DM Margo's Big Ballet Dance Chapter 1

''Ok everyone got everything they need?'' Gru asked as the family helped to load all the luggage onto his house boat which he called the Gru Steer. ''Yeah!'' the others called out with glee.

The family was on its way to perform at a dance festival by the river since they had quite a way to go, Gru, Dru and Lucy had arranged for the family spend the night on the boat [moored up] and continue the journey the next day.

The girls who were going to do a ballet recital had their costumes on so they could practise on the way so they knew what they had to do for the real thing.

Margo who was the best at ballet and enjoyed it a lot compared to her two little sisters, was going to do a really special dance and even had a new ballerina costume for the event.

''I've gotta think of a special dance for the show'' she told Gru, Dru and Lucy, ''so I can be the star of the show. I'm gonna rock this town. What do you think of my new costume?''.

''Eet's very pretty Margo. But we're gonna need all hands on deck if we're ever gonna get there at all'' Gru told her as he started up the engine. Margo sighed, "Yes, Dad."

Margo, Edith and Agnes practised their ballet dances as the boat chugged slowly along the river through the countryside. Waves crashed and splashed. After a while, Gru said, ''Ok girls, eet's time to do some tasks like real sailors. Change out of your costumes into your normal clothes''. ''Ok Dad'' said Agnes heading inside the boat's cabin to the bedroom the girls were sharing. ''No problem'' said Edith following her little sister.

''Aren't you gonna change out of your costume and wear your normal clothes Margo?'' Lucy asked, ''You don't wanna ruin it''. But Margo smiled sweetly and shook her head.

"No way!" she said, ''I've decided to stay in my costume and I'm gonna wear it if I'm going to turn this place upside down''.

Margo didn't stop practising her dance steps, expect for asking questions like ''What do you think of this move Mom?'' or ''Doesn't this look good Dad?'' or ''Is this twirl gonna be good enough Uncle Dru?''.

''You're a sailor now Margo'' Lucy reminded her sternly. But Margo wasn't listening to a word her mom was saying.

''The boat needs a coat of paint'' said Gru, ''Margo please can you spare a moment? It won't take long''. He handed Margo a paintbrush. ''But Dad'' Margo protested, ''I've really gotta practise my ballet to be the star of the show, I've got a whole new dance ahead of me and I need to get just right!''.

Margo waltzed about and didn't notice she'd accidently knocked over a tin of paint, leaving little footprints all over the deck of the boat!

"MARGO!" Gru roared angrily. ''JUST LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE! LOOK AT DIS MESS!''.

"Uh, Dad," Margo started to say. But Gru was too cross to listen. ''ENOUGH!" he snapped, ''Go and help your mom in the kitchen below deck to prepare the stew for lunch and try to stay out of trouble''.

''Yes Dad'' Margo sighed as she headed inside to where Lucy had been busy cooking lunch for all of them.

''Oh hello Margo'' Lucy said, ''How are you getting on with practising your ballet dancing honey?''.

''Dad sent me in toy help you cos I accidently knocked over the tin of paint'' Margo sighed. ''Well try to be more careful next time honey'' said Lucy, ''Paint can hard to clean up''.

''Lunch's in the oven sweetie'' said Lucy, ''Would you mind keeping an eye on it while I go check on the others?''. ''Sure Mom'' replied Margo humbly.

While Lucy was gone, Margo practised her plies. But she forgot to watch the stew and it burned causing smoke to fill the boat. Outside, Lucy was talking to Gru and Dru.

Suddenly, Gru sniffed. ''Ugh! What's that horrible burning smell?'' he said. ''Uh brother, there's smoke coming from inside the boat !'' cried Dru. Lucy let out a frightful gasp. She knew exactly what it was. "My stew!" she hollered, running inside as quickly as she could.

Lucy heard the smoke alarm going BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP! She charged into the smoke filled kitchen, coughing and spluttering.

Lucy turned off the oven, grabbled some gloves and took the stew out to find it had completely burned. Then she opened the windows to let the smoke out. Lucy saw Margo practising her plies as if nothing had happened and knew she hadn't been watching the stew.

"MARGO!" Lucy roared. ''What is it Mom?'' Margo asked. ''How could you let this happen? You could have caused a fire! Now we'll have to find something else for lunch!''.

''Sorry Mom'' Margo said, ''I forgot to watch''. Lucy just growled. ''This is cos you're practising too much on your ballet dancing'' she grumbled angrily, ''Don't you think you've done enough?''.

"Uh, no?" Margo laughed nervously, ''I've gotta get my dance steps just right to be the star of the show''. Lucy bared her teeth, growling.

After lunch, that afternoon, Margo went outside to practise her arabesques and got tangled up in the washing line and Dru's fishing rod. "Uh, little help?" she groaned, ''Please?''.

Gru, Dru and Lucy came to rescue Margo, even though they were rather fed up with her. "Honestly, Margo," Gru complained. ",''I'm surprised at you! This isn't like you at all! Even Edith doesn't cause this much trouble!''.

What's got into you?". "This ain't like you at all!" Lucy growled crossly. ''You could have broken my fishing rod!'' Dru scowled.

''That's enough Margo!'' said Gru, Dru and Lucy all at the same time. "Guys, I'm sorry," Margo stammered. "I can explain, I-I-I didn't mean. . .

''That's enough young lady!'' Lucy snapped, ''We'll talk about this at bedtime''. At bedtime and Edith and Agnes climbed into their bunk beds with Kyle, Blondie and Lucky sleeping close to them.

Gru, Dru and Lucy came to talk to Margo as she got into her single bed. 'Dis ballet practising had got to stop'' said, ''You've done more than nessiceraly'' Lucy added. ''The real thing's tomorrow'' Dru finished.

Margo nodded and settled down to sleep in her single bed while her sisters slept in the bunk beds with Edith on the top bunk and Agnes on the bottom with Lucky.