Monday 24 June 2013

Penny Does a Runner: Part VII

The gaily-coloured big top came into sight first, the flags atop the huge circus tent fluttering prettily against the blue sky. Penny was tired from the walk from school but, the circus now in view, she skipped the remaining distance to the showground with a renewed spring in her step.

Once amongst the tents, stalls and rides she looked about herself in wonder, the sights and sounds in every direction promising fun. This was the life for her, she thought with a happy smile.

But how to go about joining the circus, she wondered, feeling suddenly unsure of herself. The next moment she jumped in surprise as a man weaved past her on a unicycle, disappearing round a corner before she could catch his attention. She was similarly unsuccessful in approaching a pair of men walking a huge tiger. Just as she was about to become discouraged, a pair of young women stepped out of a nearby caravan, dressed in leotards and capes. She felt sure that they would be able to help.

“You’ll want to speak to Mr Carter,” said one of the women in reply to Penny’s enquiry. “He’s the one who runs it all. His trailer is the big blue one on the end there.”

Penny smiled a grateful thank you and raced off to the circus owner’s caravan. She took a deep breath for courage, knocked on the door and was greeted by a distinguished silver-haired gentleman in a red jacket and white jodhpurs. “Yes?” he said.

“Mr Carter? My name is Penny Has... uh, Smith and I... well, I’d like to join your circus!”

The circus-master raised his eyebrows and looked the fresh-faced girl up and down. “I see... and you are how old, exactly, Penny Has-Smith?”

Penny hesitated. “I’m, er... eighteen!” she beamed, doing her best to look that age.

Mr Carter thought for a moment then showed Penny inside. She was a pretty enough girl, and he did need a new usherette, after all. Poor Mary, sat on by an elephant during the matinée show... peanuts everywhere. Tragic.



An usherette – how super! thought Penny. She would get to travel the country with the circus, eat all the toffee apples she wanted, see the performers in action and not have to risk life and limb herself... and she might even get paid!


PART VI
PART VIII

19 comments:

  1. Great plan. I so enjoyed it. Thank you. Penny
    Henry Bunter

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    1. Thanks, Henry! (Are you by any chance a relation of the dear Harry?)

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  2. Mary, Mary, the explosion of peanuts :D Free shows for Penny! Will she ever take to the stage?

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    1. lol, that bit still cracks me up. I so evil.

      And Penny may indeed find herself roped in to perform... :D

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  3. lets just hope little penny is careful and stays away from the elephants

    Timmy

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    1. Indeed! :) She would be much less fun flat.

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  4. Poor Mary, lol, but how super, indeed, for lucky Penny. I can't wait to see what comes next.

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    1. Yep - one girl's elephant-related misfortune is another's gain.

      So glad you're enjoying it :)

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  5. :) Cute cute!

    Well, Mary's misfortune is Penny's good luck?? I have a feeling things will go wrong soon…

    *giggling*

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    1. :D

      Oh yes. Things are going altogether too well for the young Miss Has-Smith. We'll have to fix that!

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  6. I'm sure you willlook great in an usherette's uniform, Penny.I'll have some of that tub ice cream with the wooden spoon..)

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    1. *curtseys, blushing*

      You can have any flavour as long as it's not peanut.

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    2. Something very sweet and naughty just like you, please.

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  7. Very nice Penny.

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  8. I do hope Penny doesn't suffer the same fate as Mary.

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    1. lol, me too Aunty! I quite like not being flat as a card.

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  9. No Andrea, I think a good bare botty smacking is the elephant in the room ...Strict Uncle

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