CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT – IS ALL HOPE LOST?

Sophie clambered to her feet eagerly. "Ooh, my turn, my turn! I've been practicing all day!" And practice she had - it became swiftly apparent as the impish girl launched into an impressively elaborate dance routine filled with whirling leaps and kicks that Kayla could scarcely track with her eyes. Julian let out another raucous whistle of encouragement as his sister executed a perfect triple pirouette followed by an aerial cartwheel. "Where on earth did you learn moves like that, young lady?" Kayla called out, shaking her head in unbridled delight at the sheer exuberance on display. Sophie flashed her a mischievous grin as she struck her final pose, chest heaving ever-so-slightly. "Just pick up a few things now and then, Miss Nosy!" The festivities continued for hours after that, with Kayla and the others taking turns in the spotlight or joining in on simple song-and-dance routines that grew increasingly elaborate - and raucous - as fatigue gradually fell away. At one point, J