Echoes of the Dance Read Online Free PDF

a resemblance to Mim in his smile.
    â€˜I made it,’ she said triumphantly, as if she’d passed some kind of test. ‘It’s taken much longer than it should but I’ve stopped every hour to walk about a bit. Thanks for the map. I certainly needed it. What a simply heavenly place this is.’
    â€˜We like it.’ He gestured towards the dogs. ‘This is Uncle Bernard. Don’t be fooled by his size. He’s top dog here. This is Bevis and this is Floss. Her owner died and I’m fostering her until we find her a home.’
    â€˜Oh, poor girl,’ cried Daisy, bending down to stroke Floss, who received the caress gratefully. ‘How awful for her. She’s lucky to have you, though, isn’t she?’
    â€˜She’s settling down very well and I’m hoping that an old friend of mine will be interested in her. She’s coming over tomorrow to have a look at her. But I’ve got some rather disappointing news, I’m afraid. Something’s cropped up and Mim won’t be down for a day or two. It’s nothing too serious, I understand. Someone has twisted an ankle and the understudy has developed tonsillitis. I didn’t quite take it all in, but Mim’s got to stay until everything’s sorted out. I’m so sorry.’
    â€˜Well, I’m just so sorry that poor Mim’s got problems,’ answered Daisy, ‘but don’t worry on my behalf. Shall I be a nuisance?’
    â€˜Of course not. I’ll show you the stable flat and you can get settled in. I’ll be making some tea if you’d like some but you’ll find all that kind of thing in the flat if you simply want to rest.’
    â€˜Rest?’ Daisy grinned at him. ‘How do you spell it? I need some exercise after all that sitting and I’d love some tea.’
    His smile was so like Mim’s that she felt that she’d known him for ever.
    â€˜Tea first,’ he agreed, ‘and then we’ll walk the dogs a little way up on to the moor, if you feel up to it. Let me take that big case.’
    He led the way up the flight of stone steps and she followed him, full of eager anticipation, whilst the dogs sat in a semicircle at the foot of the steps and waited patiently for their return.

CHAPTER FIVE
    The flat was charming. A tiny lobby, with some pegs and space for gumboots, opened into a square living room that had a window on to the yard and another looking up to the moor behind the stable. The rough stone walls were washed a warm yellow and two comfortable sofas faced each other across the room, one beneath each window. A small wood-burning stove sat on a slate hearth with logs in a big basket to one side.
    â€˜This is just so nice,’ declared Daisy. ‘And you’ve lit the fire for me.’
    â€˜It can be a chilly little place,’ admitted Roly, ‘and it’s not summer yet by any means. We converted the stables in the seventies when our father died and it’s a bit rough and ready by modern standards but our friends like it. Through here is the kitchen.’
    He led the way beneath an arch to the left of the stone fireplace into a small kitchen and, passing through another tiny lobby, opened the door into the bedroom.
    â€˜I hope you’ll be comfortable.’ He put her case on a chair. ‘There are extra blankets in the chest and the bathroom’s next door. I’m sorry that Mim isn’t here to welcome you. She was so looking forward to it.’
    She followed him back through the flat to the front door.
    â€˜Honestly, you don’t have to apologize. I quite understand. I remember those traumatic moments very clearly. The whole place in an uproar, last-minute rehearsals, costumes being altered and everyone panicking. Everyone except Mim, that is. There’s a kind of still centre inside her, isn’t there? Something right deep down that nothing can ruffle.’
    He stared at her, surprised at her