Sparkling Steps Read Online Free PDF Page A

at Olivia. “You have to keep your promise now or we’ll tell everyone that you’re a liar and a cheat.”
    Olivia didn’t care. She felt weak with relief. “Whatever. You can go and get the book yourself. It’s in the cabinet next to my bed.”
    Lucy backed slowly away from the well. “Here!” She thrust Flame into Olivia’s arms. “I was only kidding, anyway! I hope it takes you hours to find its owner. Come on, Mariko. I’m going to the dormitory to get my book!” She ran off, followed by Mariko.
    Olivia held Flame’s little, trembling body to her chest. His tiny heart was beating fast against her hands. “It’s okay, Flame. You’re safe now,” she crooned softly.
    â€œThank you for saving me, Olivia.” Flame gave an especially loud purr and reached up a tiny paw to pat her cheek. “I am very sorry that you have lost your book.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. You’re more important to me than any old book. I nearly died on the spot when I thought Lucy was going to drop you into that well!” Olivia said.
    She realized that she would do anything to protect Flame.

Chapter EIGHT
    â€œWe’re collecting our costumes for the dress rehearsal onstage this morning!” Olivia swept Flame into her arms and shot down the stairs to the wardrobe department. “Can you believe that the performance is only the day after tomorrow?”
    Flame shook his head. “I have been here with you for a few weeks now. The time has gone by very fast.”
    â€œI assume your uncle’s spies have given up looking for you. Maybe you can stay here with me forever,” Olivia said.
    Flame looked up at her with gentle, green eyes. “That is not possible, Olivia. My destiny is in my own world.”

    â€œI know,” Olivia said sadly. She didn’t even want to think about Flame leaving.
    Tamsin was already in the wardrobe department when Olivia and Flame arrived. “It’s amazing in here, isn’t it?” Tamsin said, pointing to the huge rolls of satins, chiffons, and velvets in every color imaginable.
    Olivia quickly put Flame down on a bench, before Tamsin noticed that she seemed to be holding something that she couldn’t see! He scampered past a woman sitting at a sewing machine and then settled down to watch another woman, hand sewing sequins on to a sky blue tutu.
    Olivia caught her breath when she saw her costume. It had a pale orchid, silk bodice, with thin straps trimmed with tiny, pink rosebuds. The stiff skirt was held out by many layers of cream net. Her headdress was a band of matching pink rosebuds and crystal beads.
    â€œOh! It’s even more beautiful than I expected,” she sighed, holding it up against her.
    Tamsin was cradling her pale gray costume in her arms. “Mine’s gorgeous, too. I can’t wait for dress rehearsal!”
    The rest of the class collected their costumes and then everyone trooped along to the school’s theater, where Miss Frances was waiting.
    â€œWow! Look at this!” Olivia said, peering around the stage.
    Everything was almost ready for the main performance. There was a dark blue backcloth, with tiny lights for stars. The colorful scenery had been painted to look like the inside of a fairy-tale castle.
    The dress rehearsal was exciting, but very hard work, as Miss Frances was even more strict than usual. Olivia concentrated fully on getting every step right. If she even started thinking about dancing in front of a full audience, her tummy did a sickening backflip.
    When the rehearsal was over, Miss Frances gave a small smile. “That went really well. Go and get changed now. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

    Olivia was practicing her pointe work at the barre as afternoon class began.
    Tamsin joined her, starting some warm-up stretches. “I just saw Lucy reading your ballet book in the common room. When I asked her about it, she