The Sequin Star

by Belinda Murrell

  Kit didn’t join them. He and his father had left early to attend to some business. It was mid-morning when Mrs Bruce gave them their last cup of tea and checked their wounds. They all enjoyed being mothered. Claire thought of her own mum and how concerned she must be – she certainly had enough to be anxious about without worrying about a missing or injured daughter.

  One of the police officers on duty out the front offered to drive them all home to the lot while the other drove the circus van.

  As they were dropped off, Alf strode over. Jem and Rosina looked at each other in alarm. Claire wondered what the boss was going to think of them arriving in a police car.

  Rosina stepped forward. ‘Alf, we –’

  ‘Did you hear the news?’ Alf shouted, grinning and stroking his moustache ‘The Red Terror has won the richest horserace in America.’

  ‘Phar Lap won the Agua Caliente Handicap?’ Jem asked.

  ‘He won by two lengths in front of twenty thousand people and broke the course record,’ Alf continued. ‘He could have won by more, but the jockey raced him longways, around the pack on the fence, to avoid any foul play from the other riders.’

  ‘He really is a wonder horse,’ said Rosina. ‘Remember when someone tried to shoot Phar Lap last year?’

  Claire shivered. She knew the legend of the mighty Phar Lap – and that he would soon die in rather mysterious circumstances, from what many believed was arsenic poisoning.

  ‘People all over Australia are celebrating,’ said Alf. ‘It’s one of the greatest days in Australian history.’ Alf chuckled again, clapping Jem on the back. ‘And it’s a great day for Sterling Brothers Circus, too.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Rosina asked. ‘Why?’

  ‘Well, it seems last night you three rescued one of the richest young men in Sydney,’ Alf replied. ‘Kit Hunter and his father came to see me this morning.’

  Rosina, Jem and Claire glanced at each other with delight.

  ‘And apparently your determination is to be rewarded,’ Alf added. ‘As a thank you, the Hunter family has booked out the Big Top tonight.’

  ‘Booked out the whole show?’ Rosina asked, astonished.

  Alf paused and wiggled his eyebrows. ‘But it is with one condition. Apparently young Mr Hunter wishes to have a special command performance.’

  Jem frowned and sighed. ‘I suppose Rosina is to be the star?’

  ‘Yes, she is . . . but he has also requested two other special acts.’ Alf smiled at Jem.

  ‘What acts?’ said Claire, wrinkling her nose.

  ‘He wants a juggling, knife-throwing, chair-balancing acrobat and Mademoiselle Claire, the famed French elephant rider,’ announced Alf, in his ringmaster’s voice. ‘Any ideas where I can find skilled performers like that?’

  Jem exchanged glances with Claire and Rosina. ‘Do you mean it? Claire and I are to perform in the ring tonight?’

  ‘You bet,’ Alf replied with a wink. ‘So you’d better get practising – I don’t want any embarrassing mistakes in my circus.’

  Jem whooped with delight. ‘Yes, sir. I’ll get onto it right away.’ Jem raced off to collect his props.

  Alf looked at Claire sympathetically, gesturing towards her bandaged hands. ‘Are you really up for performing in the ring tonight?’ he asked. ‘I’m sure Mr Hunter won’t mind if you’d rather not.’

  Claire hesitated, looking back and forth between Alf and Rosina. On the other side of the lot she could hear Elsie and Empress trumpeting. She glanced down at her smarting hands.

  Rosina smiled reassuringly. ‘Claire is good with the elephants and horses. She has been riding them and helping me look after them, and she has seen enough of the performances to know what to do. If she wants to perform, I can help her practise in the ring today.’

  Claire felt a rush of excitement. She was being offered the chance to ride an elephant in the ring. What were sore hands to stand in the way of that? ‘I’d love to. After all, the show must go on!’

  ‘Excellent,’ Alf said. ‘That’s the spirit. I look forward to seeing our new acts tonight.’

  Rosina smiled at Claire. ‘Come on then, Mademoiselle Claire. We have a lot of work to do before tonight. I’m going to make sure that you are brilliant in the ring.’

  Claire and Rosina spent the afternoon rehearsing. They began practising Claire’s entrance on the stretch of grass between the caravans. Much of the technique was similar to Claire’s ballet training, but Rosina was a perfectionist. She made Claire perform the walk again and again – back tall, shoulders straight and toes pointed gracefully. She coached her through the curtsy, making sure her arm was raised in a perfect balletic arc. Most importantly, she reminded her to hold a dazzling, showgirl smile at all times.

  The next stage of preparation was performing in the ring with the animals. Rosina gave Empress the commands and put her through her paces. In addition to riding the elephants in parade, Claire had to become comfortable on elephant back as Empress performed her tricks – climbing on pedestals, rearing and even balancing on a rolling barrel. Then they practised with the horses. The afternoon flew by and, as evening drew closer, Claire could feel her stomach churn with nerves.

  Soon it was time to dress. Claire wore pink tights with the turquoise-blue tutu spangled with silver stars. She carefully tied the ribbons of her satin ballet shoes, knotting them around the ankles. Her dark hair was pulled back with a blue headband that sparkled with sequins. The colour matched her eyes. She borrowed a pair of white leather gauntlets to protect her raw hands.

  Finally, Claire applied her heavy stage make-up of foundation, powder, black eyeliner and thick mascara. She looked into the speckled mirror. The reflection that stared back at her looked like a completely different girl from the one who had stumbled onto the circus lot ten days ago. Claire smiled and slicked on another coat of crimson lipstick. She was going to perform in the circus.

  Lastly, Claire pulled out the damaged sequin star brooch that she had been carrying in her jeans pocket. She carefully pinned it to the waist of her bodice. In some strange way, it seemed perfect to wear it in her first true circus performance.

  The circus performers and roustabouts hurried around the lot, fetching props and costumes. The menagerie crew moved the animals into the menagerie tent. Malia supervised the workers as they prepared popcorn, fairy floss, ice-creams and ginger beer for Kit’s guests.

  A red bus pulled up out the front and spectators began to stream through the gate and onto the lot. There were many families, most of whom looked like they had fallen on hard times. They were dressed in greys and browns and dingy khakis that were patched and darned and mended. Some of the children had bare feet, while others walked stiffly in shoes, as though they hadn’t been shod for months.

  One family gazed tentatively around the lot. Claire was the first to recognise a thin woman who was hunched over and coughing into her handkerchief.

  ‘Look, Rosina, there’s Mrs Bates. It’s Jem’s family,’ Claire called. ‘Mrs Bates!’

  Mrs Bates looked around, her gaunt face suddenly glowing with anticipation. She was followed by Jem’s brothers and sisters – Nancy, Tibby, Billie, Freddie, Becky and Lizzie – who were all scrubbed clean and dressed in the best clothes they could muster.

  Claire and Rosina rushed to welcome them all. Jem hurried over as soon as he saw them. His face was alive with excitement.

  ‘What are you all doing here?’ Jem asked. ‘How did you get here? It must have cost a fortune.’

  ‘We came on the bus,’ Nancy said. ‘Your friend sent it for us.’

  Jem frowned in confusion.

  ‘This morning, that lovely young friend of yours, Christopher, came to see us,’ Mrs Bates explained. ‘He invited all of the Happy Valley families to come to the circus tonight to see you perform – and he organised a bus to come to La Perouse.’

  �
��There was food on the bus,’ Billie said. ‘Fruit buns and apples and beef sandwiches.’

  ‘And ginger beer,’ Freddie added.

  Jem glanced at his brothers and sisters. ‘Kit Hunter sent a bus to bring you all to the circus?’

  ‘Yes,’ Tibby confirmed impatiently. ‘He said it was the most spectacular show in the world, and you are the star of it.’

  Claire exchanged a warm smile with Rosina. Jem blinked rapidly, fighting back tears.

  ‘He certainly is,’ Rosina agreed, ‘but now we had better get ready for the performance. Make sure you go in early so you can have front-row seats.’

  ‘And don’t forget to take a good look around when you go through the menagerie,’ Claire suggested. ‘All the animals will be in there waiting for you. Watch out that Elsie the elephant doesn’t steal your hats.’

  Tibby took off her straw sunhat and twirled it in her hands. ‘I hope she steals mine.’

  The Bates family hurried into the menagerie tent. Jem made sure they all had chocolate ice-creams and big boxes of popcorn.

  At last the show began. Alf strode into the spotlight in the centre of the ring, wearing his white jodhpurs, long riding boots, black jacket, red waistcoat and black top hat. He stroked his waxed moustache and called out into the Big Top, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls – prepare to be amazed and enchanted, shocked and enthralled. I have the great pleasure to present the one . . . the only . . . the most spectacular show in the world . . . Welcome to Sterling Brothers Circus . . . ’

  The band, dressed in their red uniforms, began to play the rousing tune that signalled the start of the grand march. All the performers were gathered in the menagerie tent in their spangled finery. Clowns, stilt-walkers, acrobats, aerialists and animals of all kinds paraded out and around the hippodrome.

  This time – for the first time – Claire joined in, riding high on Empress’s back, on top of her scarlet-and-gold rug. The two elephants plodded into the ring at the rear of the parade with plumes of scarlet feathers attached to their headgear. Empress held Elsie’s tail in front with her trunk.

  Claire smiled, waved and blew kisses until her cheeks ached. The applause was thunderous. Claire could see Jem’s family waving madly back at her from the front bench. Kit and his father were sitting beside them. She blew them all a kiss.

  When the parade was over, the individual acts began. Claire realised that she knew which act was to come by the music the band played. She helped out as usual in the ring door tent with the props and costumes, watching many of the acts through the crack in the curtain.

  Rosina was determined to perform her bareback dancing routine for the Happy Valley children. It was the first time she had attempted it since her accident. Claire held her breath anxiously as Rosina danced on Pluto’s satiny black rump, changing feet, landing backwards and balancing on one leg. Claire soon relaxed as Rosina executed each movement perfectly, a broad smile on her face, waving and blowing kisses.

  Jem’s family went wild as Rosina launched into a somersault, knees tucked to her chest, dark hair flying. Rosina did a final somersault and landed in the sawdust for her curtsy. Claire clapped along with everyone in the audience.

  At last it was time for the elephant act. Rosina checked her make-up in the small, cracked mirror. Claire took off the dressing gown she was wearing over her costume. Rosina straightened Claire’s headdress.

  ‘Ready?’ Rosina asked. Lula chittered to Claire from Rosina’s shoulder. Claire took a deep breath.

  ‘Ready,’ Claire agreed.

  ‘Smile,’ Rosina prompted, turning her attention to the elephants. ‘Trunks up. Walk on.’

  The two girls sauntered out together into the ring beside Elsie, with Empress plodding behind. The spotlight dazzled Claire’s eyes. The crowd roared. Claire didn’t need to be reminded to smile – she was beaming from ear to ear.

  Jem, wearing his turban, rolled out the big pedestals and placed them on the sawdust. Alf called instructions. Empress curled her trunk around Claire’s waist and hoisted her up to the top of her back. Elsie lifted Rosina.

  Claire remembered to sit tall and proud, her arm curved aloft, as Empress sat on the pedestal, balancing on her haunches. Empress and Elsie climbed on top of the pedestals then reared back on their hind legs, the girls clinging to their backs. The crowd cheered. Empress waved her trunk as though conducting the audience to even greater applause. Elsie walked the tightrope.

  Then it was time for Empress’s final trick. Claire took a deep breath, her stomach fluttering. At Alf’s command, Empress climbed on top of a barrel and rolled her way across the ring. Claire sat on her back, looking both graceful and daring. Finally, Empress wound her trunk around Claire’s waist and gently lowered her to the ground. Empress sank down on one knee, stretched out the other foreleg and bowed her great head to the sawdust.

  Claire dropped into a deep curtsy. The crowd voiced their appreciation. Claire felt like she was floating on air as she walked out, the huge elephant swaying beside her.

  In the second act, the suave magician, Manfred the Magnificent, was noticeably absent. Instead, a young boy with a thatch of blond hair and a face full of freckles swaggered into the ring wearing an Indian turban and robes, accompanied by a great golden dog with speckled tan-and-white feet. Rosina and Claire both stood entranced, peering through the gap in the ring curtains.

  Jem juggled flashing knives and golden balls. He tumbled and turned around the ring in a circle of somer­saults, followed by Jaspar, copying him. He carried his chair into the ring and balanced upside down, first on two legs of the chair and then on one leg.

  Next he repeated the chair trick, but this time, balancing on two chair legs on a tightrope, three metres above the ground. The chair wobbled for just a moment, then Jem corrected his stance, his arms straining as his legs stretched into the air. He held the pose, then gracefully dropped to the ground, brandishing the chair above his head. Jem’s brothers and sisters in the front row went wild. Mrs Bates cried with dread and pride.

  Lastly, as his grand finale, Jem led Kali the contortionist, dressed in flowing orange robes, out into the centre of the ring. He helped her into the box on top of the table, then set to work sawing her in half. At first Kali wiggled her toes and waved her hands, then she closed her eyes as though plunged into a deep swoon.

  The crowd went wild. Lizzie began to sob. Claire felt herself, once more, holding her breath, terrified that the act would go wrong. Mrs Bates lifted Lizzie on her lap and nuzzled her hair as Jem slammed the blades down into the ends of the box. A woman in the audience screamed.

  Jem pulled the two parts of the box apart to show that he really had sawed it – and the girl inside – in half. The crowd thundered. Jem pushed the two halves back together. Kali lay there, lifeless and still.

  The boy magician leant over and kissed her on the lips. Kali came to life, kissed him back and sprang out of the box, whole. Claire clapped and clapped, regardless of her raw palms. Rosina stood and cheered.

  As Kali and Jem bounded out of the ring, followed by Jaspar, Rosina squeezed him close. ‘You were sensational,’ she whispered. ‘It was truly fabulous.’

  Jem hugged her back. ‘Give it a rest, mutton-head. I wasn’t a patch on Manfred the Magnificent.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ Rosina protested. ‘Manfred is a slime and a snake. Your performance is much better.’

  The next act was the twelve liberty horses – six snow-white and six black Friesians cantering around the ring. Rosina rode Florian while Claire rode Pluto. The twelve horses, alternating black then white, pranced and pirouetted in time to the music.

  Alf signalled with his lunging whip. The horses stopped and sank to the ground – all except for Florian and Pluto. With the two girls clinging on tightly, the great stallions reared up on their hind legs and walked across the sawdust on their two hind legs.

  Alf lowered
his whip and the stallions dropped back to four legs. All twelve horses stood in a row, white then black, and each knelt on their right foreleg, head to the ground, stretching their left leg out in front in a graceful bow.

  Claire and Rosina slipped down to the sawdust floor. They held hands and walked towards the audience. With a smile at each other, they sank into a deep curtsy. The crowd cheered and yelled, stamping their feet in unison. Rosina called over her shoulder to Jem. After a moment’s coaxing, he ran forward to join them, bowing and beaming.

  The final acts raced past to the grand climax of Adella and Carlos’s double-trapeze act, as they flew and somersaulted high above the net.

  Alf strode into the centre of the ring and stood in the spotlight. His voice rose above the tumult. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that is the conclusion to tonight’s performance of the Sterling Brothers Circus. Today – a day in which our greatest champion, Phar Lap, won the richest race in America – some of our greatest circus performers helped foil a dastardly crime. So, for now at least, perhaps we can forget our woes and celebrate.’

  There was a resounding cheer from the audience.

  ‘Our patrons tonight, the Hunter family, and our performers would like to invite you to stay for a post-performance party in the circus ring. Eat, drink, dance and be merry.’

  Everyone crowded down towards the performers. The band played swing and jazz tunes. Rosina, Claire, Jem and Kit danced in the ring, twisting, dipping and spinning on the sawdust. Rosina and Kit broke off from the group and swayed in each other’s arms like they were the only people in the world.

  The Sterling children, Peggy, Stella and Leo, played with Jem’s siblings, teaching them how to walk on their hands and turn cartwheels. Rosina broke away from Kit to take all the children for rides around the hippodrome on Elsie and Empress. Brownie the cook carried in platters of little meat pies and sausage rolls, followed by fruitcake and icy-cold bottles of foaming ginger beer. Everyone ate, drank, laughed and danced until the children were yawning and sleepy.