‘It isn’t your mum telling you, or your dance teacher, or anyone else forcing you to do it,’ I’d said to him. ‘It’s just me, asking you. We’ll have lots of practice by then. And I really want all my friends at Silver Shoes to see what a great dance partner I have.’
That last bit made me embarrassed and I couldn’t look at him when I’d said it.
But he’d agreed!
‘Keep it a secret,’ I said. ‘I want it to be a surprise. For my mum and my friends and everyone. I’ll just tell everyone else I’m doing a solo. Only Miss Caroline will know.’
So that was one secret I was keeping.
But I had another.
One I hoped would make my best friend very, very happy.
Chapter Sixteen
The butterflies in my tummy were almost as big as when I had a performance.
‘You have a great time, sweetie,’ Mum called to me out the car window. She nodded at the present I had in my hands. ‘Ellie will love it.’
She blew me a kiss and drove off. It was just me and my second secret.
That I was coming to Ellie’s eleventh birthday party, after all.
Right now Ellie thought I was at the ballroom competition. But there was no way I was going to miss my best friend’s birthday.
So I’d decided to surprise her. I’d made Riley and Ash keep the secret, too. Ellie and I had been talking all this week at Silver Shoes, and things were almost back to normal at school. But I knew she was disappointed that I couldn’t make it to her party.
It was hard to keep a secret from my best friend, especially when I knew if I told her, she’d be back to her laughing, loving, hugging self.
But the surprise would make it all worth it.
‘Don’t forget you have to wear pink,’ Ash had reminded me. ‘The invitation was very clear about that. And it’s a dance party. So who knows what that means, but don’t wear uncomfortable shoes.’
I was wearing a long, pale pink fuzzy sweater with a ballerina in the corner, over black tights and my pink and silver ballet flats. Ellie had given me the sweater last Christmas. The funny thing was that I’d given her the same one, only in hot pink.
I tucked Ellie’s present under my arm and headed round the side of the house, along the path where we’d played chasings a million times and been in trouble for squashing Mrs Irvin’s lilies.
The music coming from the backyard was a mix of Ellie’s favourite pop songs and musical theatre tunes. When I rounded the corner my face broke out in the hugest smile. The backyard had been Ellie-fied.
Pink balloons and glittery streamers had been added wherever they would fit – they were flying off Ellie’s little brother’s swing set, the fence, the benches and the garden gnomes.
Mrs Irvin’s gazebo was covered in pink fairy lights and there were posters of Ellie’s favourite dancers covering the walls. Next to the gazebo a makeshift dance floor had been set up, and in the corner of the garden Ellie’s old dance costumes were hanging off the washing line.
I stood looking at it all, so happy to be there. I spotted Ellie over by the dance floor, surrounded by girls from school. She was in her favourite place – the centre of attention. And she was wearing her pink sweater, too.
Someone knocked into me, growling like a dinosaur. I looked down.
‘Paige!’ screamed Lucas, Ellie’s little brother. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
‘Paige!’ yelled out Riley and Ash, jumping up from the swing set. Ash almost got knocked out by a balloon. ‘You’re here!’
‘Paige?’ said Ellie. She stared at me from where she was standing.
‘Hi,’ I gave a small wave. Suddenly I felt very shy.
‘Grrrrrrrr,’ growled Lucas. He looked back at me and Ellie. ‘You’re matching!’
‘Paige!’ Ellie said again.
And then she came rushing towards me and gave me the biggest hug. It had to be at least three weeks’ worth.
‘Oww!’ cried Lucas, squished between us.
‘You made it!’ Ellie said.
‘Of course I did.’
‘But the ballroom competition?’
I shrugged. ‘I’d rather be here.’
Ellie hugged me again. ‘I’m so glad that you are,’ she said. ‘It wouldn’t have been the same without you.’
‘Everything looks great,’ I said.
Ellie pointed at my sweater, laughing. ‘You look great.’
I giggled. ‘So do you.’
‘What about me?’ asked Lucas.
‘You look gorgeous!’ said Ash, running in and scooping him up. He squealed and reached out his arms for Riley. ‘Welcome to the party, Paige.’
‘Happy Birthday, Ellie,’ I said.
Phew. One secret down.
One to go.
Chapter Seventeen
Mid-year showcase time!
Silver Shoes was turned into the performance space of the century, right before our eyes.
There are three main studios at Silver Shoes – two big ones, which are where the main parts of the church used to be, and then a smaller one out the back (where Benji and I had been practising our ballroom).
But then there’s the hall at the side of Silver Shoes, which has a big old raised stage. Lovely swooshy curtains hang down either side of it and a set of stairs at each end lead down into the hall part where the audience sits.
Mum was on the Silver Shoes committee, so of course I was there with her at ten o’clock in the morning, preparing Silver Shoes for the performance that night.
First I had to help her line up the costume racks in the ballroom studio, which was going to be our dressing room (our usual one was just too small). Then I had to check that every single costume was there, and go hunting in the crowded costume closet for missing bows and felt hats.
Next she tried to get me to help make the sandwiches for lunch, but I quickly passed that off to Ellie, who laughed and said I’d better watch out because she’d put snails in mine.
Then, along with Riley (who got into the masterclass, by the way!), I had to help put out all the seats in the hall, after we’d swept the floors with this massive broom. But we were quickly sent away because we started trying to sweep each other up instead.
Finally I had to go and help Ash decorate the reception area. And all this while I was on and off of the stage, rehearsing the dances and going through the running order.
Well, every dance but my secret one. I’d tucked my costume away in the corner of the costume room. I couldn’t wait to dance in it for the first time.
There was this amazing feeling of excitement in all the halls and studios, of the teachers, parents and students preparing for the mid-year showcase at Silver Shoes. Everyone couldn’t wait to perform what they’d been working on all year. I felt happy, and I wanted to perform and dance tonight. It was such a great feeling to have back.
All too soon we were being hurried into the third studio to get ready for the performance. The older girls at Silver Shoes were looking after the tinies, playing games with them and doing their make-up. They were soooo cute! One group was dressed in dinosaur onesies for their dance, the ‘Dinosaur Stomp’.
‘Oh gosh,’ said Ellie. ‘After seeing this, Lucas is gonna want to join Silver Shoes, I just know it.’
‘He’d be a great dancer,’ I said, applying my eyeliner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone poke their head around the studio door. ‘Oh!’ I said. ‘Back in a sec. Just have to … check my costume.’
I ran out and down the hall.
‘Benji?’ I whispered.
He stepped out from behind an old wall heater. ‘What’s up?’ he asked. ‘I came round the back, like you said.’
‘Thank you so much for doing this!’ I was so excited, I gave him a hug.
‘Oh,’ he stammered. ‘Yeah … that’s cool. Yeah. It’ll be fun.’
‘Really?’ I asked.
‘Yep.’ He nodded. ‘No, really. I’m glad you asked me. It’ll be good practice for w
hen we win that next ballroom comp, right?’
‘Well, we have improved!’ I said. ‘I’m so glad my friends will get to see you dance. Everyone’s gonna want you to join Silver Shoes, now.’
Benji shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about it,’ he said with a smile.
I clapped my hands. ‘The program says we’re on near the end of the first act. So just hang around if you like. If anyone asks, say you’re helping out.’
‘Cool,’ said Benji. He grinned. ‘Thanks, Paige.’
The next hour passed so quickly. It was a blur of dancing on stage and changing costumes. First I was in Birdy’s ‘Skinny Love’ for my lyrical class. We wore these elaborate medieval-style velvet dresses and Miss Caroline’s idea for the dance was to ‘imagine we were butterflies, or a dying shooting star, and this was our last grasp at life’.
Things cheered up when we did Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ for jazz. Our costume was a bright glittery shift dress, and the dance was set in the 1960s motown era, with lots of claps, swinging and grooving. What a difference to be in the moment, enjoying myself, and knowing exactly what I had to do, instead of worrying about my waltz!
Before I knew it, it was almost waltz time. I rushed into the costume room to get ready for my surprise ballroom performance with Benji.
Gosh. I’d forgotten how beautiful the dress was. As soon as I pulled it on and was surrounded by all the layers of yellow and gold, and the little butterflies and beads, I felt like I was a part of something special and that the dress would become an extension of my movements.
‘Wow,’ said a voice. ‘You look amazing.’
I turned to see my tin soldier, Benji, waiting for me by the door.
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘You look very handsome.’
This time he blushed!
He gave a silly little bow and I took his arm and got ready to complete surprise number two.
Chapter Eighteen
Dancing my waltz with Benji on the Silver Shoes stage, I realised it was probably the first time I actually really loved ballroom.
And do you know why?
It wasn’t just because all my friends and the people I loved were watching me.
Or because there was no pressure to win anything.
Or because, for once, I actually felt like I knew the routine I was performing.
It was because I wanted to be there. I was excited to show off my dancing, and what I’d worked so hard learning.
And because I was having fun.
I remembered why dancing was such a magical thing.
As soon as our waltz music, ‘Greensleeves’, began playing, a silence fell over the audience. I started my fouetté turns, and every time I went around I caught a sparkle from the butterflies in my hair.
After I couldn’t fouetté anymore, and I had collapsed on the ground (acting, of course!), out came Benji as the tin soldier.
He picked me up and we went into our closed hold. Just before he began to lead into our driving step, he did the biggest, cheekiest grin, like he was about to have the best time.
My heart melted, or maybe it was the fairy ballerina’s. And we began to waltz.
It really seemed like Benji and I were going round and round in a music box. Sometime during our dance I noticed Ellie, Riley and Ash had come to the side of the stage. They were huddled in the wings, watching us.
Forget about box steps and underarm right turns, whisks and promenade to close. It was just the story of the fairy ballerina and her tin soldier. There was also this new, nice feeling that I hadn’t had before.
It was trust. Trusting your partner. I finally knew what Fleur meant when she kept calling out, ‘Paige, Benji! Where is your connection? You must have connection!’
Connection didn’t mean touching someone. It meant trusting them. And ballroom made that really clear.
Mum had found a version of ‘Greensleeves’ where the music at the end actually slowed down in tempo, like it does when the music box runs out.
Benji and I began to turn slower and slower, until eventually I stopped moving and stood still. Benji bowed to me, as if to thank me for the dance, and then the lights faded as he walked offstage.
I blinked. I took a big breath. I stood in the darkness, slowly becoming Paige again, and not the fairy ballerina.
Then Benji was fumbling for my hand and the lights came back on. We walked to the front of the stage for our bows.
Fleur and Miss Caroline were clapping and cheering louder than anyone. Miss Caroline tipped me a wink that said, ‘You pulled it off, Paige!’
Mum was sitting next to them. When I caught her eye, she put one hand on her chest and blew me a kiss.
Her eyes were teary and I realised she was doing an embarrassing Mum cry. Usually it’s Riley’s mum who does that. It’s kind of a joke between us four girls – whose mum will cry this time?
Speaking of us four girls, suddenly Benji and I were surrounded by the excited cheers of Ellie, Riley and Ash. Even before we’d got offstage they were jumping all over us and squeezing us to bits.
Poor Benji.
But that’s how it was at Silver Shoes.
And I never wanted to be anywhere else.
Paige Montreal
Full name: Paige Elizabeth Montreal
Nickname: Paigey
Age: 10
Favourite dance styles: Lyrical and ballroom
Best friend: Ellie
Family: Mum and Dad
Favourite colours: Yellow and emerald green
Favourite food: Jelly snakes, raisin toast
Favourite school subject: Art
Hobbies: Dancing, writing stories, drawing, art and craft (I help Mum make her jewellery!), collecting Cabbage Patch dolls
What I want to be when I grow up: Dancer or teacher
Best dancing moment: When Ellie and I did a ‘Beach Babes’ duo as tinies and became best friends
Things I love: Dancing, going on holidays to tropical Queensland, playing with our puppy Brie, staying over at Ellie’s house, cooking dinner with Dad when Mum has a ‘girls’ night’, sleeping in (and Ellie wants me to say ‘Benji’, but I won’t!)
How to do a Perfect Closed Hold
The closed hold is the most common hold in ballroom dancing. Partners stand facing each other, with the man’s right hand on the lady’s back, near her left shoulder blade. The couple’s other hands are clasped together around chest- or shoulder-height.
Tip
Stand tall, with your head up and shoulders relaxed.
How to do a Perfect Promenade Hold
The promenade hold is a V-shaped position with the man’s left side and the lady’s right side slightly open, allowing the couple to walk forward. The man’s head should be turned to the left; the lady’s to the right. Hand positions are the same as for a closed hold.
Tip
To begin, make sure your feet are in third position rather than first or second.
Glossary
Hello! Below are some terms you will come across in both ballet and ballroom. Because I’m new to ballroom, I’m still learning some of them too. Ballet is a great grounding for a lot of steps you will do in ballroom, especially once you get into the tango, salsa and paso doble. A good posture never goes astray! Apart from technique and energy, in ballroom what makes a really good dancer is a strong connection to your partner – it helps if they’re cute, like mine!
Love, Paige
arabesque to position yourself on one leg, with your other leg raised straight behind your body at 90 degrees or higher
battement a beating action of your extended or bent leg
box step a basic dance step named after the pattern it creates on the floor, which is like a square or a box
brisé a jump where you sweep one leg into the air while jumping off your other, then bring both legs together in the air and beat them before landing on both feet
chassé to glide smoothly, either to the back, side or front
/> closed hold a basic ballroom dance hold where the man places his hand on the lady’s back, the lady holds the man’s shoulder, and the other two hands are clasped at chest/shoulder height
coupé a linking step where your working foot cuts in front of your supporting foot
demi plié to bend your knees. A grande plié is when you bend your knees fully and your body is lowered to the floor
driving step the first or leading step when going into the box step
entrechat to jump in the air from two feet, then beat your legs together in the air and land either on one or both feet
five positions the foundation of all ballet work; all jumps, leaps and steps will start from any of the simple five positions
fondu this means ‘to melt’ – to stand on one foot while bending one leg and extending the other at the same time
fouetté to stand on one leg and change direction of your hip and body while keeping your leg in the same place
pirouette to turn
port de bras this means ‘carriage of the arms’ and is the movement of your arms to different positions. It may seem simple, but you have to work really hard to make it seem graceful, poised and seamless
posse from a fondu, you step with a straight leg onto a demi pointe or en pointe, then bring your working leg into coupé
promenade a V-shaped dance position where the partners travel in the same direction, closed at one end and open at the other
Dance Till you Drop Page 5
