Free Blue Fire and Ice by Alan Skinner Page B

because she actually liked Sky very much.
    It was Bright, Home’s nurse, who restored Crimson’s happiness.
    ‘Sky,’ said Bright, ‘I don’t like to spoil your plans and it’s very generous of you to offer, but don’t you think that perhaps Reach should go instead? If Crimson does have to fight a fire, she’s going to need someone very strong to help Grunge work the pump on the fire cart. I think Crimson had best take Reach with her. There’s no stronger Muddle than Reach.’
    Sky was crestfallen. Her smile disappeared. ‘I suppose you’re right, Bright, but I’d so like to go.’ An idea came to her. ‘Maybe Reach isn’t available? Maybe Reach is too busy to go?’
    ‘We’ll find out,’ said Wave. He turned towards the crowd and called, ‘Hey, Reach! Where are you?’
    The crowd parted and Reach appeared in front of the Beadles.
    ‘B-B-But … she’s a – a –’ stammered Brian.
    ‘A bit young?’ finished a Muddle for him.
    ‘A bit thin?’ said an equally helpful Muddle.
    ‘A bit pink?’ said a slightly less helpful Muddle.
    ‘… a – a – a … ballerina!’ Brian finally finished.
    Brian was quite right. Reach was a ballerina. Although she was only just in her teens, she was already tall, graceful and elegant. When she walked it seemed that her feet never touched the ground. Her feet moved like languid butterflies, flitting lightly above the earth. She would have been an extraordinary ballerina, except for a slight problem: she suffered from the most acute dizziness. She only had to turn her head too quickly and she swooned. A pirouette was definitely out of the question and she had once passed out trying to stand on the tips of her toes.
    ‘Reach,’ said Wave, ‘you heard what the Muddles are here for, didn’t you?’
    Reach nodded.
    ‘Good. And that Crimson and Grunge will go to Beadledom to help?’
    Reach nodded again.
    ‘Would you be willing to go with Crimson and Grunge to help?’
    Reach hung her head, too nervous to look at anything except her pink ballet shoes. She cupped her hands and kept twisting her fingers around each other.
    ‘I’m sure you could find someone else who would be more use than I am, Wave. I’m not much good at anything and I’m sure I’ll just be in the way.’ Reach spoke very softly.
    Crimson stood in front of her and lifted the young ballerina’s head until she could look right into her eyes.
    ‘Nonsense, Reach!’ she said. ‘Whatever gave you that idea? You’re the best ballerina Muddlemarsh’s ever had and one day you’ll learn to dance and show us all how good you are. Besides, there’s no Muddle, grown or growing, who is as strong as you are, and no Muddle more trustworthy. I would love to have you come, Reach.’
    ‘Really?’ said Reach. For Reach to hear the Muddle she most admired in all the Land say that to her, made her feel every good. ‘I’ll come then, Crimson, and I’ll try not to let you down.’
    Brian groaned silently.
    The Beadles had been anxious to get back to Beadleburg. They had agreed to leave as soon as Crimson and the others had packed. Now Crimson felt rather excited about going. She was proud of being Muddlemarsh’s fire officer. She had studied and drilled every day so she would be a good one. Yet it would be her first time against a real fire and she hoped she wouldn’t let everyone down.
    Grunge’s voice pushed the thought from her mind.
    ‘I think we’re ready,’ he said. ‘The others should be here in a minute.’
    Crimson took stock of the fire cart. The boxes had been neatly packed and locked. The ladders hung on their hooks on the side of the cart. The hoses were coiled safely next to the tank. Everything was ready. Except …
    ‘I think we’re missing one thing, Grunge,’ she said.
    Grunge’s eyes narrowed and stared at the cart. He wasn’t a fire officer but it seemed to him that they had packed everything they could possibly pack. He gave Crimson a quizzical look, unable to think of