Читать книгу Darcey Bussell’s World of Magic Ballerina - Darcey Bussell - Страница 13

Delphie ran over and turned the handle of a door at the side of the hall. It opened into a small room which seemed to be used for keeping firewood. “In here!” she gasped.

Just as they were about to go in, Sugar waved her wand at the table. There was a tinkling sound and she magicked up another Nutcracker doll. “I’ll put this on the table in front of the boxes so that they won’t realise the real nutcracker has gone.”

Delphie and Sugar dived into the room and peeped back round the door just in time. Two mice hurried into the hall. One was dressed with boots and a sword like the mice outside had been. The other was wearing a smart waistcoat with gold buttons. He looked very relieved when he saw the fake Nutcracker on the table in front of the boxes. “Lucky for you that the Nutcracker’s still here. King Rat’s been ever so pleased since he turned him into a toy.

He was going to use the quick-drying glue in those boxes to stick all those horrible dancers to the ground but he doesn’t have to now. No one can dance while the Nutcracker’s a prisoner here.” He glowered at the other mouse. “So, stay where you are and don’t let anyone past!”

The other mouse nodded and the Sergeant strode out.

Sugar looked scared. “If that mouse stays outside the door then we’re trapped in here!”

“Maybe there’s another way out.” Delphie looked around. But there were no windows or other doors in the little room.

“If only we could bring the Nutcracker back to life, he would be able to help us fight our way out,” Sugar said.

“Can’t you use your magic to make him come alive again?” Delphie asked hopefully.

Sugar shook her head. “King Rat’s powers are too strong while we’re inside the castle. Only really powerful magic will turn him back.”

Suddenly Delphie heard Madame Za-Za’s words from that afternoon echo in her head: The real magic of the ballet comes from telling a story and making the audience believe in that story. Never forget that – always believe in it.