The Lighthouse Secret by Carmel Harrington

Author:Carmel Harrington [Harrington, Carmel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: null
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

Beth

Wednesday, 23 May 1951

Ballycotton, Cork

Beth arrived at the entrance to the circus and surveyed the tents and trailers scattered like confetti in the green grass. She could not fathom that this eclectic group of artists and performers would all be gone in a couple of days’ time.

The air was still, and a faint breeze tickled the dewy grass at her feet. The trailers were darkened as the artists rested and the animals slept. This was Beth’s favourite time of the day, before the sun had risen. Yesterday was gone, and today was a fresh beginning, a chance to let the past go.

She walked towards the backyard, behind the big top, where the smaller tents sat. Christian would be waiting for her in the dressing room, where the costumes were kept. It had become their spot.

Everything about the lives of the circus entertainers was glamorous. She’d seen the show on three occasions, and the same adrenaline rushed through her body each time the performers stood side by side to take their final bow. She loved it all, from the limber contortionists to the feather-head-dressed women who did tricks on horses and elephants, from the high jinks of the clowns to the death-defying flying through the air of Christian and his trapeze team.

Beth felt wide awake, on high alert, though she ought to be tired. She’d tossed and turned all night, thinking about her future. She still moved back and forth between her love for Ted and infatuation for Christian. Time was ticking on, and Beth knew she had to make her mind up. What did she want? Or rather, who did she want?

‘Will you be joining us when we leave on Saturday?’ a voice called out as she passed a brightly coloured wagon.

It was Delphine, Christian’s sister, leaning against the wagon, holding a pack of cigarettes in her hand. She wore a purple robe, with her dark hair falling in waves down her back. She looked glamorous and exotic, making Beth feel like a gauche child in her pedal pushers and blouse. Delphine was regarding Beth with interest.

Had Christian mentioned to Delphine that he’d like Beth to join them? Beth’s heart raced at the thought.

‘I think it must be such incredible fun to travel the world with the circus,’ Beth replied, looking around her in wonder. ‘To wake up to this, in a new destination every couple of weeks . . .’

‘I love it. But it’s the only life I’ve ever known, so I am accustomed to it,’ Delphine replied. ‘The stress of circus life is not for everyone, though. Long days. Punishing routines on your body. And the pay is not great.’

Beth was a little taken aback by Delphine’s searing and forthright reply.

‘I warrant all jobs become tiresome after a while,’ Beth said.

‘That’s for sure.’ Delphine watched her momentarily, then she lit a cigarette, inhaled intensely and blew out a perfect ring. ‘Do you love Christian?’

‘Maybe.’ Beth was still working on that question.

Delphine raised her eyebrows in surprise. ‘I thought you had something about you.

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