As soon as they got back backstage they celebrated.
"You did great!"
"Well done guys!"
"Great show!"
Lots of people came up to congratulate them.They knew they had done well but wanted to see whether they were best or not.It just so happened that,yes they were best.Cleaners had to go onto the stage to clean up after the last act.It had been particularaly messy act involving custard pies being thrown and foam being used.It took Caroline ten minutes to settle down the audience for her to conclude the show.When the audience was finally silent she began.
"Now I hope that you all enjoyed this afternoon.There will be a high tea in the courtyard in twenty minutes.Now , I think we should join our hands one last time to show our appreciation for the young actors!"
The room burst into applause as first the sock puppeteers.Finally Red,Eden and Delly were called to the stage .They jogged through the audience to the stage.
As Red approached the front of the stage his foot slipped on the wet floor and he fell off the stage, into the orchestra pit below,except there was no orchestra there to catch him.
He lay unmoving.
His eyes were closed tight.
Everyone panicked.Only Delly and Eden could stay calm.
Tali was outside waiting for all the actors to come out.She had decided to have a small word with the three Caroline had recommended to her.Where were they? Caroline had said she was going to close the performance and then start the high tea.But the tea table, while laid and set for numerous guests was deserted.
Tali stood up ,her heart thudding.Something must have gone wrong.
They ran to their best friend.Each kept a calm cool head and while Eden kept watch on Red Delly ran for a jug of water.Tipping it over the boy he woke with a start.
"What did you do that for Delly!?"
She shrugged the panic still in her eyes.
"To wake you up.You fell from the stage."
"I fell?"
Delly nodded slowly.
"Do you hurt anywhere?"
Red nods.
"My leg hurts."
To Delly who can see everything wrong with her best friend it isn't surprising.His leg is twisted at a very unusual angle and is probably broken.
"Red, we need you to stay lying down until the paramedics get here,Ok?"
Red nods stiffly before asking quickly.
"Where's Eden?"
"She's right here ,Red!"
It was the last thing he hears before falling unconscious.
