Page 30 of The Ringmaster’s Daughter

Michel drew Beau close to him and patted his neck, whispering in his ear to calm him. Michel felt a sudden sharp sting on his arm. He looked to Werner who grinned at him, still holding the whip in the air.

‘It’s the only way to learn.’ Werner walked away, humming a tune as he did.

By late afternoon, Michel returned Beau to the carriage and opened his tent. There on the bed was the lunge whip. He knocked it to the ground and sat down. He lit a cigarette and thought of leaving. He could. He could just leave. Nothing was keeping him here. Werner was never going to be easy to work with. This was never going to work.

‘You all right?’ Jean walked into the tent. ‘Didn’t see you at breakfast or lunch.’

‘I was training Beau.’

‘The way you say that doesn’t sound too hopeful.’

‘It’s not him that’s the problem.’

‘So, who is?’

‘Werner.’

Jean sat next to him on the narrow bed. ‘With so many of us, there’s always someone who is a problem. Giordano drives me mad most of the time.’

‘It’s not that. It’s clear he doesn’t like me, so why give me a job? He gave me that.’ Michel nodded at the gift from Werner. ‘He says it’s the only way to learn.’

‘Wants to whip you into shape.’ Jean took the whip in his hands. ‘Maybe I can use this on Giordano when he snores? Ah, come Michel, put a smile on your face.’

‘There’s something else.’

‘What? Me?’

‘No, not you, Jean! Of course not. It was last night…’

‘You and Odélie?’

Michel looked at Jean, his mouth agape.

‘Word gets around quickly here. You’re not in trouble, don’t worry. Odélie had her eye on you on the train and didn’t stop talking about you even after you were gone. Just be careful there – she’s…’

‘She’s what?’

‘Tricky, Michel. Tricky.’

‘It wasn’t Odélie I was going to mention,’ Michel said, rubbing at the stubble on his chin.

‘Oh, yes! Someone else?’ Jean laughed. ‘Goodness, you work quickly.’

‘No, not that. Last night I heard Werner talking to Anton. He was just listening to the wireless, but Werner threatened him – said he would be thrown out! Just for listening to the radio? I can’t see how it can work, my staying here – I don’t know his rules, and even if I did, I am pretty sure I would willingly break them.’

‘When I was younger, I had an uncle, always shouting at something, always mad and thrashing about. Once, he got mad when the wind blew a tree over in the garden – he was mad at the wind, Michel! It was only when I was older that I realised he had had hard times as a child. The anger from that was still there.’

‘Is Werner your uncle by any chance?’ Michel laughed.

‘Not so! But you see what I mean? He is just a small angry man. Who knows what ails him? But he gives us work, food. No small thing these days. What else could we want?’

‘Apart from the freedom to listen to the radio?’

‘I see you have your humour back. Perhaps Werner simply did not enjoy the music?’ Jean slapped him on the back. ‘Come, you are just tired and in need of food before rehearsals.’

‘Rehearsals?’

‘Early evening. Dinner is always delayed until afterwards. You’ll be needed at some point. Better to eat now. Come, Giordano has coffee, Madame Geneviève cake. And me, cigarettes.’