Читать книгу Magic Ballerina 13-18 - Darcey Bussell - Страница 11

The cold water made Holly gasp as she splashed into the river. She tried to tread water, gulping a mouthful of air as the current started to tow her along.

“Help!”

The White Cat had reached the top of the bank. Holly could see he looked terrified, but he didn’t hesitate. He bounded down the bank on all fours and launched himself into the water, swimming like a tiger. Grabbing hold of the back of her leotard in his mouth, he pulled her swiftly back.

“You saved me!” cried Holly as he dragged her out on to the bank.

“Oh, my glimmering whiskers!” he gasped. “I thought you were going to drown!”

“You were so brave.” Holly put her arms round him in relief and hugged him hard.

“Thank you!”

The cat licked her face with his rough tongue. “You’re very wet. I hope Red Riding Hood has some clothes you can borrow. Come on!”

It only took them a few minutes to reach Red Riding Hood’s little wooden cottage, but when they got there they found, to their surprise, that it was all closed up.

“I wonder why she isn’t here?” said the White Cat looking puzzled.

“Maybe she called in on some friends on the way back,” Holly suggested. She was very cold and had started to shiver.

The White Cat noticed. “I’ll find her later. Right now, we’d better get back to the Royal Palace and get you some dry clothes. I’ll take us there by magic.” He held his long tail in his hand and swished it around in a circle on the ground. Then he pulled Holly into the circle. “Get ready!” he cried. His whiskers twitched. Silver sparkles flew off them and suddenly they were whizzing away!

His magic set them down in a large walled courtyard in front of a beautiful palace with pointed turrets and pearly white walls.

“Welcome to the Royal Palace!” declared the White Cat.

“Oh … wow!” Holly breathed, looking round.

There was a group of dancers talking near the front door, a band of musicians, and servants setting out tables in the afternoon sun.

“Wait here a minute.” The cat bounded energetically into the palace and reappeared a few seconds later with a long velvet cloak. He wrapped it around Holly. “There, that should warm you up!”

“Thanks,” she said gratefully, snuggling into it. She couldn’t stop staring at the dancers across the courtyard. They were all characters she knew from the ballet of Sleeping Beauty – the fairies, the bluebird, Puss in Boots, Bluebeard and the enchanted princess. A few of them had noticed her arrival and were pointing.

One of the fairies ran over. She had dark brown hair caught up in a diamond tiara, a lilac tutu and glittering wings.

“Hi I’m Lila, the Lilac Fairy – Princess Aurelia’s fairy godmother. Are you the new owner of the ballet shoes?” she asked.

Holly nodded. “I’m Holly.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.” The fairy’s face was worried. She turned to the White Cat. “We’ve got a real problem, Cat.”

“I know, Lila,” he said airily. “But don’t worry. The shoes have solved it. Holly can dance Red Riding Hood’s part.”

Lila shook her head. “No. You don’t understand.” She lowered her voice. “Goldilocks has gone too!”

“What?”

“Sssh,” Lila said hastily as several of the other dancers looked round at the cat’s loud exclamation. “I’ve been keeping it secret. No one else knows yet, but I found a note five minutes ago saying she’s gone home.” She lowered her voice further. “I’m really worried. They can’t both just have decided to go home. Oh, Cat. I think the Wicked Fairy might be to blame.”

“The Wicked Fairy?” Holly joined in.

The White Cat looked horrified. “The Wicked Fairy is the one who tried to spoil Aurelia’s sixteenth birthday, by making her prick her finger on a spinning wheel that would make her sleep for a hundred years,” he explained.

Lila bit her lip. “Look, I think trouble is afoot here, but I need to ask the King something before I say any more. Wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.” She ran inside.

The White Cat frowned. “I wonder what she’s going to ask the King. Hmm, I think I’m going to go in and find out. You stay here Holly, I’ll be back very soon.”

And leaving Holly in the courtyard, he hurried inside too.