CHAPTER 2
It was their Dad who first heard that the famous Shanghasi Circus was coming to Mandredela . From Gung Ho, of course, their next door neighbour, and always the first with all the latest news and gossip. Gung wasn’t his real name –well, who would think to give their son such a name? – but everyone called him Gung and not only was he their representative on the Town Council, he was also their father’s best friend. Not that being best friends stopped them arguing with each other at every chance they got. ‘It’s something they like to do,’ her mum explained. ‘A sort of competition. A hobby.’
‘Yes,’ said Gung Ho, showing his important, Town Hall, Councillor face. ‘The Shanghasi Circus is definitely coming here to Yeltsin. And pretty soon from what I’ve been told. Two weeks at most, I’d say.’
‘Here? Coming here! The Shanghasi Circus! Are you sure?’ Tiger Lilly’s dad, Lou Santino, was definitely surprised. ‘Why, it must be ten years at least since they last came to Mandredela and that was to Suchno, not here.’
‘Am I sure?’ Gung gave a roll of eyes. ‘Heavens, man! How long have you known me, to ask such a question!’ He allowed himself a long, drawn out sigh and a second swivel of eyes. ‘Course I’m sure and, what’s more, I think it’s something you should be telling your daughters - and pretty soon would be my advice. Sooner would be even better.’
‘Tell my daughters! And why is that?’ asked their dad in a pretend weary voice.
‘Because it’s a well known fact that the people who run the Shanghasi Circus
have a policy of finding work for as many of the local youngsters as they possibly can whenever they visit a place. Temporary jobs, of course, but I wouldn’t like to think that your daughters are missing out on a chance to earn some real, good money for themselves. Furthermore, it is a well known fact that the Shanghasi is particularly keen on hiring youngsters who are lively on their feet.’ He smiled a sideways smile. ‘And liveliness, I think I can safely say, is something your girls have never been short of. In abundance, actually,and especially, I might add, when people who happen to live near are trying to sleep!’
Lou Santino waved a finger under Gung’s nose. ‘There you go! Complaining as always. But, answer me this! Who is it I see at his window most evenings peeking from behind his curtains, enjoying their games and laughing himself silly? Someone who enjoys being a crusty, old crab, that’s who! Someone who would go even crazier than he already is if things were quiet all the time.
‘Anyway, and as I was saying before you chose to interrupt, I find it more than hard to believe the Shanghasi is coming to Yeltsin. All right, so I hear what you say, but I still find it difficult to believe that the people who run the Shanghasi Circus have even heard of this place, let alone think to pay us a visit. Doesn’t make a jot of sense! For a start, who in these parts has the kind of money to afford the Shanghasi? Not too many, you ask me – why, the entry fee alone must cost a small fortune and especially for a family. All right, so I can understand them chancing a visit to Suchno, the one place in Mandredela where there are a few people with money to spare, but not here. A puzzle is what it is. At least it is to me.’
‘Surely, Lou Santino, you are surely not thinking I mean the full Shanghasi Circus. Goodness, I thought everyone would realise that, for heavens sake. Even you! No, what will be coming here is one of its offshoots - a spin off if you like - a smaller version of the real thing. Lord above man, the main circus – the one in Paris - is not something you can move about at a moment’s notice! It’s not a sack of potatoes or a bundle of sticks to toss over your shoulder. The main Shanghasi is huge, near the size of a town with entertainment centres and roller coaters and buildings near twice as tall as our steeple. Takes months to erect a single part, it does. However, that doesn’t mean the one coming here won’t be splendid. Not a single bit it doesn’t! Of course it will be a whole lot smaller as I have just tried to explain, but it will still have a wonderful Big Top and dozens and dozens of stalls and sideshows and all kinds of rides for the children. Yes, all kinds of attractions, and from what I hear, there’s going to be what they call a Grand Bazaar with goods from every corner of the world. Marvellous is what it will be and what’s more, Lou Santino, I’ve had a peek at one of its programmes and, believe you me, there’ll be no shortage of talent – acrobats and magicians; clowns, jugglers, dancing troupes, high wire acts - oh, all manner of amazing acts. I tell you, Lou, it’s going to be a wonder.’
‘Yes, I know all about the Shanghasi, no need for your telling, but I still find it hard to believe they’ve even heard of us, let alone pay us a visit,’ Lou replied.
‘Oh come, my friend! You must have something of an idea. An inkling, even you’
‘No. Not one.’
‘Gracious, Lou, there are times I think you must live in a different world than the rest of us! A far away planet! Have you not noticed all the comings and goings and the hustle and bustle that has been going on at the Summer Palace this last while? Why, there’s been team upon team of workers hammering and banging at the place for heaven knows how long. A right old racket, and no denying. Day and night! What’s more, I hear that our beloved Prince Xavier is still not satisfied, wants his new stable block made even larger. Some say double the size.’
‘No, Gung Ho, can’t say as I have, but then I haven’t been anywhere near the Royal Palace for months. More to do with my time, unlike some people I could mention. Even so, how can building work at the Summer Palace have anything to do with the Shanghasi Circus coming to Yeltsin? Not even one of the travelling kind.’
‘Which,’ replied Gung Ho, ‘Only goes to prove that you have a most annoying habit of not listening to those who go to a lot of effort to keep you up to date with the latest news. Why, man, it must be a month since I told you Prince Xavier has decided to spend the whole of his summer here. Has probably moved in by now.’
‘Well then, there’s another surprise. When have you ever known the Prince to spend more than a day in that summer palace of his? All right, maybe two at the most, but I still don’t see the connection.’
Gung Ho leaned close: ‘It’s all because of our young Princess Serena, that’s why. From all I’ve been told, she has not been all that well these last few weeks – really quite poorly at times – and her doctors have decided it would do her a power of good to spend some time in the country. You know, take in our good Yeltsin air.’
‘Oh come, Gung Ho, you are surely not asking me to believe that the world - famous Shanghasi is coming here simply because Princess Serena has been a bit under the weather?’
‘Oh, believe it you must, my friend,’ Gung Ho replied. ‘If there is the faintest, remotest chance that our beloved Princess is in need of fresh air, then fresh air she will most certainly have. Furthermore, if the Prince happens to think it would be a good idea to have a circus here to greet her, make her feel at home, then only the finest circus in the world will do. Yes, my friend, that means the Shanghasi. Make no mistake, what our Prince wants, our Prince gets.’
Gung Ho narrowed his eyes and leaned even closer. ‘Mind, if you want the absolute truth,’ he whispered, ‘it is what Princess Serena wants that matters most of all. More than anything, take my word! Gives her every thing she asks for, does the Prince; has done since the day she was born. Well, least since she was old enough to give out orders. Everything! Gives her every single, solitary thing.’
There was a pause while Gung Ho stretched himself to his full height. ‘Actually, as I am sure you have long realised,’ he continued. ‘My duties as a senior member of Yeltsin Town Council oblige me to visit Suchno and the Grand Palace at least once a month, sometimes twice and, as you might well expect, I regularly find myself in the company of people who work close to the Prince. Oh, you know the sort of person I mean - Ministers of State, Heads of Department, Senior Officials and Secretaries. Important people. Influential.’ He took a quick look at Lou Santino. ‘No’ he decided. ‘Perhaps you don’t.
‘Anyway,’ he continued. ?
??The people I’m talking about are the ones who know everything that goes on at the Grand Palace and they all say the same thing. They say Prince Xavier isn’t simply under his daughter’s thumb, he’s squashed flatter than an elephant’s slipper.’
‘Poor girl. She can’t be happy,’ said Lou Santino.
‘Happy?’ repeated Gung Ho. ‘Well, I can’t say about that. All I know is she has everything a girl can possibly need. He paused, shook his head. ‘Except, of course, a mother.’
‘Yes, a mother,’ Lou Santino agreed, also shaking his head. ‘Mind, I can’t help thinking that if she had a father with sense enough to settle down with his daughter instead of dragging her around the world like a piece of old luggage - well things might then be a whole lot better. For both of them. For the country too, the money he spends at the gambling tables. Though why anyone with all his wealth should feel a need to gamble in the first place is quite beyond me. But then again, I suppose that is another matter entirely.’
‘True, true,’ agreed Gung Ho lowering his voice. ‘However - and keep this firmly under your hat - there’s a strong rumour buzzing round the Grand Palace that the Emperor is none too pleased with his son. More than usual from all accounts, hasn’t been so for quite some time. Not pleased at all. As a matter of fact he was recently heard to say how very worried he was about the future of Mandredela once he had gone. Yes, far from happy with Prince Xavier is our Lord Grand Emperor. Maybe, though, things are about to change. As I say, the Prince has said he intends to spend the whole of the summer here in Yeltsin and, fingers crossed, it must be a good sign.’
‘Yes, we can but hope,’ Lou agreed. ‘By the way, how old is the Princess?’
‘Nine. At least she soon will be. Her birthday is a week from today. Which – surprise, surprise - also happens to be the very day the Circus is set to open. Another of Prince Xavier’s bright ideas, need I say.’
Lou Santino gave his forehead a sharp tap. ‘Of course, of course! What a first class idiot I am! Me, of all people, asking that! That is Tiger Lilly’s birthday too! Born the same day they were, Tiger Lilly and the Princess, and what a day that was! Surely you remember, Gung Ho? Celebrations the like of which we had never seen - dancing in the street, bands playing; crowds marching up and down; drums banging, bells ringing. Yes, that was the day the Town Hall Bell gave its loudest clang ever and hasn’t been the same since! Oh what celebrations they were and all to welcome our new Princess Serena. Oh yes indeed, we welcomed her with all or hearts, but didn’t we also make a fine old job of pretending the celebrations were not only for the Princess, but were for our Tiger Lilly too! Pretended like you wouldn’t believe; pretended all that night and all the next day! Imagine it though! Both girls with birthdays on the same day! Practically the same hour!’
‘Remember! Of course I do,’ replied Gung Ho, smiling his widest smile. ‘How could I forget a day when I was given the honour of proposing the opening toast at the Town Hall banquet and asked to speak again that same evening in front of the Prince and his royal guests. Guests from all over the world there were, and a first class speech it was, though I say it myself. Yes, first class! Such a pity you couldn’t have been there.’
‘Such a pity,’ echoed Lou Santino, studying the ground.