Page 27 of The Ringmaster’s Daughter

‘Werner? He says that to all the workers. Doesn’t like them being too friendly with the talent – says it distracts us.’

‘And are you talent?’

‘Is it not obvious?’ Odélie stood and pirouetted in front of him. ‘I am the lead acrobat; Werner did not mention me? No, of course not. He’s in love with the triplets at the moment and I, alas, am out of favour for now. But not for long. Have you met our triplets? Strange creatures.’

‘Michel! You’re here! I thought it was not true. But here you are.’ The long figure of Jean-Jacques loomed in front of him and Odélie turned, a crease of annoyance on her brow.

Michel stood and allowed Jean to pull him into an embrace.

‘I am so sorry for what happened – it was my fault.’

‘It really wasn’t you.’

‘Ah, you are too kind.’ Jean-Jacques bowed as if asking Michel for a dance. ‘But I should have left you hidden. I had thought that perhaps a quiet word with Werner after his breakfast would have worked; but Serge beat me to it.’

‘You certainly know how to make an entrance, Jean.’ Odélie stalked away.

Michel watched as she went; the swing of her hips, the sway of her hair.

‘Be careful there.’ Jean-Jacques followed his gaze. ‘She’s a tough one.’

‘Werner said I was to have a tent?’

‘Giordano is on his way with it.’

‘And you are here to help put it up?’ Michel grinned.

‘I’ll supervise.’

The following hours were spent with heavy grunts from Giordano, shouting and swearing. Finally, a small white canvas tent, dirty and stained around the skirt, was erected. As Michel hit the last wooden post into the soft soil, a bell rang out, softly at first, but growing louder and more insistent with each chime.

‘Dinner!’ Giordano yelled, and disappeared around the striped Big Top.

Michel laid down his sledgehammer and wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm.

‘Hungry?’ Jean asked.

They ambled along towards where Giordano had disappeared and found themselves at the back of a long line.

‘Should have run with Giordano,’ Jean said.

Michel tried to look down the line for the glimpse of blue-black hair but could not find her amongst the throng.

‘Odélie? She’ll be up front with the triplets – they’re young, see, so they get fed first.’

‘And the others?’

‘Others?’

‘You know… Serge, and Werner.’

‘Ah, Werner will have his delivered. Serge will be delivering it to him. Anyone else you’re curious about?’ Jean raised his eyebrow quizzically.

‘No, that’s everyone.’

‘Of course, Madame Geneviève, being the lady that she is, will dine with the other ladies. Like Frieda, for example, our trapeze artist. Extraordinary talent – something to see when she is flying through the air.’

Michel looked at Jean. ‘I thought Anton was the trapeze act?’