Born to Dance Read Online Free PDF Page B

his heel and walked out.
    There was a second of complete silence, then the girls all started talking at once.
    ‘Do you think we’re good enough for a London show?’
    ‘What if he likes us?’
    ‘Maybe he’s only come to see Belle Carlisle.’
    Shirley sat back and saw to her make-up, seemingly untouched by the excitement.
    ‘Aren’t you thrilled?’ Bonny asked her friend.
    Shirley shrugged. ‘Not really. These men are usually looking for a solo act, one that’s a bit different, not the chorus. There’s no one on the bill apart from Belle who would interest him, I wouldn’t think. After all, the jugglers are much of a muchness, and the comedian is nothing special – yes, he gets the laughs, but I’ve seen better.’
    Bonny felt deflated. Rob had worked so hard with the dancers and she thought they were good, thanks to the many hours of practice. But Shirley knew far more than she about such things.
     
    The show went well and the paying public showed their appreciation at the final curtain. As the dancers, now exhausted after the week, took off their make-up in their dressing room, Rob Andrews was talking to the man they had all been wondering about.
    Bernie Cohen was a short, tubby man with a balding head, who had been in show business all his adult life. Now in his late forties, his nose for fresh talent had not diminished and tonight he had seen a girl who had interested him. ‘I can’t believe that this is her first professional job,’ he told Rob. ‘The girl lives to dance, it shines in her eyes in her every expression. And she’s a natural. I’m sure that you know all this, otherwise you wouldn’t have given her that solo spot.’
    Rob smiled slowly. ‘Quite right. Mind you, she works her socks off so she deserves to be there, but wait until our musical tribute the week after next if you want to really see her potential. I think you’ll be even more surprised.’
    Cohen shook Rob’s hand. ‘I’ll look forward to it, but please, nomention of this conversation. I don’t want to put any pressure on the girl.’
    ‘My lips are sealed,’ promised Rob.
     
    Unaware that she was of any special interest to anyone, Bonny left the theatre. Belle Carlisle had left sometime before and so the crowd at the stage door had dispersed, apart from one or two eager young men, waiting for their date for the night. As Bonny walked down the steps, the young man who had given her flowers once before stepped forward.
    ‘Miss Burton, good show tonight. I thought your solo dance was great. Congratulations.’
    ‘Why, thank you,’ she said.
    ‘Would you allow me to take you out to dinner one evening?’ He noted her hesitation. ‘I realize you are tired after each performance, so we could make it a Sunday if you would rather. Lunch, if you would prefer?’
    Shyly, she studied the young man. She thought he was in his twenties. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, he looked a gentle sort, and she felt she would be safe with him, but tonight she was exhausted and couldn’t make up her mind. ‘Ask me again sometime and I’ll think about it, but not now.’ And with a smile at her admirer, she walked away.
    The young man stood and watched her, before leaving the theatre in the opposite direction.
    Rob Andrews had watched the two of them as he stood at the top of the stairs, smoking a cigarette. He’d overheard the conversation and frowned as he heard the young man’s invitation. He’d been relieved to hear Bonny’s refusal. If he was to get her to the top of her profession, she’d have little time for personal relationships. He’d learned that himself, the hard way.
     
    The following week was the hardest any of the dancers had known. Rob had worked on several dance routines for the girls to be performed in the new musicals show, and there were long practice sessions as well as their performances in the theatre. But Bonny was in her element when first he told her that she would be doing a Fred Astaire and