Lucky Break #6 by Cindy Jefferies Read Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    â€œThanks!” he said.
    â€œWe made you this,” Danny announced, putting a huge card on Marmalade’s bed. “Well, Pop made it and then we all signed it.”
    â€œThanks, Danny! Please thank them all very much.” Marmalade looked at the beautifully cut-out paper flowers that were stuck onto the front of the card. Inside, everyone had written little messages and signed them. Most of them were variations of Get well soon, but Jack had written I’m so sorry next to his name.
    Marmalade put the card to one side. Somehow, it was ruined by having Jack’s name on it. He didn’t want to think about Jack, but he couldn’t help it. If Jack hadn’t come to Rockley Park, Marmalade wouldn’t have asked about the jump and none of this would have happened. Everything was Jack’s fault.
    Somewhere at the back of Marmalade’s mind, he knew he wasn’t being fair, but in all his pain and misery, he couldn’t bear to accept any of the blame for hurting himself. What’s more, thinking about Jack was reminding him that Jack could still dance, and he couldn’t. How would he cope if he could never dance again?

9. A Friend in Need
    It wasn’t long before Marmalade had mastered his crutches and was back in classes again. Everyone was very kind to him, and Danny was a great help, making sure no one got too close and knocked his knee. Marmalade tried to stay cheerful, but he couldn’t help thinking that there wasn’t much to be cheerful about. It seemed that the class comedian had gone forever.
    After he had moped at the side of the dance studio for a couple of classes, Mr. Penardos had a word with him. “You might as well skip my classes until your leg is better,” he said. “I had thought you might be interested in watching, but that’s obviously too frustrating for you.”
    â€œSorry,” Marmalade apologized.
    â€œTha’s all right,” Mr. Penardos said. “I un’erstand how you feel. But use your time wisely. Make sure you catch up on all that academic work instead.”
    Marmalade tried hard to concentrate on his schoolwork, but every time he went somewhere quiet to study, his mind wandered to that awful moment when his foot had slid from under him and he’d realized he was in trouble. It had been landing in a slippery puddle of a spilled drink that had made him fall, not a badly executed jump, but knowing that didn’t help. Time after time, he replayed the jump and the painful consequences in his head. He knew he shouldn’t have been dancing in the dining hall, but because he was distraught that he couldn’t dance, and because he couldn’t bear to think it was his own fault, Marmalade continued to blame Jack.
    His friends did their best to help, but nothing could make Marmalade happy. Talking to his family on the phone made him feel even more sorry for himself. He missed them badly now that he wasn’t enjoying himself dancing. Their cards and presents made him feel even more homesick, so after a few days he got permission to go home for a weekend.
    Marmalade’s dad arrived to pick him up, and Danny carried his bag out to the car while Marmalade followed on his crutches.
    Jack was hovering by the front door. He looked as if he wanted to say something.
    â€œHave a good time,” said Danny. Marmalade frowned and glanced in Jack’s direction. How could he have a good time when he was injured? Jack blushed and disappeared indoors, looking upset.
    At home, everyone wanted to take care of Marmalade. His mom made him lie on the sofa, and even his sisters tried to make him feel better. They took turns bringing him drinks and ran to open doors for him. They even let him watch his choice of TV shows! His knee gradually began to feel a little better and by the end of the weekend it wasn’t quite as painful.
    By the time he got back to school, Marmalade was able to get up the stairs