Born to Dance by June Tate Read Free Book Online Page A

steps to the dressing room. As Bonny walked past, Lily put out a foot and tripped her, sending her hurtling down the steps, landing with a cry of pain at the bottom, clutching her ankle.
    Rushing to her side, Lily asked, ‘Are you all right?’
    The others gathered round, Shirley helping her friend to stand. ‘I’ve hurt my ankle,’ Bonny told her as she limped painfully to the dressing room.
    ‘Nan, fetch Mr Andrews,’ said Shirley, ‘and tell him it’s urgent.’
    Lily stood back watching, with a sly smile.
    Rob came rushing in. ‘Whatever is the matter?’
    ‘I fell down the steps and twisted my ankle,’ Bonny told him.
    ‘Fetch me some ice in a cloth,’ Rob told Nan, ‘and please be quick.’ He pressed the ankle and Bonny winced.
    Shaking his head, Rob said, ‘I can’t see you dancing any more tonight.’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Bonny snapped, ‘I must do the finale!’
    Nan came in with the ice pack and held it round her ankle.
    ‘If we bind it up and I take a couple of painkillers, I’ll be fine,’ Bonny insisted.
    Lily frowned. ‘But what about the rest of the week? If you dance tonight you’ll only make it worse.’
    ‘She has a point,’ Rob admitted.
    Bonny was determined. ‘I’ll dance tonight, go to the hospital tomorrow, get them to bind it up, rest it all day, and if I don’t dance in the other numbers, I should be all right for the finale.’ She saw the worried look on Rob’s face. ‘I have to. After all the publicity, the audience will expect it. We can’t let them down, Rob … Please!’
    Nan handed him a bandage and looked at him quizzically.
    ‘Right, if you insist, but if by the end of the finale I don’t think you can continue for the rest of the week, there will be no argument about it.’
    Lily stepped forward. ‘I could take her place if that’s the case.’
    Rob looked at her in surprise. ‘You?’
    ‘Yes, I’ve been practising, I know every step of the routine, I could stand in for Bonny. After all, as she said, you can’t let the public down.’
    There was a stunned silence in the dressing room.
    Rob’s eyes narrowed. ‘My, Lily, such concern from you is overwhelming.’
    She sidled up to him. ‘You wouldn’t be disappointed, I can promise you.’
    ‘Thank you for your consideration, but that won’t be necessary. Should Bonny be unable to dance, I’ll do it alone.’
    ‘But how can you?’
    ‘I once saw Astaire do a number where he pretended to have a partner, I’ll do the same.’
    ‘But …’ Lily began.
    ‘There are no buts,’ snapped Rob and he knelt down and bound Bonny’s ankle. ‘The chorus will dance without you in the other numbers, and in the finale I’ll take as much weight off you where we dance together, but I can’t help you other than that.’
    ‘I’ll be fine,’ said Bonny, taking two painkillers from Nan and swallowing them down with a glass of water.
    ‘I’ll help you change,’ Nan said. ‘Now, all of you – and you, Mr Andrews – give the girl some room.’
    ‘I’ll see you in the wings,’ said Rob, and with one last worried glance walked out.
    Lily slunk away to get changed, but Shirley, who had beenwatching her, sidled over. ‘It didn’t quite work out as you planned, did it?’
    ‘What do you mean?’ Lily looked startled.
    ‘I seem to remember that you came off the stage next to Bonny. What did you do, give her a shove down the steps?’
    ‘I did not! Ask Bonny. She tripped.’
    ‘Over what, I wonder?’ She glared at the girl. ‘I wouldn’t put anything past you, you little bitch, but if I find you had anything to do with this incident, I’ll sort you out and that’s a promise.’ And she walked away to get changed.

Six
    Sammy Kendrick bought a copy of the Daily Telegraph and read the entertainment column. His friend had kept his promise and had written a glowing report about the show at the Palace, asking why these two talented dancers, Bonny Burton and the well-known musical director Rob