Page 56 of Daydreams & Doughnut Cake

She still looked gutted that she’d missed Maisie’s first scene.

The stage was currently in darkness between scenes but I happened to glance up and I suddenly saw a face peering out from behind the curtain at the side.

I nudged Ellie and – spotting Maisie – she sat bolt upright and started waving frantically at her. Maisie’s face lit up in a big smile and she waved back before disappearing off-stage.

Then the stage lit up and we were off again...

Afterwards, when the show had finished, we waited for Maisie to emerge.

‘You were absolutely brilliant!’ exclaimed Ellie, commandeering the first big hug of congratulations. ‘Thank goodness I made it in time to see you.’

‘You were great,’ agreed Zak, putting his arm around her. The pride on his face as he smiled at his daughter made me feel quite emotional.

‘Those dances were so complicated,’ said Ellie. ‘But no one seemed to put a foot wrong.’

‘Ah, well, someone did.’ I gave Maisie a sly wink and she burst out laughing.

‘Someonedefinitelydid. Reuben was rubbish. It was actually the best thing in the whole show. Everybody was in hysterics.’

‘It was rather amusing,’ I agreed.

‘Oops, there he is,’ said Maisie, looking over. ‘Better not let him see us laughing.’

My eyes met Maisie’s and we both started chuckling. And Ellie smiled and said, ‘I’m looking forward to hearing what I missed. Over pizza.’

‘Pizza?’ asked Maisie eagerly.

‘We’re taking you out to celebrate an amazing show,’ said Zak.

‘Now?’

Ellie nodded. ‘We’ve got a table booked at Carlo’s.’

Maisie frowned. ‘But what about Isla?’

‘Jaz has kindly said she’ll look after Isla overnight.’ Ellie shrugged. ‘So we can stay out as long as we like.’

‘On aschool night?’

‘Why not?’ Zak chuckled. ‘Just this once.’

Ellie turned to me. ‘You’ll join us, won’t you, Rosie? You played a big part in all this by making Maisie look so elegant in her gorgeous dress.’

‘Yes, you have to come,’ urged Maisie.

I smiled. ‘Well... thank you for the invitation, Maisie, but I think tonight is all about you and your mum and dad.’

‘Are you sure?’ asked Ellie.

‘Quite sure. You go and have fun!’

Smiling, I watched them as they walked away, feeling so pleased for Maisie. She was chatting excitedly to her mum, and Ellie was laughing, and I imagined she was already hearing about how Ratbag Reuben had ruined the dance!

CHAPTER FORTY

As I left the school and headed for the van,my heart skipped a beat when I saw that Danny had tried to call me a couple of times. Unable to reach me because my phone was switched off during the performance, he’d then sent me a text.

Leaving first thing tomorrow. Would love to catch up with you before I go. I’ll be in the Swan Hotel bar from six if you can make it? XXX

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