Phoebe Finds Her Voice by Anne-Marie Conway Read Free Book Online Page A

smiling like a constipated giraffe. And suddenly I felt hot all over, which is how I always feel just before I’m about to cry.

While Miss Howell talked about the acting auditions I slipped out of the room and into the toilets. I couldn’t believe I could be so stupid. I sat down on the floor, trying not to cry; it was icy cold but I didn’t care. There was no way I was going back into the hall – not after that Oscar-winning performance!
    A couple of minutes later, Ellie poked her head round.
    â€œ Phoebs ! What are you doing down there? You’ll get a numb bum! It’s freezing!” She sat down next to me and cuddled up. “It doesn’t matter, you know; you can sing by yourself in the next show. You’ll be more used to it by then. And don’t forget how many times Donny got turned down before he made it.”
    â€œDon’t talk to me about Donny whatever you do; I knew I should’ve joined karate instead of drama. You’ve just got no idea how much I wanted to be Sabine, Ellie. I practised that song day and night and I’m sure I must be as good as some of the others.”
    â€œCourse you are, Phoebs, you’re easily as good. Come on, let’s go in and do our scene. I’m sure I’m not going to get a huge part, but remember what Mandy said about joining Star Makers; it’s being part of the group that really matters.”
    Back in the hall Miss Howell looked over at me and smiled sympathetically, but she didn’t say anything. Polly looked over and smiled as well, but it was one of her special I’m really pleased you made an idiot of yourself sort of smiles.
    When it was time for us to do our scene, I dragged myself onto the stage. I just about managed to remember my lines – all three of them – but it was so hard with everyone else watching and I said most of my part staring down at the floor.
    Sam was brilliant, of course, I knew she would be. And Ellie got the giggles halfway through, but at least she looked like she was enjoying herself. By the time it was over, my legs were like jelly and I was so relieved it was almost time to go home.
    â€œOkay, guys,” Miss Howell said, starting to pack her things away. “Tidy up the hall and then come and sit back in a circle.”
    I walked to the back of the room, picking up an empty water bottle and some sweet wrappers on the way. I thought about asking Miss Howell if I could sing to her after everyone had gone – I really wanted her to hear me – but I knew it was useless. I mean if I couldn’t get up and sing in front of my own friends at drama, how would I ever do it in front of a load of people I’d never even met? Monty B – wearing a dress – probably had more chance of being Sabine than I did.
    And then Polly came over to me.
    â€œOh dear, what happened, Phoebe?” she said, pretending to sound like she cared. Then she looked round at her friend, Kate, and they both burst out laughing.
    I tried to think of something clever to say but my mind went totally blank. I thought about clonking her over the head with the empty water bottle I was holding, but my hand felt just as wobbly as my legs, so I walked past as quickly as I could, blinking hard to stop myself crying again.
    Sitting back in a circle, Miss Howell told us that she’d give out the parts next week and that we were all superstars.
    I was just wondering whether there might be a small part in the show for a non-singing, non-dancing, big-toothed giraffe when the man who rents us the hall came bursting through the door.
    His name is Arthur McDermott or “ The Mad McDermott” , as Sam calls him, and he runs his own theatre company called The Players. He’s got this bushy beard that covers half his face and he wears a weird sort of black cape wrapped around his shoulders – like he’s Dracula or something.
    â€œGreetings, future stars of the stage,” he said,