Holly and the Land of Sweets. Darcey Bussell

the top, she stopped and turned round. She and Chloe had started a new game of seeing how many steps they could jump down in one go, and it was tempting to have a go right now. But Holly knew that she was just trying to put off the moment when she had to tell Chloe her news. She sighed and pushed back the door.

      The Saturday morning class was always full, so the changing rooms were buzzing with chatter as Holly sat down in a corner with Chloe.

      Holly kept glancing at her friend as she got changed. She was trying to pluck up the courage to tell her she was leaving. But every time she thought she’d found the right words, she imagined herself saying them and then she saw Chloe’s face falling. The thought of that was so unbearable, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

      Then, as Holly put on her ballet shoes, another thought flitted across her mind, like the tiniest cloud passing the sun and blocking it out for a second. Maybe the shoes would be better off here with one of the girls at Madame Za-Za’s, when Holly moved away After all, they’d always belonged to someone at the ballet school. But Holly shook the thought out of her head. She was just being silly. Of course they wouldn’t have to stay behind. They’d been given to her, hadn’t they?

      As the girls from the last lesson came out of the studio, Holly’s class formed a line in the corridor, with Chloe just in front of her. If only she could find the courage to speak. Just say it! she told herself sternly. It’ll be fine.

      “Chloe,” she blurted out, before she had time to change her mind, “my mum is giving up dancing professionally and I’m going to live with her all the time from now on!”

      “Hey, cool!” said Chloe, her face lighting up. “That’s great news, Holly!”

      “Yes,” Holly went on, knowing she was gabbling. “But the thing is … you see, um, well … we’re moving away …”

      There. She’d done it. She’d got the words out. “So I won’t be coming here any more …” she finished.

      “But … but …” Chloe looked shocked. “What do you mean? You’re my best friend. You can’t just go and leave me.”

      Holly hung her head, feeling her throat tighten. It was just as she’d imagined it. Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears and she looked so sad. Then, without another word, she had rushed from the corridor. Holly felt terrible.

      

      Class was awful. Holly had been expecting Chloe to be upset, but she was quite the opposite. She kept smiling at Holly, as though she was trying to make up for her outburst earlier. But that didn’t cheer Holly up at all, because she could tell that Chloe was only putting on a brave face. Madame Za-Za was as patient as ever, correcting their positions, describing to them the feelings they should have. She was such a good teacher, but even so, Holly could barely concentrate. All she could think about was Chloe.

      Back in the changing rooms afterwards, Holly was desperate to talk to her friend properly, but she couldn’t get a word in because Chloe just kept chattering away brightly, as though there was nothing the matter at all.

      Right, now’s my chance, thought Holly in relief as they went outside, but again it was no good. Chloe ran to the steps of the ballet school and took a big jump down from the sixth one, which neither of them had ever done before. Then she ran back up and told Holly brightly that she was going to try all eight steps.

      “No!” said Holly urgently, feeling her heart race with worry. Chloe was clearly being reckless because she was upset. “It’s dangerous, Chloe. You mustn’t …” But it was too late. Holly gasped as Chloe launched herself from the top step.

      Then the next minute there were many more gasps from other girls and parents too, because Chloe had landed badly. Her legs seemed to buckle under her and she sank down to the ground, clutching her ankle, her face screwed up in agony. Without a second’s hesitation, Holly ran as fast as she could to get Madame Za-Za.

      “Can we phone and see how Chloe is getting on at the hospital, now, Mum?” Holly asked for the tenth time as she and her mum helped Aunt Maria make lunch that afternoon.

      “I’ve told you, love, Chloe’s mum will be sure to phone us as soon as she can.”

      “Why don’t you watch telly?” suggested Uncle Ted. “Take your mind off it.”

      Mum smiled. “Or what about your Nutcracker DVD?”

      “OK.” Holly’s shoulders slumped as she put the DVD in the player.

      Even the dancing couldn’t take her mind off poor Chloe, and it was such a relief when the phone finally rang and Chloe’s mum explained that Chloe had broken her ankle and it was in a plaster cast. Apparently, she was at home, feeling sorry for herself, but had asked if Holly could come and see her, and bring her ballet things.