UPDATED VERSION

Back at Mr. Sheridan's house, dusk was quickly falling as the last dying orange rays, of the setting sun, streaked across the sky. Cat looked out her window, at the peach clouds that masked the star. She ran her fingers through the still damp hair and looked back at the dress laid out on her chair, and welcomed another wave of excitement and anticipation. Calm down Cat. The Grand Opening is still more than an hour away and you're already becoming fidgety! Cat bit her lip and turned to the window again, pulling at her hair, hoping it would dry quicker in the light breeze.

After she returned from her visit to Sparrows, Cat had a quick lunch, with the absent of Mr. Sheridan (though left a note that he already finished his lunch) and thought of popping by the new theatre to see if help was needed.

She made her way to the theatre site and stopped in front of the wide marble staircase. The new Theatre was bigger and wider than the old one with a small alley on its left that led to the back. It looked as it only had two storeys, and had a wide arched entrance with double doors. There were a few men on ladders at the front, fixing the lighting (candle stands?) and moving chairs and equipment through the open doors, into the darkness inside. She looked up at the huge new building, overwhelmed by its grandness and the memories of the old theatre Royal. I will miss the old building, Cat thought. After all, I was named after it! The sparrows nest especially as well as the nooks and crannies. I remember how Lizzie and Johnny were reunited in the 'powder room' where Johnny was hiding! Oh, I remember when I first met Pedro and how we shared laughs, plans and the view from the sparrows nest. I wish he were here to share this moment with me…Cat looked away then forced herself to look back. No! She thought. I won't cry at the beginning of my new future. Pedro wouldn't want that.

Cat started up the marble when a tall figure appeared through the door looking thoughtfully over some papers. It took a moment for Cat to realize who the suited man was as it was quite some years since she had last seen him. "Mr. Kemble!" Cat called out to him. Mr. Kemble looked up and broke into a smile.

"Cat! What a surprise! Lovely to see you again."

"Same to you Mr. Kemble," Cat said bobbing a curtsy.

"My, have you grown tal-" Mr. Kemble started but was interrupted by Mr. Sheridan who came bustling through the doors.

"Kemble, There you are! I was just wondering- Cat!" he exclaimed jumping back as if he had something to hide. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to see the theatre and to help out."

"Oh, no. No no no," Mr. Sheridan said leading me away. He stopped and turned to Mr. Kemble. "Pardon me," he said and Mr. Kemble smiled and nodded.

"See you tonight Cat!" he said smiling at me secretly.

Cat was about to reply when Mr. Sheridan pulled her away by the arm and led her back down the stairs. "You're not supposed to be here Cat," said he said ushering her towards the road.

She turned around and glared at him. "Why not?"

"Why you're supposed to be getting ready of course!" he said as if it was so obvious. "No one is supposed to see the theatre yet. That why it's dimly lit! Oh, and there is a parcel waiting for you in the bathroom cupboard."

"Why on earth is it there?"

"Because I…er well I'm not sure. I just put it there."

Cat sighed, turning around and started stalking back to the house, grumbling to herself. By the time Cat got back, she was feeling incredibly tired. She shuffled her shoes off and plonked down on her bed and within minutes, she was fast asleep. When Cat woke, it was nearly dusk. "Oh, hells teeth!" She swore at the sight of the warm orange sky and raced to the bathroom. The parcel was there as Mr. Sheridan said and after a quick bath Cat grabbed the parcel and sprinted back to her room.

She snatched up her hair brush and yanked it through her hair. "Ow ow ow," she muttered. "Oh why, oh why did I fall asleep?"

"Cat?" came a distant yell from down stairs.

"Yes Mr. Sheridan?"

"Better hurry up now! The show opens in 2 hours. I'm off, I'll see you there!" he said and the door closed before Cat could reply.

Cat started hopping about in place, turning around, not knowing what she was looking for, when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. A red faced loon with wet hair stared back at her. Arrrgh! Dammit. No, no Cat not now, she thought to herself. No time to panic now, it won't do your appearance any good. Calm, calm. Caaaaalm down. She stopped and took deep breaths. The parcel caught her eye and she sat down on her hair and leaned against the desk. She carefully pried it open and gasped at the sight of the item that lay inside.

Cat pulled it out gently, as if it was too frail and beautiful. It was a midnight blue dress of silk and a black semi-transparent netted material. Holding it out in front of her she saw that it was sleeveless but dipped out around her shoulders. It was dusted lightly with black sparkles and went just below her ankles where the fabric bunched into small clusters like roses.

"Oh wow," Cat said softly laying it on herself to see how she would look in the mirror. A small piece of paper fell out and Cat bent down to grab it before it reached the ground. On it was small black writing that read:

To Cat,

Wishing you the best for your big night

Love Lizzie, Johnny and little Catherine.

Cat smiled and laid the dress down over the chair. She clambered up onto her bed and opened her window, hoping the evening breeze would dry her hair quickly. It had grown slightly over the years and was now a little past her shoulder. Cat ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at it.

After a while, Cats hair has dry but it was quickly coming to the opening time. She quickly slipped her dress on, admiring the snug fitting and how cunningly it hid her tattoo. Thank you Lizzie! If only you'd knew about my tattoo! Cat laughed and brushed he hair back into a bun and secured it with a black clip that the Duchess of Avon had given her. She pulled out a flat velvet box from her drawers and pulled a beautiful blue and black jeweled bracelet and matching choker. Cat stepped back and admired herself in the mirror, turning around. The choker looked well against her bare neck and the dress was surprisingly swishy. I could probably run in this if I wanted to, Cat thought. Clever Lizzie! She probably predicted that I might be running about in it like I usually do. Hopefully this time it won't be running away from things like danger and certain people with knives and what not. No, this time, Cat raised he head and smiled at her reflection. It would be towards a great future.