To Phoebe and Zoe, as they are the inspirationbehind Magic Ballerina.

Table of Contents

Cover Page

Title Page

Dedication

Author’s note

Map

Prologue

1. Audition Day

2. Serendipity

3. The North Tower

4. In the Tower!

5. A Spinning Dance

6. The Sun Sets

7. The Letter

Darcey’s Magical Masterclass

Acknowledgements

Copyright

About the Publisher

Author’s Note
Rosa and the Magic Dream

Welcome to the world of Enchantia!

I have always loved to dance. The captivating music and wonderful stories of ballet are so inspiring. So come with me and let’s follow Rosa on her magical adventures in Enchantia, where the stories of dance will take you on a very special journey.

p.s. Turn to the back to learn a special dance step from me…

Map

Prologue

In the soft, pale light, the girl stood with her head bent and her hands held lightly in front of her. There was a moment’s silence and then the first notes of the music began. For as long as the girl could remember music had seemed to tell her of another world – a magical, exciting world – that lay far, far away. She always felt if she could just close her eyes and lose herself, then she would get there. Maybe this time. As the music swirled inside her, she swept her arms above her head, rose on to her toes and began to dance…

Rosa Maitland stood nervously in the queue of parents and girls waiting to go into the large ballet studio. Her best friend, Olivia, was beside her, chewing her lip. I can’t believe we’re here and we’re actually about to audition for the Royal Ballet School! Rosa thought.

It still seemed like some impossible dream. Could it really be just a few months back that Rosa and Olivia, and some of the other girls who went to Madame Za-Za’s dance school, had been invited to audition for White Lodge, the junior part of the Royal Ballet School?

It was a boarding school, and as well as doing normal lessons, the students had dancing classes every day. It was very hard to get in, and although Rosa and three of the other girls from school had made it through the Preliminary Auditions, the Final Auditions would be much harder. Rosa’s stomach felt like it was full of butterflies as they walked into the studio. “I feel so nervous.”

“Me too,” muttered Olivia.

Rosa spotted Delphie and Sukie, the other girls from Madame Za-Za’s ballet school.

Rosa really liked Delphie, but she didn’t usually get on with Sukie, who could be a bit mean. Delphie waved. Olivia and Rosa headed over to where they were sitting.

“Hi,” Rosa said as their parents all greeted each other.

Sukie just nodded coolly, but Delphie looked delighted to see them. “Hi.” She glanced round. “There are loads of people auditioning, aren’t there?”

Rosa nodded. There were around forty girls in the studio, but only about twelve girls would get picked. And everyone here will be really good, Rosa reminded herself as she sat down.

A lady in a black top walked to the front. Imogen Green, Rosa thought, recognising the Head of Auditions. Imogen clapped her hands and silence fell.

“Welcome to White Lodge, everyone,” Imogen said, smiling at them. “It’s lovely to see you all. I’ll start by explaining how the day will be run.”

Imogen told the girls that they would be split into two groups, each of which would take part in a dance class, do some writing, be seen by a doctor to check they were healthy, have an interview with the headteacher and go on a tour of the school. It all sounded very exciting!

When Imogen finished talking, the girls were split up. Delphie and Sukie were in one group and Olivia and Rosa in another – their group was dancing first.

“Phew!” Rosa whispered to Olivia as they got changed and helped each other with their hair. Finally Rosa took her red ballet shoes out of her bag and slipped them on. As she did up the ribbons, she smiled to herself.

After all, her shoes were very special. Sometimes, with no warning, they would start to sparkle and whisk her away to the magical land of Enchantia, where the characters from all the different ballets lived. Rosa thought about some of the amazing adventures she’d had there and the people she had met…

“Rosa, come on!” Olivia said, nudging her.

Looking up, Rosa saw that the other girls were lining up at the door. She tucked in the ends of the ribbons and jumped to her feet.

“Good luck!” she said to her friend as they joined the others.

Olivia forced a nervous smile. “You too.”

As soon as the dance class started, Rosa felt her nerves disappear. She concentrated on the familiar exercises, her whole mind focusing on bending and stretching, thinking about the line of her arms, pointing her toes and lengthening her back. She enjoyed herself so much she almost forgot that there were six examiners watching her!

After the dance class, the girls met up with their parents for juice and biscuits, then went off with the rest of their group to a classroom where they had to write about what they wanted to be and what they liked doing. Rosa wrote as much as she could about her life and her dreams of becoming a ballerina.

Finally, after seeing the doctor, it was time for their interviews with the headteacher. When Olivia went in, Rosa waited outside the room.

Sukie came along the corridor. “Hi, Rosa,” she said. “Are you waiting for your turn?”

Rosa nodded.

“I’ve done mine,” Sukie told her. “Have you seen the dorms where the girls sleep yet?”

“No.” Rosa had been longing to look around the school, but she had been kept so busy she hadn’t had a chance.

“They’re cool!” said Sukie. “And they’re just up these stairs. Come on, why don’t we go now before your interview? I’ll show you where they are.”

Rosa felt tempted but shook her head. “I’d better not. It’ll be my turn in a minute. Olivia’s in there now.”

“She’ll be ages,” said Sukie. “You’ve easily got time to run upstairs with me and have a look. Come on!”

Rosa hesitated. “Um…”

“We’ll be really quick,” Sukie said persuasively.

“Oh, all right!” Rosa jumped to her feet. No, don’t, a little voice in her head said. But she ignored it. It’ll be fine, she told herself.

“It’s this way!” Sukie raced away up the staircase.

Picking up her bag, Rosa followed her…

The stairs curved round. At the top there was a small landing and three corridors leading in different directions. Sukie had vanished. Rosa looked around. Where was she?

“Sukie!” she called.

But there was no reply.

A horrible thought crossed Rosa’s mind. Was Sukie playing a trick on her? Maybe she wanted Rosa to get lost and be late for her interview? But surely not even Sukie would be that mean? Rosa hesitated, unsure what to do.

A tinkle of sweet music echoed through the air and at that very same moment she felt a tingling against her shoulder where she was holding her bag.

She caught her breath. Did her ballet shoes really want to take her to Enchantia right now?

She hesitated for a moment, then unzipped her bag. Sure enough, inside it, her red shoes were glowing and sparkling. She stopped herself, uncertain whether to put them on or not. It wasn’t exactly the best timing. But then again, Rosa knew that the shoes only took her to Enchantia when the characters really needed her help. It’s OK, she quickly reminded herself, no time will pass here while I’m gone. Heart thumping, Rosa quickly pulled on her shoes. A glittering mist of colour surrounded her and she felt herself being twirled around and magically swept away…

The magic set Rosa down in a strangely familiar forest. There were frosty trees all around and birds singing in the leafless branches. For a moment, Rosa wondered if it was the same place she had been when she had rescued the magical Firebird. She shuddered as she thought of the horrible Wicked Fairy who had imprisoned him.

“Hello?” Rosa called hesitantly. “Nutmeg? Nutmeg, are you here?”

Nutmeg was the Fairy of the Spices. The fairy usually met Rosa when she arrived in Enchantia. But today there was no sign of her.

Spotting a path through the trees, Rosa headed down it. As she reached the main track, she heard a faint noise through the trees behind her – like someone crying out. She spun round. What was it?

“Hello?” she called again. But there was no answer.

Then, suddenly, a carriage pulled by two white horses with silver plumes and golden bridles came around the bend in the track ahead of her. The driver was dressed in white breeches and a coat embroidered with gold thread. Rosa expected the carriage to sweep straight past but, to her surprise, it stopped. The driver jumped down and opened the carriage door.

Rosa stared as she saw a beautiful lady with long blonde hair and a pink sparkly dress sitting inside.

“Hello,” said the lady. “You must be Rosa.”

“Yes, yes I am,” Rosa replied, feeling almost like she should curtsy. Who was this beautiful lady?

The lady smiled. “I thought you must be. My name’s Serendipity. I’m a friend of Nutmeg’s.”

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