Ballet shoes
Alex and Rosie were now eight years old and still as thick as thieves. Not a day went by where they were meeting up with each other or calling each other on their parents' landlines. They were forever having sleepovers, staying up late and chatting well into the night.
Both girls were heavily into their ballet and had rehearsals every other day. They were training for their schools end of year show which was going to be a rendition of The Nutcracker. Rosie was the Sugar Plum Fairy and Alex was Clara. They were rehearsing everywhere and anywhere they could find space. In Rosie's bedroom, in Alex' bedroom. In the living room in Baker Street to the large reception room in Welbeck Street. Alex's older stepsiblings were getting increasingly annoyed at their younger siblings non-stop dancing. Daniel, Johnny and Sally were studying for their GSCEs and the last thing they wanted to hear was the same tracks from the ballet on repeat. Keira was rehearsing for an audition she had for a musical in the West End and was quite stressed out about it without Alex leaping about the house. And it was worse when Rosie was over. For the four stepsiblings, Alex and her best friend didn't so much as dance when they were together, but laugh loudly.
So, one day, after school, Greg decided to take matters into his own hands. To give the others chance to study and relax, and to get them out of Sherlock, Molly and John's way, he took them to Scotland Yard. He'd cleared it with John and his boss. They could rehearse in one of the interview rooms. They were soundproofed and had a mirror so they could see what they were doing. Greg could get some work done outside and keep an eye on them. It was the best solution all round.
In the car, Rosie noticed that they weren't going the way they usually did to get to Alex's house. They were heading into London, rather than across it. Hitching her ballet bag further up on her shoulder, she pulled on Greg's hand.
"Uncle Greg?" she asked, "Don't we need to be heading towards Bond Street? You've got us going in the wrong direction."
"We're not going to our house today, Ros." Said Greg, making sure he had hold of both girls as they left the station, "We're going to…"
"Scotland Yard?" asked Alex, looking in disbelief as she saw the famous pyramid with the name of the building on it.
"Well, yes." Replied Greg.
"Uncle Greg, have we done something wrong?" asked Rosie
Greg looked at Rosie and crouched down, "No, not at all Rosie." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "You know Alex has older brothers and sisters?" She nodded, "Well, its just that they have a lot of important work to do and in order to let them do that, I thought we'd give them some space."
"So you brought us to a police station?" asked Alex.
"Alex…" Greg warned, "You should know as well as anyone, Dan, Johnny and Sal have important exams. The house doesn't belong to just you, me and Dad."
Alex looked at her shoes, "Yes Dad.' She replied.
"Look, we've kitted out one of the interview rooms for you. They're soundproof so you won't disturb anyone, there's a mirror so you can check what you're doing and I can keep an eye on you."
"Alex." Rosie looked at her friend, "I know its not ideal, but we've got to practice somewhere. I still can't get my steps for the waltz right and you know you're struggling with the Christmas Tree scene."
Alex sighed, "Fine, but only because the show is three weeks away and I can't get my feet to move right!"
Rosie sighed and smiled at Greg who mouthed, 'Thank you' at Rosie.
"Saw that!" shouted Alex over her shoulder. She was already at the doors to the building. Greg and Rosie rushed to catch up with her.
About 20 minutes later, the girls had changed in Greg's office with the blinds down. This was simply because Greg knew Alex still struggled with her tights and her shoes. Because the girls were still young, they weren't on pointe yet, but because this was a proper performance, they had ribbons on their shoes that had to be tied properly. Greg had spent many a night duty watching videos on YouTube on how to tie the ribbon. The things he did for his daughter! He then took them down to the interview room that he had reserved and let them in. He fixed his iPod up to the speaker and asked which song they wanted first. Alex chose her favourite song at the moment which was 'Into the Unknown' as they needed to warm up first. Greg obliged and left them to it.
Once they were warmed up, Alex changed the music to the Nutcracker and helped Rosie with the choreography for the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Alex had a photographic memory and had remembered the way the movements had been written down. She also stood in for the Prince at various moments so that Rosie knew where her partner would be. It took Rosie a while, but she eventually got it. They did a whole run through, from the end of the flowers to the end of the show and Rosie got every step right, on time and on que.
They then moved to the beginning of the show. Rosie was in the ensemble in this half, playing one of the children at the Stahlbaum Christmas party, which was helpful for Alex as a fair amount of her choreography was the same as Rosie. They worked through it together and then got to the Christmas Tree scene. Alex went and tapped on the mirror, beckoning her dad to come in.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I need you to be Drosselmeyer for me."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Drosselmeyer, Clara's Godfather, I need you to be him for like five minutes." She repeated.
"But, I don't know any of the moves." Greg protested.
"You don't need to. I literally need you to carry me from that side of the room to the other!"
"Oh."
Rosie pressed play on the iPod and Alex started to dance. Greg watched her in fascination. Both girls were fantastic and he could see how they had been given the parts that they had.
"Now!" said Alex as she stood in front of her Dad. "Just put your hands on my hips and lift me. Walk across the room!" she instructed.
Lestrade did as he was told and placed her down. Alex sneaked a quick kiss and finished off the dance.
"Thanks Dad. And you'd make an excellent Drosselmeyer!"
"Thanks Alex." And he left the room again.
Alex looked at Rosie.
"You did it!" Rosie squealed, hugging her best friend, "Not a single mistake!"
Alex beamed, "And you! You were amazing today."
They sat on the floor and stretched out their muscles.
"You know," said Alex, "I think we should rehearse here all the time!" and they both laughed.
Three weeks later, Rosie and Alex stood side by side as they took their final bows. Both girls had been pushed to the centre of the stage. They were the youngest principle dancers, Madame Boulonger had ever allowed in a performance, but she had to make an exception for these two girls. Rosie and Alsonso had performed one of the best pas des deux's she had ever seen in all her time. Rosie was only eight, Alonso was a bit older at eleven, but still the standard from the pair of them. And Alex and Rudolf as Clara and the Prince was inspired.
And right there in the front row were Greg, Mycroft, Daniel, Keira, Sally, Johnny, John, Mrs H, Sherlock and a pregnant Molly. Greg, Mycroft and John were on their feet, cheering. Tears in their eyes. Fit to burst with pride.
