With one swift move, Lexie swapped her now-empty bowl with Shell’s. ‘I can see that neither of you have ever had to fight for your share of food.’

‘Looks like we’re going to have to learn,’ laughed Shell as they watched as Lexie slurp up all the soup.

Instantly Lexie kneeled down on the floor next to the small sand dancer. ‘Are you all right?’

Cassie joined her. ‘What’s your name?’

Shell added. ‘And why are you snivelling?’

Lexie prodded Shell. ‘Don’t speak to her like that.’

Shell looked puzzled. ‘I’m only trying to find out what’s the matter.’

‘Let Lexie try’ Cassie pulled Shell back.

The sand sprite wiped her eyes. ‘I’m Gentianella. Everyone calls me Ella for short, and I’m really happy to be here, but every time I think about home I start to
cry!’

Lexie smiled. ‘You need to know about the Present Rule. My mother taught it to me. It’s very useful at times like this.’

Ella wiped away a tear and looked up.

Lexie continued. ‘You have to focus on being in the present. You have a place at the Sandringham Dance School. How exciting is that? Then you have to close your eyes and imagine that
everyone at home is here with you sharing in your excitement.’

Ella closed her eyes and after a while wiped away a tear. ‘I do feel a bit better.’

Lexie stood up and, reaching out a hand, helped Ella on to her feet. ‘These are my friends Cassie and Shell. We’ll look out for you.’

‘But you’re all so grown-up. I am only eight.’ Ella frowned.

‘Not so grown-up that we can’t invite you to have a friendship squeeze.’ Cassie opened her arms and they all hugged.

‘Thank you,’ Ella said. ‘I feel so much better.’

Shell smiled. ‘Now off you go and don’t forget this.’ She handed Ella her exercises book. ‘You’re going to need all the help you can get.’

Ella’s face crumpled again as she began to wail. ‘I’ll never be able to remember all the steps.’

‘Great job,’ Cassie hissed to Shell.

‘What did I do?’ Shell said, bemused.

Lexie and Cassie both laughed.

‘I hope your dancing is better than your social graces!’ Cassie said, smiling.

Chapter Nine

‘Never let your thoughts drift
in a sandstorm.’
The Sands of Time

When Cassie woke the
next morning she smiled to herself as she remembered where she was. Her first day at dance school!

She got out of bed and stretched her arms and legs. Then she washed and dressed carefully. Her fingers trembled as she plaited her hair. In less than an hour she would be taking part in her
first dance class. Her tummy began to wobble with nerves. Would she be good enough? Would everyone else be much better than her?

She splashed cold water on her face and gave herself a good talking to.

‘Come on, Cassie. Stop worrying. Don’t think too much. You’ll be fine,’ she said as she gazed at her expression in the mirror. She still looked a bit scared. She tried to
smile, but that only made her look fierce.

The practice outfit fitted her perfectly. How clever Euphorbia was to make it without even measuring her, she thought. When she looked in the mirror again the dress had transformed her. It made
her stand straight and she didn’t look quite so afraid. She hoped her aunt was right when she’d said the more perfect the dress the more perfect the steps. She suddenly felt a lot
better.

She walked over to the peephole, opened it and looked out at the view over Dreamy Dune and beyond. Despite her obvious intent to make her miserable, Calluna had done her a favour by allocating
her this room. She could always escape down the rope ladder when she felt things were getting on top of her.

She smiled to herself as she made her way out of her room, down the stepladder and along the corridor to Shell’s room.

She tugged on the curtain and popped her head through to see Shell still curled up in bed. ‘Hurry up! You’ve got exactly six and a half minutes to be up and dressed and ready for
breakfast.’

‘Lexie told me I’d be late for breakfast too. I think she’s already gone down. Let’s skip eating and be early for class instead of late for breakfast.’ Shell
yawned. ‘Your dress looks amazing. It’s nearly as nice as mine. Would you pass it to me? It’s hanging by the wall.’

When Cassie saw Shell’s dress she let out a long whistle. ‘This looks like real gold thread.’

Shell slipped it on. ‘Do you think it’s too showy? Sandrine had them made for me because I was representing the palace.’

Cassie nodded. ‘It’ll certainly get you noticed.’

‘Then I’ll put something else on. I hate being the centre of attention.’ Shell took out a simpler outfit from her trunk. ‘I’ll wear this one instead.’

They crept down the stairs and past the dining hall where Cassie tried to ignore the smell of crispy fried seaweed. They opened the large double doors that led to the dance studio. There was a
lobby with long benches and hooks to hang your shoes on.

The dance studio was chilly and their footsteps echoed on the finely polished driftwood floor. The walls were covered in mirrors, but some of them were tarnished and the paint around the edges
was peeling.

Shell poked her head inside and sniffed. ‘It’s not very grand. We have store cupboards at the palace that are finer than this!’

Cassie looked at the floor. ‘We’d better put on our dancing slippers,’ she said.

They both sat on a long bench and put on their slippers. As she stared down at the careful stitching Cassie’s hands trembled. It wasn’t just because it was cold. It suddenly hit her
that her mother had once danced in this room and maybe even in these shoes. She quickly stood up and joined Shell, who preening herself in one of the many mirrors. Cassie poked out her tongue at
her in the mirror.

‘Call that a face?’ Shell pulled down her eyelids and grimaced.

‘Gross!’ Cassie said, pretending to be shocked.

‘There you are!’ Lexie followed them into the room. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you!’

‘This room smells damp.’ Shell sniffed as she put her arms around her shoulders.

‘It’s full of memories of other dancers,’ said Lexie. ‘They will guide us.’

Shell started doing a jerky dance. ‘I can feel myself being controlled!’

Lexie and Cassie copied her as they moved around the room.

‘I thought you must be here. I looked for you in the dining hall this morning.’ Lexie sounded disappointed.

‘We didn’t feel like eating,’ Shell answered.

‘I ate a big breakfast and I slipped some sea spinach rolls in my pocket, if you want one. And I’ve brought something for Mrs Sandskrit.’ Lexie placed a small package on the
chair.

‘Lexie, that’s great.’ Cassie took one of the spinach rolls and popped it whole into her mouth.

‘Careful – they’re still warm,’ Lexie warned.

Cassie’s cheeks bulged, and Shell pretended to be shocked. ‘Now what would Calluna say if she saw that?’

They all giggled.

Lexie pulled her face into an expression just like Calluna’s, and mimicked her sharp voice. ‘I am shocked that you are eating in the dance studio. Whatever will you try next –
dancing in the dining hall?’

They all shrieked with laughter.

‘That is brilliant. Do it again!’ Shell insisted.

Lexie did an even more over-the-top impersonation. She pulled a grotesque face and said, ‘You have exactly thirty-three seconds to eat your breakfast, dress, dance and don’t forget
to burp!’

They were laughing so hard that they didn’t notice the figure standing in the doorway until it was too late. Calluna walked purposefully across the room and placed some large diagrams
around the room.

Lexie watched her in horror. ‘We were only messing about. I’m really sorry’

Calluna turned slowly towards Lexie and curtesyed. ‘I do everything properly’ she said in a soft voice. ‘And, Lexie, that includes bearing a grudge. Believe me, you will be
sorry’

Cassie reached out and squeezed Lexie’s hand. It was cold and trembling. ‘Oh Cassie,’ Lexie gasped. ‘I feel like I’ve swallowed an iceberg.’

Mrs Sandskrit sailed into the room at that moment, wearing a bright yellow practice outfit that shimmered around her large body like a heat haze in the sun.

She took one look at them and said crisply, ‘You are early’

Shell, Cassie and Lexie looked pleased but Mrs Sandskrit glared back at them. ‘A sand dancer should arrive for her class exactly on time. Too early and she has probably skipped a meal and
is trying to draw attention to herself. Too late and she shows me she is too greedy either for food or extra sleep. If you are to succeed, then absolute discipline is required in all aspects of
your life. Is that clear?’

They all nodded, trying not to giggle.

‘The correct response is “Yes, Madame”. You will stay behind after class and assist the senior sand dancer with the tidying up. You might learn something from her about the
correct way to conduct yourselves.’

Yes, Madame.’ There were no smiles this time.

The other sand sprites were coming into class and listening. When everyone was inside Mrs Sandskrit clapped her hands and the room fell silent.

‘Welcome to your first day at Sandringham. You have all been selected for your potential. We are seeking to find those of you who have got the talent to make it as dune dancers. Here is
where the hard work begins on that journey. We are going back to basics. During your first six weeks here you will be perfecting the seven basic dance moves. At the end of this time you will be
tested, and if you are not good enough or if I decide that you do not have the right temperament, then you will be sent home. There is no point in keeping on sprites who are not suited to dancing.
Is that clear?’

Everyone nodded. ‘Yes, Madame.’

The words dried up in Cassie’s mouth. She hoped she would be able to cope. She stroked one of the flowers on her practice outfit to calm herself.

Mrs Sandskrit paused and looked round at all the sand sprites. ‘Let us not forget that your aim in coming here is to try to become dune dancers – the elite corps of sand dancers. Not all
of you will succeed – some of you will fail. Most of you will make up the chorus, which is still an honour. Only the truly talented will go on to become the principal dune dancers, and from them
the prima dune dancer will be selected. I wonder which of you that will be. The first steps begin today.