Page 30 of The Wonder of You

I watch as Henry and Phoenix attempt to fix one of the circus poles. The storm from last night ripped it out and it hasn’t been so easy to get back into the slot. The tent flaps around in the last of the heavy winds.

“This is a fucking nightmare,” Henry huffs.

“Language!” I say, shaking my head in disapproval. I don’t mind occasional swearing, but not with Maudie nearby. Henry looks at me and rolls his eyes.

“When they’re done, can we paint some rocks?” Maudie begs, running up beside me, taking my hand to watch the drama of the loose circus tent.

“Of course, but perhaps inside the cabin as I think the wind might blow everything away,” I tell her. I continue to watch with a smile on my face as Phoenix holds the pole in place and Henry tries pushing it further into the ground. He starts getting frustrated and results in kicking it. After around ten minutes or so more, they both sigh with relief as everything fixes itself. The moment of joy doesn’t last long. Toni arrives on the scene, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Phoenix, we have some visitors. I’m a bit unsure about them.” Toni looks concerned as she tells him, and that instantly raises concern within me too.

I see the women in the large brown coats and pointy hats. They’re slightly hunched over and carry large sticks with them. Their hoods are not covering their face enough so I can see their old leathery skin, the deep wrinkles around their eyes and lips. These are undoubtedly witches. Henry joins Phoenix, to my relief, as he approaches them. I can hear the conversation as I stand back and hold Maudie’s hand tighter. I do not trust witches, especially around children. There is no logical reasoning to that, maybe it’s just the scary bedtime stories we were told as kids so that we would behave. How the witches were in the forest waiting for someone vulnerable to come close. It’s the first time I think of my sister in a very long time. She knew the stories creeped me out and so she used to tease me more. My father never shut her up.

“What can I help you with, ladies?” Phoenix asks respectfully.

“We need jobs, we want to work here,” the woman at the front says. Her voice is croaky, but loud. She doesn’t sound as if she’s asking a question, but more so making a demand. I have a bad feeling about this.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have anything available,” Phoenix says calmly.

“Why would they want a job with us?” Maudie whispers, but I can’t respond to her right now. My stomach whirls around in fear of these women.

“We cannot join the freak show?” the woman behind her sniggers as she fixes her large pointy brown hat on her head.

“Hey, we’re not a freak show. I don’t appreciate you saying that moments after asking us for a job.” Henry is quick to chime in. He won’t let anyone offend his circus, his family. The women start scanning the circus. I put my head down and turn Maudie to face me. I don’t want them to catch onto my fear, but I don’t want them staring at Maudie either.

“A clown child?” one croaks. The third woman who had been quiet until this moment lets out a loud cackle. The sound rips through my body, it is haunting. I decide this is the best time to get Maudie into the cabin and out of sight.

“Don’t walk away, young woman, let me see the girl.” The woman holds out her hand as if she is a kind, loving grandmother who wants to see her granddaughter. I am starting to think the bedtime stories of witches luring children away are true. Maudie tenses as I ignore the women and continue to walk her away.

“Don’t speak to her,” Lukas says, his voice is calm, but I know it won’t be long until he breaks into his protective father mode.

“Oh blimey, don’t even look my way, clown man! Disgusting!” All the witches cackle. The sound is enough to give anyone nightmares. Maudie cries as I gently push her away.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interact with my staff.” I hear Phoenix say, his voice firm, but I know he is struggling internally with these women being cruel towards his friends. I also know he calls us staff because he’s worried the witches may take advantage if they know about personal relationships. Dangerous people can play on that. It’s one of the reasons they wanted to see Maudie, they know she is more than just a member of staff in the circus, she’s someone’s beloved daughter. She means something to someone. She’s Lukas’ heart walking outside of his chest, that makes them both vulnerable.

“Oh, you think you’re so special?” the witch snickers.

“Move along please, we’re done here now.” Toni’s voice is loud enough to hear even though we’re now safely in the cabin. We both watch as the witches leave and make their way back through the woodland. I notice the way one witch looks back at us. I hope I don’t have to worry about this.