But when the rehearsal started, Miss Mallow’s mood quickly turned sour. Mimosa kept forgetting her lines; Lola had failed to learn the Cook’s dance routine; Abi hadn’t memorized the song tunes; and Ollie and Freddie did nothing but giggle in their Ugly Sister scenes.
Miss Mallow was very upset when it turned out that hardly anyone had bothered to do any work on the show; the members of the orchestra hadn’t even practised their instruments. It was now the third week of rehearsals and they were no better than they had been at the first one. Miss Mallow felt extremely let down. What made things even worse was that she had now been embarrassed in front of Madame Angelwing. The dance teacher had lots of experience of putting on shows and had incredibly high standards.
Miss Mallow was also exhausted from working on the musical score with Mr Melody, not to mention discussing the set, scenery and costumes with Saffron and Lavender. She knew that the children couldn’t be expected to stay up late or do as much as her, but she did expect them to learn their parts between rehearsals. After all, she had used the play to make fun class and homework tasks so that they didn’t have too much to do. But she was determined not to give up.
“OK then, we’ll all learn a new dance routine for the ball scene,” she suggested. “This is the most difficult of all the dances, but Madame Angelwing and I think it will be spectacular and certainly worth the effort. We want all of you to weave in and out of each other, dancing an elegant Viennese waltz. Follow Madame’s instructions and concentrate hard, children. I know you can do it! Please don’t let me down. Madame Angelwing, over to you!”
At first, everyone stood up straight and smart as Madame Angelwing explained what they should do. But before long, much to Miss Mallow’s horror, some of the children started to lark around during the dance routine, making fun of Madame and trying out their own steps and ideas instead of following her instructions. Madame Angelwing was shocked. Her girls at the Lavender Lake School of Dance always did as they were told. She had never come across such unruly children – her presence alone was sufficient to silence her ballet girls, and their fear of her disappointment was enough to make them work hard. She didn’t know what to do.
Miss Mallow was hurt that her beloved class were not putting all their efforts into the show and were treating Madame so badly: she soon became very cross indeed.
“Right!” she shouted. “I have tried everything to make this work. But clearly it hasn’t been enough, so that’s it, the show is off! There will be no show. You are not taking it seriously so you do not deserve to be given this opportunity.”
“Aw, Miss Mallow!” protested one child.
“Be quiet, please. I’ve had enough of listening to other people. I’ve done my best, but you haven’t, and I’m sorry that it has come to this,” said Miss Mallow as she began to gather up her things. “I will look forward to seeing you on Monday and I will be glad to return to how we were before the show. And as you leave, please apologize to Madame Angelwing for your extremely rude behaviour.”
The children were in complete shock. They muttered their apologies to Madame Angelwing and went to meet their parents at the school gate. Here they found Miss Mallow telling all the mums and dads what had happened and why.
Their parents were disappointed, and some were rather cross, especially those who had put many precious hours into helping with the show and raising money for the hall. But they respected Miss Mallow and knew she would not have taken such a big decision lightly. They all recognized how important the show was to her and how much time she had dedicated to it.
Chapter Seven
ALL WEEKEND POPPY and her friends wondered what would happen now. One minute they were cross with Miss Mallow for cancelling the show, the next they felt bad because they knew they could have put in more work themselves; but most of all they were angry with the people who had ruined everything by larking around in the rehearsal. Poppy and her friends would never have dared to behave like that in front of Madame Angelwing. It seemed there was nothing to do – nothing to talk about and nothing to look forward to – without the show.
Meanwhile Miss Mallow phoned Saffron.
“Oh, poor you!” said Saffron in disbelief. “I knew you were a bit low last week after the rehearsal, but are you quite sure this is what you want? It does seem a little drastic.”
“I know, but I was so humiliated, and in front of Madame Angelwing as well. I thought my class respected me, but obviously not. I didn’t realize quite what was involved in a show like this – I think it’s just too much for me,” sighed Miss Mallow.
“Of course it’s not. How can I help? Let me think. Maybe if you had the rehearsal on a different day of the week, that might work better?” suggested Saffron softly. “I know I’m always shattered at the end of the week and I’m sure your class is. I expect they are just finding it hard to concentrate. And you are tired out too.”
“Yes, I’m shattered,” agreed Miss Mallow. “It’s so nice to have you to talk to, Saffron. I’ll think it over. Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I’ve been too rash – if we rehearsed at another time when they are fresher, that might just help.”
“Yes, I really think it would, but for now you should just rest. Promise you’ll take it easy over the weekend. Then see how you feel on Monday,” said Saffron.
“OK, Saffron. And thanks!”
“Hey, that’s what I’m here for. Call me any time.”
At school on Monday Miss Mallow felt very much more energetic after a good rest. Although she was still upset and cross about the children’s behaviour, she was sorry that she had called off the show and thought she had maybe been a bit harsh. Deep down she wanted to continue with it, but she didn’t know if the children would want to now. She decided to see how they behaved that morning before she mentioned anything about the show.
Meanwhile, the children were all very sorry for upsetting their teacher and sad that the show they had all been so looking forward to had been cancelled. They were desperate for Miss Mallow to change her mind, but they decided not to say a word about the show until they had worked out whether she was still cross with them. So the teacher and her pupils spent the whole morning acting as if the show had never even existed!
At break, Poppy got the whole class together and told them that she had a plan.
“If we show Miss Mallow that we can work really hard when we try, then maybe she will un-cancel the show!” she began. “So why don’t we practise the song from the first scene at lunch break and surprise Miss Mallow with it this afternoon!”
Everyone agreed that it was a great idea; this time they didn’t even need a vote to come to a decision.
“The only thing is,” said Honey, “I don’t think Miss Mallow wants to do the show any more.”
“Yeah, but if we sing the song really well and show her that we want to do the show more than anything, maybe she will change her mind. We’ve got to try,” replied Poppy. “Let’s meet in the music room after lunch! We’ll practise it there. Abi can play the tune on the piano.”
All through the morning lessons and lunch break, Miss Mallow was unable to concentrate on anything. She simply couldn’t stop wondering what to do about the show. The children hadn’t said a word about it, but she knew them well enough to know it was on their minds.
Maybe I should do something special to show them that I’m sorry for cancelling it, but that I expect them to work hard if they do want it to go ahead, thought Miss Mallow.
She decided to set up a recording machine in the gym with the help of Nick, the janitor. In the first class after lunch she would ask the children to come to the gym and perform the song from the first scene; she would record it, then play it back to them. She would treat them like proper stars – they would see how good they sounded and whether there was room for improvement! That would help to build their confidence: maybe then they would start taking the show more seriously. After the recording, depending on their reaction, she would ask them if they would be willing to car
ry on with it.
During the practice organized by Poppy, everyone was keen to do their very best, even those who had messed around and ruined the last rehearsal. Abi sat at the piano and played the “Poor Cinders” tune perfectly. Poppy arranged everyone in their correct positions.
“Oh, I do hope this persuades Miss Mallow to carry on,” said Honey. “It’s such fun when we all work together.”
Sweetpea agreed. “I just wish I had worked harder before. Every time I tried to rehearse I just kept thinking of the night of the show and sort of daydreaming about it. Now I can see how much hard work we need to do.”
“Come on, you lot,” said Charlie. “Are we doing this song or what?”
This time everyone concentrated hard, and after a few false starts they sang it beautifully.
“We sound brilliant!” Poppy grinned.
When the bell announcing the start of afternoon classes rang, she felt very nervous. “I just hope this works. I couldn’t bear it if the show was off for ever,” she said.
“Oh, Poppy,” said Mimosa, “I’m sure Miss Mallow will be really proud of us – she’ll have to let the show go on.”
Once they were back in class, Poppy kept her fingers crossed behind her back and put up her other hand.
“Yes, Poppy?” said Miss Mallow.
“We have a surprise for you!”
“Ooh, how nice,” said Miss Mallow. “I love surprises. The funny thing is, I have a surprise for you all too! It’s in the gym. Why don’t you tell me about your surprise first.”
“Oh, well, we can do our surprise in the gym too!” said Mimosa.
“All right then, that sounds like a good idea,” said Miss Mallow, wondering what the children could possibly have planned and feeling a little nervous about her surprise for them.
The class were wondering about Miss Mallow’s surprise too. They were all very excited as they raced down to the gym.
“Shall we tell you our surprise first?” asked Poppy.
“Yes, go on then!” smiled Miss Mallow.
“Well, it’s best that we show it actually. We’ve rehearsed the ‘Poor Cinders’ song and we are word perfect – to show you that we can do it when we try!” Poppy explained.
“I don’t believe it!” said Miss Mallow. “My surprise for you is to record you singing that song to show you that you can do it!”
The children laughed.
“So the two surprises are sort of part of one big surprise!” observed Charlie.
“Yes – great minds think alike!” said Miss Mallow.
The children took their places, Miss Mallow pressed RECORD on her machine, Abi sat down at the piano and started playing the introduction, then the whole class sang “Poor Cinders”!
“Poor, poor Cinders, she’s so very down,
Those Ugly, Ugly Sisters really make her frown.
Sweeping up their messes,
Washing all their dresses,
Cooking all their food,
While they are just so rude,
Brushing out their hair,
Folding underwear.
Poor, poor Cinders, she really needs a rest,
When will her father see that she is quite the best?”
Miss Mallow was entranced. The class had put heart and soul into their performance. As they took their bows, she smiled and clapped. She was very impressed – and surprised!
“Thank you, class, for making my day. That was lovely! I am so proud of you – see what a bit of practice can do!”
“It’s so much nicer when she’s not cross with us,” whispered Ollie.
When they got back to their classroom, Miss Mallow played them the recording. Each and every one of them made a vow to practise as much as they could – if Miss Mallow agreed to go on with the show!
“Thank you for preparing that lovely song,” said the teacher. “I’m sorry for getting so angry on Friday. I’m afraid I could see no way forward for the show. However, I’ve thought about it all weekend – and after your lovely performance today I’ve decided that, if you like, we will try again!”
The whole class cheered.
“This time, I think we should meet to rehearse every Saturday morning,” said Miss Mallow. “That way you will be bright and fresh and ready to learn new things. How does that sound?”
“Great!” chimed the children.
“We’re very sorry about our behaviour too, Miss Mallow,” said Freddie.
All the children started to say their own apologies.
“Yeah, sorry, miss!” said Tom.
“We should have tried harder – sorry,” said Sweetpea.
“Hurrah, the show’s back on!” said Poppy.
Chapter Eight
THE SATURDAY MORNING rehearsals were great fun and everyone worked hard over the next few weeks. Poppy and her friends wondered how they had ever existed without this in their lives.
One Saturday, when there was just under two weeks until the big day, and the tickets, posters and programmes were all printed, Nick, the janitor, told Miss Mallow that the builders had moved on to a new job.
“Does that mean the hall is finished?” she asked.
“Well, I suppose so. I’ve got the keys here – let’s go and have a look!” said Nick.
“Definitely!” said Miss Mallow. “We can work out where everything will go on the stage and check out the new lighting.”
The children could hardly contain their excitement as their teacher led them towards the school hall.
“Ta-da!” said Miss Mallow as Nick opened the door and switched on the lights.
There was a gasp. The hall was covered in dust, bits of wood, tarpaulins, dust sheets and general builder’s rubbish. It was a complete mess and looked far from finished. Miss Mallow was horrified.
“Quickly, children, everyone out! Let’s go back to the gym,” she instructed.
All my hard work will be for nothing if the hall isn’t ready in time, she thought.
In the corridor on the way back to the gym they bumped into Mrs Milkthistle.
“Oh, Miss Mallow, I’ve been meaning to come and talk to you about the hall. I take it you’ve just come from there. I’m so sorry you had to find it in such a mess. You see, the thing is, the builders have finished the main work, but they’ve been called away on an emergency roof job at another school, so they haven’t quite finished,” explained the Headmistress.
“Oh!” said Miss Mallow. “When will they be back to finish it? The show is in less than two weeks.”
“I’m afraid they’re not going to be back for at least a month, so we’ll have to make do,” said Mrs Milkthistle. “Perhaps we could use the gym, or another venue like Cornsilk Castle or the Lavender Lake School of Dance?”
“But the whole point of the show is to celebrate the reopening of the school hall,” said Miss Mallow. “We simply can’t do it anywhere else and I don’t have the time to clear up the mess myself. I just hope I have some good luck soon! The way things are, I’m not sure the show can go on.”
When Poppy got home, she was very upset about the fact that the whole show might be cancelled – again. Mum was busy making lunch but when they sat down to eat, Poppy told her whole family all about the horrid mess.
“The hall looks so bad – even worse than it was before the builders came. I mean, there’s no way we could do our show in there!” she said.
“Poor Holly!” exclaimed Mum. “She’s going through the mill over this production, isn’t she? I wonder how we could help her, James. It would be such a shame to have to postpone the show after all the hard work that everyone has put in. I was looking forward to seeing it and I’ve even sorted out a babysitter for the twins!”
“Well, I suppose we could get a team together to clean it all up and take any rubbish they’ve left to the tip.”
“Oh, that’s a brilliant idea, James!” said Mum. “I’ll help, and Granny Bumble will come too, I’m sure. Grandpa can babysit. Sally Meadowsweet will lend a hand – and Lily Ann
Peach and the Woodchesters, the Worthingtons, the Melodys – and the Turners too! I’m sure the whole village will join in. We owe it to Holly! She’s worked so hard on this show, and so have all the children.”
Mum started ringing around right away and before long everyone had agreed to meet at the school hall on Monday evening. They would bring cleaning things – dusters, brooms, vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, cleaning fluids – along with rubbish sacks – and refreshments of course!
“We’ll keep it a secret from Holly,” said Mum at breakfast the next morning. “And Poppy, on Tuesday morning, perhaps you can somehow get her to go to the hall? That way she’ll have a lovely surprise.”
Poppy thought this was a great idea. “OK, Mum. I’ll think of a plan!”
On Monday afternoon, Lavender Cotton got the key for the school hall from Nick, who knew about the secret clean-up and was coming to help. Then, in the early evening, she and her cleaning team, numbering some twenty people, quietly let themselves in and put their plan into action.
“Gosh, Poppy wasn’t kidding!” exclaimed Lavender when she saw the state of the place. “I can’t believe the builders left it like this! Right, let’s get started. Can I have a tidying group, a sweeping and hoovering group, plus a mopping group, please? Sorry to sound a bit bossy, but I think we’ll only get a result if we stick to a plan.”
“This is just like being at home!” moaned Poppy’s dad jokingly.
The hardworking teams did not finish until nearly midnight, and when they looked over their shoulders as they were leaving, they gasped in surprise. Suddenly they could see what a fabulous job the builders had done: it had definitely been worth all the effort. It was much better than they had hoped. The stage was newly edged with light beech wood. There were spotlights pointing down onto it, and wall lights all around the hall. Rows of smart new chairs in crimson red were revealed when they ripped off the polythene covers. The floor had been relaid with a lovely pale wood. The overall effect was stunning. The troop of workers had also hung some beautiful emerald-green velvet curtains, made by Saffron, on either side of the stage.
Fairytale Princess Page 3
