Free Magic Kitten: A Circus Wish by Sue Bentley Page A

at the neck and wrists. She made a graceful sweeping gesture with her arms, then bent over and went straight into a handstand.
    Sadie watched with wide blue eyes as Lena did a standing backflip and then performed a series of high jumps with impossible twists and turns in mid-air. Her body seemed to flow from one movement to another. Lena finishedwith another handstand and then swung down and went into the splits. She held the last movement, with her hands curved elegantly overhead.
    Presto, who had been watching intently, ran over to his owner. Standing up on his back legs and wagging his tail, the little dog pirouetted in front of Lena.
    The gym erupted with applause.
    Sadie clapped like mad. Lena was fantastic. She would give anything to be even half as good.
    Lena uncurled. She stood up gracefully and then picked up Presto, who whined and licked her chin. ‘Thank you. You are very kind. Presto taught himself that trick. He loves to perform with me just for fun.’
    Miss Kemp thanked Lena for the workshop and her demonstration. ‘We’ve really enjoyed learning some new skills.’

    There was more applause and shouts of agreement.
    Lena smiled warmly as she looked round at all the eager faces. ‘I’ve enjoyed meeting you all too. You might like to know that there’s a circus youth club on weekdays, after school. There’re leaflets on the table near the door.
    Anyone who’s interested can put their names on the list.’
    As Lena went off to change, there was a buzz of excitement. A few kids wandered over to the table and looked at the leaflets. Sadie dashed straight over and picked one up. She came back to Jenny with it.
    ‘Circus youth club sounds great,’ she said eagerly, scanning the leaflet. ‘Shall we sign up?’
    Jenny seemed unsure. ‘I don’t know. I’m rubbish at all that tumbling and balancing stuff.’
    ‘That’s OK. It says here that there’s tons of other stuff to do. Like juggling, comedy skills and circus history just for a start. It’ll be great fun!’
    ‘Juggling?’ Jenny’s face brightened alittle for the first time that day. ‘OΚ then. I don’t mind giving youth club a try’
    As Sadie and Jenny were adding their names to the list, Lena came over with Presto trotting at her heels. ‘I’m glad you’ll be coming, Sadie. You’ve got a natural talent for acrobatics. Maybe you’ll be a performer yourself one day,’ she said with a warm smile.
    Sadie beamed back. ‘Thanks. But I’ll never be as good as you are,’ she said modestly.
    Lena laughed. ‘I have a head start, don’t forget. I come from a circus family. Dad says that talent is useful, but hard work and dedication make a performer.’ She looked down at Jennyand her voice softened kindly. ‘He also says that everyone has a skill, but sometimes it takes a while to discover it.’
    Jenny’s round cheeks flushed deep pink. ‘I reckon mine must be really well hidden!’ she joked and then she turned to Sadie. ‘Are you ready to go? I have to meet my mum.’
    ‘OΚ. I’m coming. Bye!’ Sadie called to Lena, hurrying towards the cloakroom after Jenny. ‘See you at the youth club!’
    On the way, she paused by a colourful poster advertising the circus. There was Lena in a close-fitting sparkling costume with the other Flying Tomanis, as they performed their trapeze act.

    Sadie’s imagination went into fast forward. She could smell the greasepaint, see her own name up in lights and hear the audience applauding as she tumbled through the air like magic!

Chapter
* TWO *
    Sadie hurried after Jenny as her friend headed for the changing rooms. She had a tight knot of excitement in her stomach. ‘Did you hear what Lena said? She thinks I’ve got talent!’
    Jenny didn’t look round. ‘I heard her saying that to some other kids. I reckon she just wants to get loads of people to go to the youth club.’

    Sadie’s high spirits took a dent. ‘Don’t you think Lena meant it?’ she asked anxiously.
    Jenny looked back