The Incredible Talking Machine by Jenni Spangler

Author:Jenni Spangler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2021-06-24T00:00:00+00:00

Costume Call

Tig had been waiting for ever for Faber to finish checking his temperature and swallowing his various health-promoting tonics. He was the same greyish shade as when he first arrived, so they clearly weren’t doing him much good. A bit of fresh air and sunshine would do more for his health, but he wouldn’t hear of going for a walk. Something about factory fumes and robbers.

The Royale was noisy today. Snell had insisted the boys make some new scenery flats ready for future shows and there was a great deal of hammering and sawing. Of course, if he had his way, there wouldn’t be any future shows. The truth was, Snell was in a bad mood and enjoyed ordering the children around.

It was a warm day, but Tig rolled down the sleeves on her coat to cover the tender bruises on her forearms from last night’s narrow escape. She wasn’t in the mood to explain that.

In fact, she was determined to put it out of her mind entirely. So far nothing good had come out of Euphonia’s predictions. Every time the machine spoke, Tig was distracted from her true goal of saving the Royale. Besides, if she failed to fill the seats, Snell would send Faber away within the week. Then she’d never find out the truth about Euphonia. Her investigations would have to wait. It was the sort of sensible decision Nelson would make, so Tig knew it was the right one.

‘Confounded noise,’ muttered Faber. He was flicking through the pages of his notebook and mumbling to himself. ‘…the bellows were still, that’s the real mystery…’

Tig had brought him up some bread and dripping, which, to her surprise, he ate without questioning her on the cleanliness of the preparation. He must be in a good mood, so it seemed like the right time to suggest more improvements to the show.

‘We need to find you a proper costume.’

‘What’s wrong with my clothes?’

‘On stage, you want something that helps you stand out.’

‘I don’t have anything else. And I won’t go out to a tailor.’

‘There might be something in the costume room that fits.’ Tig tilted her head to one side. She couldn’t begin to guess what size he might be, being so tall and skinny. ‘A jacket, at least. Come on.’

Faber left the room very reluctantly. ‘I don’t want anyone in my room while I’m gone.’

‘We won’t be long,’ said Tig.

She led him through the backstage corridors and held open the door to the costume store.

‘Someone has been sleeping in here,’ said Professor Faber.

‘Oh, yes,’ said Tig. She hurriedly gathered up her bedding and nightclothes and shoved them into a corner. ‘It’s me.’

‘I see.’ Faber wrinkled his brow and Tig felt a flush of embarrassment at her pathetic lodgings.

‘Let’s try one of these.’ She took down a jaunty red jacket with a fur-trimmed collar.

‘No,’ said Faber.

‘This one?’ She held up a long green cloak, embroidered with stars, which had belonged to the sorcerer in the last show.

‘Certainly not.’

She ran her fingers along the rows of outfits.

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