Circus of Friends

By Alan Keith

The novel begins on 20 December 2007, the twenty-first birthday of musician, illusionist, escapologist and entertainer, Andrew Miller, showbiz name, Captain Romano. It starts in Regent's Park half way through a show when Captain Romano is in his dressing room having a rest after the first half of the circus and thinking about seeing his girlfriend and fiancee Jennifer Keating for a drink later after the show. When he is preparing to go into his dressing room for a private rest he is interrupted by a young Mexican man who when Andrew allows him in to talk gives his name as Carlos Meza Lopez. He tells Andrew he is a rich and powerful leader of a Mexican drug cartel called Juarez and regards him as a future member. He tells Andrew he will be well paid and also will be allowed to become a part of the cartel and its authoritative body, which is made up not only of Carlos but also his six brothers. As he comes from a poor family and has always been poorly paid by his employer Edward Smyth, (Show Biz name, Lord Beauchamp) the thought of being well paid and having a powerful position in society he finds very tempting. He knows however being involved in the operations of a drug cartel, working as a go-between and trafficker he knows may well cause trouble between himself and all his circus friends and in public where he is regarded as a great young popular performer but most of all he thinks just how much being involved in drugs and Mexican drug wars will devastate Jennifer who has often said how she opposes drugs and the people who traffic them. The circus concludes with Andrew having agreed to leave London the following day and fly with Carlos who has only been staying in London for three days to see his son who lives in the city with his uncle. When Andrew is flown to the mansion which belongs to Carlos he is introduced to the family but is welcomed by the Lopez brothers in a hostile manner.

This story is based on a true story which happened to a circus boy with a travelling circus in Atlanta in 2004. In the true story the boy escaped from the cartel leader however I changed the story slightly to fit the characters I have created.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781467883436

Alan Keith

I was born in Middlesbrough in February 1963 and had many ambitions when I was young, mainly to be extremely well-educated and on leaving school going on to college and university before as I did intend when young moving to London to begin a new career with a well-paid job and beginning a completely new life. When I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of eleven, I was completely thrown by this news, which horrified me and completely turned my life upside down. My consultant overdosed me with anti-epileptic medication, and until the age of twenty-seven, when I went to London for a better treatment, my life was empty because of the severely ill way I was. However, I was supported by a small number of people who supported me through many difficult years in my life. Eventually, however, after being treated for my condition in the South London Hospital, despite still suffering with uncontrolled epilepsy, I have been feeling clear-headed, and in 1990, I went to Deeds University, where I studied for five years for a Bachelor of Arts degree in which I was successful, and then in 1996, I studied for one year for a Master of Arts degree at the Purple Shield University. After passing this successfully, I had a period of several years I took quietly, still suffering epileptic seizures. However, after a three-week stay in New York in 2007, I have had two books published so far, and now that I am seriously involved in politics, I am intending to stand in the May 2015 General Election for the Stockton North constituency and beginning a new career as the MP, both representing the people of the Stockton North constituency and people national and international who suffer from epilepsy, which is a brain condition which though it is devastating still many people do not know a great deal about it and exactly how devastating it is.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter One

Regent’s Park, London; December 20 2007

Disagreement within Edward Smyth’s travelling circus company was not an habitual concern yet that Thursday afternoon torrential driving rain had caused something of a rift between the more respected colleagues. Rain and hail had descended the city for the last twenty-four hours and now as the company was rehearsing Edward to the accord of the majority of his employees was preparing to cancel the evening’s show. Not for the first time, and to the displeasure of many members Andrew Miller, in his more distinguished role as Captain Romano ensured the evening’s show, despite the hail and rain would go on. Already Andrew’s twenty-first birthday had been an un-memorable day and the terrible biting weather made it a birthday which could quite easily at that time be overlooked. He had not been parading his dexterity openly for a long time nevertheless his charisma and ostentation were already being mused over up by the multitude of men, women and children who had seen him perform and reported in the media with profound anticipation given towards the young man’s future career in the world of showbiz. It had seemed that afternoon as the temperature continued to drop noticeably and an arctic wind picked up the consent of the company but for Andrew was to leave the show that night and enjoy the comforts their mobile homes provided them. The fact that the park was deserted and the usual crowds milling around the turnstiles were not in attendance were a great comfort to Andrew’s colleagues, yet to their disapproval a television interview organized by Andrew at the eleventh hour had revived the public’s excitement and fascination in the travelling circus and as was usually so brought them flocking in great numbers to the Big Top. Calling the night’s show off was then unworkable much to the anger of Edward but to Andrew, bringing the crowds back on such a horrendous night he considered another of his many wonderful achievements.

Being born into a poor family Andrew had up to his twenty-first birthday always been half-starved and trim bodied but leaving home when only fifteen and receiving a more wholesome diet his physical build had been continually enhanced and toiling long hours as an illusionist, juggler and escape artist had further transformed him into a lean figured young man with a healthy complexion and muscular outline. Edward had given Andrew an audition with his travelling circus three and a half years ago and an opportunity to become a part of the biggest and most renowned circus in the world at that time. It was an opportunity Andrew was never going to squander. How noteworthy it was their rapport began the moment they first made eye contact, it became a father son relationship, Edward the father gave his prudent and farsighted suggestions to any of Andrew’s more severe concerns he raised and Andrew the son listened intently and acted on the suggestions accordingly. Until that bitter sopping night Andrew Miller and Edward Smyth had always without any disagreement or fall out organized the evening shows together yet very soon once the show had ended circumstances were going to alter dramatically.

At the interval Andrew having displayed his tricks of illusion for over forty minutes to a packed and fascinated audience was returning to his personal and private dressing room for a well earned breather when he heard voices of two men who were following him. One voice he found easy to distinguish, the sonorous, severe and yet alluring voice used when playing the part of ringmaster, stage name Count Beauchamp was that of Edward Smyth. Yet the second voice he could not recognize, regarding it as calm, controlled and slightly foreign. Standing outside the door he listened to the unrelenting and nauseating quarrelling until finally his usual mild mannered temperament was momentarily no longer and he stared at them flicking his sizeable cobalt blue eyes from figure to figure angrily exclaiming, ‘Damn it Mr Smyth what the hell has happened to the security with our circus? We have discussed this before and each time I have made reference to it you have assured me this is a matter you will always address. This stranger may be harmless or he might be a terrorist wanting to kill me; and before you start laughing it is always a possibility with my well-known reputation. Assassinating me would be well publicized and bring any terrorist group much exposure. Mr Smyth, this simply is not good enough!’ Edward protested with just as much wrath in his voice as Andrew had displayed. ‘Andrew blast it, do not condemn me with such ill-feeling, I certainly do not deserve it! I have tried to stop this man reaching your dressing room but he just ignored my orders to stop and pushed me aside.’ Andrew gave one of his distinctive loud and scornful laughs.

‘For God sake look at the man, I would guess he is only about five feet small and not exactly how I would describe as muscular! Don’t make such pathetic excuses and get rid of him while I have my well earned breather!’ For a time the little man stepped aside and watched the conflict progress smiling gently in amusement. Edward’s eyebrows were raised high and he pointed one of his lengthy fingers onto Andrew’s chest calling, ‘Mr Miller I do not only organize the show and manage the company but I am also in the ring in my capacity as ringmaster. I cannot be everywhere at the same time. This man was making his way to your dressing room while I was closing the first half of the show so I will have less of your lip! And don’t forget I am not just the company manager, I am also the employer of EVERY member of the company. I can dismiss any member whenever I wish so if I were you I would hold your tongue!’ The short dark skinned man who had been paying great attention to the on-going conflict at length decided he had heard enough and standing between the two he raised his short arms and looked from one to the other saying, ‘Boys boys please both of you quieten down. I did not come here to cause any trouble only to have a brief and gentle word with the Captain before the second act begins.’ He spoke in a hushed and refined tone and yet although he had no powerful figure or strident tone Andrew and Edward immediately stopped their bickering and looked silently down at the small figure and then at each other with bewildered expressions on their faces. ‘Would you like to come into my dressing room and then we can talk in private.’ Andrew pushed the door open and pointed inside. He went to his employer saying quietly in the ear, ‘Leave this with me and go and have a rest before the second half.’ Their conversation ended amicably and Andrew went inside his room now curiously wondering what the stranger wanted to speak to him about.

Andrew closed the door and found the man already seated on a stool fiddling about with the collar of his blue jacket and looking uncomfortable dressed in his expensive suit and tie. His bloodshot eyes were revolving, examining the Captain from top to bottom with suspicion and uncertainty. Andrew immediately the door closed intended making his standpoint to the new arrival plain. ‘I must tell you now Mister whatever your name is, I do NOT give autographs half way through a performance nor would I give autographs in my dressing room. Firstly giving autographs half way through a show is regarded as bad luck by the performers and giving autographs in my dressing room would bring every Tom, Dick and Harry to my door like this. If that is why you are here then I’m afraid you are going to be very disappointed.’ As Andrew continued to bluster the visitor shook his head and a leer became visible on his cracked and gaunt face. He waited patiently for the Captain’s outcry to end and in his hushed yet authoritative voice retorted, ‘Captain let me make it clear to you straight away. I have NOT come here to ask for your autograph. I have an offer to make you. I will say however before I talk business, my son Jose is here tonight watching with me and he thinks you are fantastic and wonderful to watch.’ After such a compliment and so thoughtfully put Andrew hurriedly furthered, ‘That is not to say I won’t see your son after the show and give him my autograph, that would be an absolute pleasure.’ Already during this on-going encounter two features were conspicuous to Andrew about the unwelcome visitor. Firstly his apprehension and twitchiness displayed predominantly by his persistent flittering eyes, scrutinizing everything around him carefully and frequently glancing over his shoulders seemingly anticipating a dark and dangerous enemy suddenly appearing from the murk and chill outside. He even appeared uncomfortable sporting his fine blue suit, squirming about on his stool and time and again fidgeting with his collar and tie, shaking his head with a cross expression on his face. Andrew’s second observation was the little man’s polished, sophisticated and though hushed still inspiring and authoritative accent. He glanced at the wall clock and not wanting to appear rude or pushy said slowly, ‘I only have about fifteen minutes before returning to the ring to perform my acts of escapology so I would be very grateful if you would come to your point quickly.’ The man’s eyes not for the first time inspected Andrew from head to toe and after glancing over his left shoulder and taking a handkerchief from a jacket pocket and mopping his brow he took a deep breath and began in a roundabout manner. ‘I do not live in London but in a little village called Villa Ahumada in North Mexico. My son does not actually live with me but here in London with my cousin. I brought Jose here tonight to celebrate his fifth birthday and he really is enjoying his evening. Sometime I must introduce you, perhaps tonight after the show is over. My visit has been short and tomorrow evening I will be flying back home in one of my own private jets based just outside the city,’ He stopped briefly and glanced once more over both his shoulders before again shuffling about awkwardly on his stool trying his best to make himself comfortable. Then to Andrew’s surprise and relief once he had scratched both his whiskery cheeks and taken three extremely deep breaths, exhaling very audibly he continued his proposition in a more calm and rational manner. He cleared his throat with a very refined cough before saying, ‘Captain my name is Carlos Meza Lopez and I am Chairman and boss of Juarez which although has its headquarters in my small village in Northern Mexico actually operates through private routes all around the world. My cartel is the most powerful cartel in Mexico and although we have lost a lot of men fighting to defend our districts and neighbourhoods we have won over more districts than we have lost and the cartel is growing in numbers and riches all the time.’ Now looking more anxiously at the wall clock Andrew put a finger over his lips indicating silence and countered Carlos’s outline of Juarez without any understanding or toleration in his temper, ‘Look here Mr Lopez, what has this got to do with me? My career is in the circus as I am sure you can see. I haven’t got very long now if you can get straight to the point or else I must tell you to leave, IMMEDIATELY!’ He pointed to the clock and gazed angrily at Carlos. Seemingly untouched by Andrew’s rage Carlos said calmly and quietly, ‘I am offering you the chance to become a member of Juarez operating as a go-between and drug trafficker. The money is excellent and I offer my more favoured clients holidays at my large mansion, gifts for their work and reliability and special privileges inside the cartel.’ Such an offer took Andrew completely off guard and made him temporarily speechless. He replied hesitantly, uncertainly as his thoughts were divided considering the moral and immoral sides of Carlos’s proposal. Originally he tightened his eyebrows and frowned stuttering, ‘Mr Lopez . . . your… suggestion of so much money… is… is appealing yet…’ His voice tailed off as he pictured the expression of outrage on the face of his fiancee Jennifer. She had told him on many occasions how much she condemned the world of drug dealers and addicts and how such an acceptance if found out would divide them forever. He was about to end their conversation with a word of thanks and a friendly handshake before showing Mr Lopez the door yet found himself hesitating and remaining resolutely seated. Coming from a poor family and never having very much money to spend buying good clothes and food and having even one holiday away from home the sound of big money was extremely tempting, too tempting in the end for Andrew to reject. He nodded his head in acceptance of the offer and already he could feel his heart pounding rapidly in anticipation of a new and seemingly unreal adventure opening in his life. ‘Yes… I will… accept your offer…’ he stammered almost breathless. For the first time since Andrew had spoken with him Carlos’s severe expression became an outburst of demonstrative friendship, ‘I must remind you of what I said earlier, the work is dangerous and many men have been shot down by gunfire or blown apart by explosives, killed in cold blood, however I will tell you more about the work you will be involved in tomorrow evening when we meet.’ By now Andrew was too excited to pay heed to Carlos’s careful and detailed warning. ‘Where do we meet and when?’

‘Pack some clothes tomorrow and come and meet me at The Mayfair Hotel early in the evening. My chauffer will drive us to my private jet and we will fly directly to the grounds of my mansion. I want you to stay over the Christmas period and find out more about the area where I live, my family and the cartel it runs before returning home with your first package of drug leaves. Do you understand?’ Andrew shrugged his shoulders, ‘That seemed clear enough I think. I will be at The Mayfair Hotel with my suitcase about seven o’clock tomorrow evening.’Before Andrew had any chance to change his mind Carlos had quickly got to his feet, glancing still anxiously over both shoulders and eyeing Andrew with suspicion and distrust. Andrew gazed briefly at the clock and hearing the door of his room being pushed slowly open swung round with displeasure to see Edward Smyth dressed stylishly in his ringmaster’s outfit of a deep purple robe, red boots and a tall pointed blue hat tentatively entering. Edward looked anxiously at the unfamiliar visitor and whispered to him in a nervous voice, ‘If you wouldn’t mind leaving now please, it’s only five minutes before the second half begins.’ Carlos passed an apologetic look and standing in between them commented to both, ‘I must get back to Jose, he will be wondering where on earth I am.’ He held out a hand for Andrew to shake and as they shook wished him good luck for the second half before following Mr Smyth out of the room and returning to his front row seat. In a second bitter confrontation that evening between Andrew and Edward Edward returned to the dressing room rasping, ‘I will discuss this unsanctioned meeting with you after the show has ended! I did not give you any permission to hold private and confidential talks like this.’ With equal animosity Andrew replied, ‘And I will discuss the matters of your most inadequate security arrangements and interrupting a private meeting in my room without knocking first and waiting for my permission to enter! That is ill-mannered and discourteous.’ Edward was unused to such hostility regarding his management and authorization arising from inside the circus troupe and he had to bite his tongue to prevent himself saying any more. Their glowered eyeball to eyeball neither willing to concede and apologize and such a hostile atmosphere was only brought to an end by the sound of the drum roll from inside the arena accompanied with the ear-splitting cheers and applause from the audience eagerly awaiting the ringmaster’s return and the second half to begin. Edward slammed the door shut with a face of fury yet extraordinarily such a fearsome expression altered in an instant as he made his return into the ring to launch the show’s second half.

Andrew in the short time he had reflected on his brief meeting with Carlos and the agreement they had reached. Explaining to Edward his employer and Jennifer his fiancee who he had been speaking with and what he had just agreed to would spark fury with them both. Telling Jennifer he would not be with her and the circus company over Christmas but in Mexico living inside the mansion belonging to the leader of a drug cartel would he knew cause her tears of anger and devastation. Already he knew his conference with Edward Smyth after the show had ended was going to be not too far away from warfare. He could feel beads of moisture dripping from his short blonde hair, running down his forehead and cheeks and began fidgeting with his large collection of bottles and containers of body lotions, ointments and treatments for nearly every kind of skin disorder to try and find something to stop this sudden and increasingly profuse sweating. However as he continued searching around desperately on the dresser he could see from his room the bright multi-coloured lights in the arena go down and hear the drum roll, booming and melodious gradually fading away. The unmistakable boisterous and furthermore endearing voice of Edward Smyth, alias Count Beauchamp, as the applause and cheering dropped began introducing Captain Romano’s second performance. With exhilaration and merriment in his words and movements the Count began;

"LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND CHILDREN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO WELCOME BACK INTO THE RING PLEASE FOR HIS SECOND YET NOT HIS LEAST REMARKABLE DISPLAY TONIGHT IN HIS ROLE AS ESCAPOLGIST TO PARADE TO US HIS AMAZING ACTS OF BRAVADO AND AUDACITY THE INCREDIBLE . . . ASTONISHING NOT TO SAY DARING AND COURAGEOUS SUPERMAN HIMSELF THE ONE AND ONLY . . . CAPTAIN ROMANO!!"

He swung round pointing in dramatic fashion to the tunnel from where the Captain was about to come into view, taking off his hat momentarily and smiling broadly as around the tent the noise became immense and the anticipation and excitement wild and frenzied. As the supreme and wonderful Captain Romano was being given such an unbelievable build up, unbelievable even to Andrew himself, Andrew was still fiddling about on the dressing table trying to find something to calm himself down after his unpleasant face-off with Edward Smyth. Quickly however he put all the bottles and jars down and, after taking three extremely deep breaths opened the door of his dressing room and his facial expression altered from one of anger and exhaustion to that of man full of vigour, thrill and triumphant jubilation. His pounding heart rate slowed to the more usual pace and his beads of sweat stopped dripping from his forehead. As his original rousing welcome became a crescendo he left his room and through the tunnel skipped and somersaulted into the arena and his daunting, challenging act began.

It was not until after half past ten when the show finally ended and the packed audience began leaving the Big Top stampeding like animals out into the bitter cold night and bravely facing up to the winter weather. Snowflakes swirled around blown by a strong perishing wind, blowing hard against the faces of those people who had decided with some scepticism to venture outside on a ghastly night like this one. Some members of the audience wanted to discuss the show but were shaking too much to be able even to open their mouths. Everybody leaving from the tent hurried across the boards and out the park hastily tramping away with their heads bowed against the raw stinging wind penetrating their faces and bodies like a knife through butter. In only a few minutes the company members had all gone their different ways. Edward Smyth was already back in his small mock office making phone calls and preparing himself for his confrontation with Andrew later. ‘He’s a hard task master.’ commented Becky Sharp one of the stilt walkers as she was passing Andrew’s dressing room. Andrew put the light out and closed the door, locking it tightly, replying, ‘You’re right there Becky. He doesn’t pay us well either.’ Becky though only sixteen was still a very critical person. She looked at his powerful figure and tutted, ‘Oh honestly Andrew you’re always moaning about money. You have your fame and fans all over the country and even around the world. Isn’t that enough for heaven’s sake? Please give it a rest!’ Andrew had no time to listen to one of his lesser liked members of the travelling circus and glared at her. ‘Can you stop whining and at least tell me where I can find Jennifer?’

‘I believe she is in the beer tent talking with two of the clowns and waiting for your arrival with two glasses of champagne. When I say two of the clowns I mean John and Richard still dressed in their silly costumes. They are I would say a little bit tipsy. She was in the beer tent the last time I saw her only about ten minutes ago.’

‘Thanks.’ Andrew courteously as was his true nature politely wished her a very goodnight and marched away before Becky had any more time to criticise him. Hearing his fiancee was talking with two members of the company who were not totally sober made him even more concerned than usual to go and find her quickly.

Andrew followed the line of wooden boards, laid down after the downpours of rain and snow following it past a series of empty animal cages, horse boxes and removal lorries shivering almost uncontrollably as the wind continued to strengthen and the snow continued to intensify. As he made his way across the park to his irritation he thought he could from nowhere hear a gentle sobbing, he believed it was coming from near the beer tent. He stood still shaking and listened carefully a while longer before following the recognizable sound to a lamp post flickering and giving out a dull subdued light. Silhouetted in the light he found Vanessa a more senior acrobat in the troupe, weeping head in hands and her shirt and jeans completely soaked through. ‘Vanessa? Vanessa what on earth is the matter now? You are soaked to the skin and if you don’t come inside immediately, dry yourself and change those clothes you will catch your death of pneumonia.’ Vanessa was a woman whose temperament was known to be extremely volatile and this was not the first time, nor probably the last she had broken down in floods of tears for some minor incident which had occurred, even incidents in which she had not been involved. At first Vanessa ignored his request which made him curse quietly to himself before his toleration ended and putting an arm around her frail shoulders he pulled her gently inside the tent’s protection. Seeing Jeffrey serving drinks and presently standing alone with his hands behind his back Andrew signalled for him to come over. He sat Vanessa’s small figure down at a nearby table as she continued to sob. Icy rain and melting snowflakes trickled through her long ginger hair and down her red stinging face and back. Already Andrew noticed with sadness blood was now running from her chapped hands and fingers and he looked at her with a disappointed and disbelieving face. Still shivering intensely himself from the bitter outside forces Andrew sighed and asked in a tired, heavy voice, ‘Very well Vanessa, tell me what has upset you this time.’ He rubbed a little moisture from her eyes and lips with a dry tissue on the table and waited as patiently as he could for her answer. ‘It was Mr Smyth,’ she gulped, ‘he said he would let me do one of my newly rehearsed solo acts tonight which I had been preparing alone for with many weeks of extremely hard work, harder than I usually do.’ She sniffed notably and looked upwards at Andrew with her moist blurry eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’ she whispered in a shallow sad voice. Having blown her little now bloody nose she slowly continued her sob story as Andrew now regarded it. ‘Then not long before the show was to start he said he did not trust me to perform the act without some blunder which would wreck the complete evening. He laughed and humiliated me and it just wasn’t a right and proper thing for our manager to do to me don’t you think? You probably think I am just a fool behaving like this don’t you?’

‘No,’ Andrew lied, ‘not at all. Your just understandably a little hurt. Don’t worry Mr Smyth will trust you one day to demonstrate your new act and you will become a star.’ He sighed whispering to Jeffrey out of Vanessa’s earshot, ‘For heaven’s sake take Vanessa back to her caravan and help her change her clothes and dry herself. At the moment with blood running from her tender fingers and the soreness all over her she is in no fit state to look after herself. Her body must feel like a piece of ice. If she stays here moaning and weeping she will drive me mad.’ As Jeffrey with his strong arms was lifting Vanessa from the seat Andrew uttered one final word of encouragement to her, ‘Listen I am seeing Mr Smyth later and I will speak with him on your behalf. I will mention your new act and tell him how much he hurt your feelings criticising you the way he did. I will see what I can do to encourage him to trust you with your new act and let you perform it at the final show here.’ Vanessa gave him an icy grin and blew him a kiss before she was taken out of the tent and away to the caravans at the far side of the park. What do you do with her? he asked himself, a question he was unable to answer and resignedly got up from his chair to go and find Jennifer.

Jennifer was located now sitting alone and restlessly peering around impatiently waiting for her fiance’s arrival. On the table still were the two glasses of champagne Becky had spoken about and Andrew hurried over to take one. Although he was elated to see Jennifer again he knew there was a difficult and uncomfortable task he had to perform. Before sitting down opposite Jennifer he went to her and they kissed, hugging each other closely with feeling and emotion in their actions. As Andrew sat down Jennifer slid a glass over to him with a rye expression covering her face. ‘What upset poor little Vanessa this time?’ she asked and gave one of her soft yet telling laughs. ‘Oh apparently Mr Smyth prevented her from performing her new act tonight and condemned her at the same time. I told her I would speak with our boss this evening and see if I could get him to trust her and not make any errors like he had suggested. That was all.’

‘Were you telling her the truth? Will you speak with Mr Smyth this evening?’

‘Oh I will be speaking with Mr Smyth but we have—’ Andrew hesitated and gave a nervy cough before continuing, ‘we have more important things to discuss.’ Jennifer’s sparkling green eyes widened increasingly and she asked in a voice of curiosity, ‘Really? What important things do you have to discuss? I only thought when you spoke with Edward after each show it was to discuss basic facts such as the performance, the attendance and the profit that the company will have made. What important things are you intending to talk about?’ Andrew picked up his glass and quickly changed the subject,

‘Before discussing anything else could we toast my twenty-first birthday, if you don’t mind?’ Gladly Jennifer raised her glass drinking to Andrew and toasting his future. As they drank Andrew marvelled at Jennifer’s slim dainty figure, purring with satisfaction and joy as he thought about their future plans. ‘You are such an attractive young woman.’ he commented licking his lips and chuckling. Modest as always Jennifer replied simply, ‘Thank you.’

‘More especially in that pink dress you are wearing I think you look especially elegant. You must wear it more often.’ Once more Jennifer gave a short, simple reply.

‘Yes, if you wish.’

‘When did the two clowns leave you alone?’ Andrew asked suddenly getting a little suspicious of her previous movements. Jennifer this time gave a loud and hostile laugh, ‘Hah! Those idiots. They had to be taken away by two security guards. They were completely drunk and unaware of where they were. If you think they were bothering me then there’s no need.’ Andrew breathed himself a sigh of relief and had another longer drink of champagne to try and quench his sore parched throat. As the champagne started to have an effect on his character and judgements Andrew licked round his lips several times and slowly began to give Jennifer his piece of news which until now he had been too afraid to tell. ‘Jennifer I have something to tell you. For a period of Christmas I will be away from you, probably I will be back on New Year’s Eve.’

‘Away… away where?’

‘I am flying to Mexico tomorrow night.’ Andrew could already see the look of mortification appearing on her face, the lips of her small mouth tightened and her small nose narrowed as she stared at him in disbelief. ‘But we always spend Christmas together with the circus troupe. Tell me, why the sudden change?’

‘There is someone I want to meet. It is a matter I can’t tell you much about yet…’ As he tried explaining his position rationally he observed the tears swelling in Jennifer’s eyes and the sound of her weeping only angered him. ‘Please Jennifer, why must you always begin crying when I tell you something that you are not happy about? Can’t we just discuss this calmly?’ As her head dropped and the tears began to pour he jumped up from his chair in frustration and left her alone going instead to find Mr Smyth and hopefully discuss this matter in a more rational and dignified manner.

Edward Smyth was a very tall and heavily built man with a muscular figure and large prominent face. His imposing outline and arrogant character made nearly everyone in the circus troupe revere and virtually worship him. All stipulations presented before his employees were obeyed without any word of protest being uttered. Edward in return, as a domineering and self-possessed man regarded himself generally as the company’s their fatherly figure to assist and counsel if his services were required. He was sitting at his desk and looking carefully at his diary when he heard the recognizable knocking on his door. He closed the book and sat back in his chair preparing himself for Andrew’s appearance. ‘Come in Andrew.’ he called out in his most deep and forceful voice to make his bad humour immediately clear. Andrew appeared through the door tentative in his approach. He looked anxiously at Edward and began, ‘I have something to tell you.’ Edward pointed to the chair opposite and motioned him to sit down. ‘And I have something to tell you as I mentioned during the interval when you allowed the unwelcome visitor into your room without my say so.’

‘Mr Smyth, the man’s name is Carlos and he asked me if I would like to fly to Mexico tomorrow night with him on one of his private jets.’

‘I hope you said a definite NO’ For once he peered at Andrew with a churlish face.

‘No Mr Smyth I actually said I would like to go back with him and talk.’

‘Talk about what? Andrew are you a complete fool? Is this anything to do with money? Blast that… that horrible… nasty… interfering little man.’ Edward’s eyes had already lit up with his fury and disbelief. Andrew lowered his head away from Edward’s hostile, icy glare. ‘Tomorrow I must leave the troupe and return with Jennifer to my flat in Dagenham where I can pack my unworn clothes for my stay in the warmer climate.’Edward breathed in heavily in preparation for another of his typical outbursts. ‘YOU BLOODY FOOL ANDREW! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT MAN IS A CON MAN, A TRICKSTER. THIS IS ABOUT MONEY ISN’T IT? IS THAT MAN FROM SOUTH AMERICA? MEXICO WOULD BE MY GUESS. WHAT IS THIS TO DO WITH? IS IT ANYTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS… YOU… FOOL! ARE YOU SO DAMNED NAÏVE? LEAVE IT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. IF YOU GET TAKEN IN BY THAT MAN AND HIS DECEITFULNESS YOUR BRILLIANT CAREER WILL BE AT AN END.’ Andrew stood up and gulped before replying in a featherlike whisper, ‘I will not be leaving your company I promise. I will not be able to travel everywhere with them but I will be able to join you in my car when you want me to come and perform and of course when I am not in Mexico with Carlos.’ Edward knew dismissing Andrew without any hesitation would not be easy. Andrew was the company member who attracted the majority of the large audiences and dismissing Captain Romano would mean a big drop in the profits of his travelling circus and possibly even complete ruin. He ran a hand through his long black hair and sighed. ‘Very well Andrew if you are going to be so naïve and let me down, not forgetting your beautiful fiancee Jennifer. If this destroys you then don’t say I haven’t warned you. I have respected you ever since I saw you perform in front of my eyes in Chelmsford. I have regarded you not just as one of my employees but as a son. If I was your father I would, at least until now have been proud of you. You have let me down Andrew. I would even go as far as to say you have betrayed my trust.’ He frowned and pursed his lips, fixing his eyes firmly on Andrew’s nervous twitching eyes. He stood up opposite Andrew, towering above him and making even Andrew and his strong physical figure feel intimidated. Stretching out an arm and pointing to his office door he gasped in a suddenly tired, slow voice, ‘Get out of my office and call me when you return home from Mexico. Damn it Andrew, you have taken my advice before, why not this time?’ Andrew ignored the question and left the office with his head drooped feeling almost as a naughty schoolboy leaving the headmaster’s office.

Andrew returned outside into the heavy snowfall kicking wildly into the muddy grass. He had not intended being antagonistic towards Edward and had hoped Edward would feel the same way towards him. Unfortunately and to Andrew’s disappointment this had not worked out how he wanted though he knew it was not going to be an easy meeting. The strong biting wind blew hard against his face making it sting yet at the moment he felt immune from such pain and harsh conditions. He did not regarded himself as a person who misjudged other people’s persona but for the first time he believed his original belief of Edward Smyth being an understanding, pleasant and kindly man had been totally misplaced. As he trudged his way through the snow back towards the beer tent, hoping that Jennifer’s tears by now would have dried up he could once more hear sounds from somewhere in front of him, a female voice crying his name. He peered with his head stretched out trying to identify the figure yet as the crying continued he decided to for once ignore the sounds of distress and continue on his way angry, disappointed and now preparing to meet Jennifer and face any possible backlash from her.

Even before re-entering the beer tent he found himself calling to her in an irate and loud voice, ‘Jennifer, Jennifer? Come on with me, we’re going back to the flat.’ As he walked inside, looking down to the far end he did not find Jennifer sitting in isolation as he had expected but instead she was being carefully and physically looked after two members of the company who had heard her crying when nipping inside for a drink. One young man, Robert a handsome