Shells afOWhe

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by jay

Shells afOWhe is a chapter-based fiction text by Jackie Collins that opens with a copyright disclaimer and then begins Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. The narrative follows Nadine as she prepares for a production, recalling her grandmother’s ballet advice and the discipline behind her training. It introduces Carl the enthusiastic director and Nadine’s co-star August Diemer, highlighting rehearsal dynamics, staged romance imagery, and Nadine’s tension rooted in her past relationship.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

all Who eQhce Were JACKIE COLLINS Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2022 with funding fromKahle/Austin Foundation # Shells afOWhe We Once Were BY JACKIE COLLINS Copyright C2019 Jackie Collins Thisis a work offiction.Names,characters,places and incidents either are products ofthe author`s imagination or areused fictitiously.Any similarity to actual events orlocalesorper-sons,livingor dead is entirely coincidental. CHAPTER ONECHAPTER TWOCHAPTER THREECHAPTER FOURCHAPTER FIVECHAPTER SIXCHAPTER SEVEN Other Books by Jackie CollinsFree Book Gift}About the Author # Chapter 1 Leap,hope,and let the music take you.Thisphrase was what Nadine's grandmother alwaystold her when she was a little girl,strugglingto nail a grand jeté and aspiring to be a baller-ina when she was older.It was a cliché to themax,but it did help her become the dancer shewas today.That saying and her grandmother.Her grandmother would help Nadine bend hershoes,tie them,practice.Her grandmother wasa ballerina in her day.She was one of the biggestreasons Nadine decided to become one. # Chapter 2 "Welcome to the production of Le Prêtre Violet,"the dir-ector,Carl,said enthusiastically.He was dressed in a sleek graypolo and skinny jeans.His arms were broad and ecstatic,too ec-static. Nadine rolled her eyes.If she were not the lead,shewouldn't even be here.Sure,she loved a good romance,but shefelt aballet oftheircaliber wastoo good for something so simple.It's a rip off Romeo and Juliet with a bit more action,and that'sputting it nicely.The creative director always cared more aboutwhat would bring in people,though,and Nadine couldn't denyherownlove foracrowd.She gave aweak smile and clapped alongwiththe rest ofthe cast. Herco-starwas ayoung man named August Diemer.He wasa few years younger than her,had the best feet in the world,ac-cordingto any critique orteacher.He was great,they said.Nadinewas sure that she would love working and dancing with him in adifferent life,any life where her boyfriend hadn't owned the spotAugust held.And forthat,she hated him. August and she stood next to each other while everyonedid their own personal stretches.She squatted to loosen her glu-tes while August reached down for histoes.He kept glancing overat her,opening his mouth then closingit again.Eventually,he didspeak."Hey,"he said.It was casual like they were friendsor some-thing "Hey,"Nadine muttered back.She hated him,but there wasno need to act like a middle schooler about it.They had to spendweeks together rehearsing,and she was not willing to sacrificethe show over Lex,her boyfriend. “August Diemer.” "Nadine." “Nice to meet you,Nadine.Or should I say Juliet?” "It's Nadine,"she clipped back.“Where are you from?” “Buffalo.” “New York?” "Yep."She refused to smile “Nice.I’m from Sherman.” Nadine turnedto him."Where's that?" He smiled,happyto finally have amodicum ofher attention."Texas." “Oh.” “Yeah.” Leap,hope,andlet themusic take you. Day 1. *** "Nad,Gus.Let's try that one again before we finish,"Carlsaid.He stood below in front of the stage,legs planted and onearm resting under his chin.His pose made Nadine want to laugh.Carl was most definitely serious,but he always seemed so fakeserious when he did this,like the directors you saw at the theatrein every movie or play about a dancer.Carl was one in a million,but you wouldn't know it. "Got it,"August replied airily,steadying his breathing.Fightscenes were alwaystaxing. He sucked in a breath and went off stage to start from the begin- ning. Nadine was settled ina croisé in her place onthe stage.Shewas to stay like that until August came onto the stage,then shewas to fall.It was too simple,almost.She felt for August,whohad definitely been getting more ofthe work out ofthe pair eventhough she wasthe one who hadn't gottenthe right facial expres-sion(Carl wanted to see different versions and slightly wantedeverything changed no matter what she did)and the only reas

FAQs

What advice shaped Nadine’s early ballet ambition?

Nadine’s grandmother repeatedly told her to leap, hope, and let the music take her, and helped her with bending shoes, tying them, and practicing difficult moves.

Who is Carl in the story?

Carl is the director of the production, speaking enthusiastically and pushing the cast to repeat scenes until they meet his expectations.

How does Nadine feel about working with August?

Nadine feels conflicted and resentful toward August because of her boyfriend’s connection to the spot August holds, even while rehearsals force them to spend weeks together.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by jay