"But why not, darling?" Nina's mum asked her, "You have been so excited all week, not to mention how long you have been pleading with us to let you start dancing."

"I know, but now I'm just too scared," and she told her mum all that was worrying her.

For the next half an hour, Nina's mum managed to calm her down. She said that the beginners' class was a new class that had only started today so no-one would know anyone else and they too wouldn't know any steps yet either.

"The teacher also teaches a friend of your brother" her mum continued.

"And apparently she was really nice and very friendly. She has been known to raise her voice, but only when people were talking and not listening to her".

"As for falling over, it's highly unlikely," she reassured Nina.

Feeling slightly better, Nina agreed to go, but only when she had made her mum agree that she didn't have to go back if she didn't like it.

"Of course not," her mum replied, "After all, dancing is meant to be fun and I certainly don't want to waste my money by sending you to something you don't enjoy!"

"Thanks mum," Nina said, 'I really want to learn how to dance, so I am going to try to be brave.'

"That's my girl, now why don't you go and put on your new leotard."