Read Online The Sequin Star by Belinda Murrell - Free Book Online Page B

charcoal-grey jacket, lighter trousers, a white shirt and red tie with a dark fedora and brown suede shoes. A silk kerchief, matching his tie, peeked from his pocket. He leant against a tree and watched all the performers and animals with detached amusement.
    Behind him, parked near the tree, was a shiny black Bentley limousine. It was long and slung low, its polished chrome fittings gleaming. The chauffeur, in his peaked cap and pristine grey uniform, waited patiently.
    Suddenly the young man stood up and straightened his tie. Claire realised that he had seen Rosina perched upon her elephant. A look of admiration crossed his face.
    As the procession continued down the main street, the young man began to walk along beside Elsie, watching Rosina smile and wave. He wasn’t the only townie following the procession. Kids of all ages ran along, calling out and laughing. The procession continued for about half an hour until it wound its way into a large, vacant block.
    Some of the trucks and lorries carrying the heavy circus gear were already parked in the lot. Several roustabouts had driven them there while the procession was being prepared.
    The dusty block was the size of a couple of large football fields and looked like it had just been mown. It was next door to a large, unoccupied department store at the end of a strip of shops. The store’s floor-to-ceiling glass display windows were boarded up, and there was a timber hoarding nailed over the door, with bright circus posters pasted all over it.
    Flash Frank, a menagerie worker, guided the elephants to their pickets at the side of the block, next to the wall.
    â€˜Down,’ Rosina ordered.
    The two elephants lay down on their sides so that Rosina and Claire could dismount. Empress flapped her ears and harrumphed.
    Claire felt a little disappointed that her elephant ride was over. She patted Empress on her shoulder before sliding to the ground. Empress snaked her trunk over Claire’s shoulder and gently blew in her face. Claire squealed in surprise.
    â€˜She likes you,’ said Rosina. ‘Elephants are very affectionate to people they like.’
    Claire rubbed the end of Empress’s trunk. ‘She’s beautiful.’
    Elsie harrumphed gently in Claire’s face.
    â€˜Just be careful though, Claire,’ warned Rosina. ‘Don’t come near the elephants by yourself. As affectionate and gentle as they seem, they can be dangerous. One of the elephant trainers we knew was crushed by his elephant, and the poor creature seemed to be the most placid in the world.’
    Claire stepped back. ‘That’s awful. Aren’t you frightened of them?’
    â€˜No,’ scoffed Rosina. ‘We just have a healthy respect for each other. Come on, we’d better get changed before Alf starts roaring – there is a lot to do to get set up.’

6
Pandemonium

    The girls were just heading back towards the caravan when Claire noticed the dapper young man again. He was hovering in the background, watching them. All around, roustabouts were carrying heavy poles and laying out the canvas. Alf was riding on horseback around the lot, shouting out directions where tents and vehicles were to go.
    â€˜Rosina, do you know that young man over there?’ Claire asked. ‘He keeps staring at you.’
    Rosina glanced over at the young man and tossed her head. The ostrich plumage danced. ‘No idea,’ she replied.
    Seeing that he had been noticed, the young man started forward and came over, tipping his hat.
    â€˜Good afternoon, ladies,’ he said. His pronunciation was quite different to the working-class accent of the circus people, revealing an upper-class education. ‘My name is Kit Hunter, and I just wanted to say how much I am looking forward to seeing your performances tonight.’
    Claire took a sharp breath. ‘Kit? Kit Hunter?’ Was this debonair young gentleman actually her dead grandfather ? Claire