fair before we can even think of taking a rest.’ Colenso peered around, wondering how she could have missed the frenzied activity that was now taking place. Rides were being manhandled into position by burly men with tattoos decorating their muscular arms, stalls already erected were having their contents artistically displayed, while the big wagons carrying their heavy equipment were being directed onto the field. Villagers stood avidly watching whilst their children, hopeful of earning a few pence or free rides, were clamouring to help.
‘I’ve never seen so many people in one place before,’ she cried.
‘Well, you were hidden in the van at Helston. Just you wait until tomorrow. Won’t be able to move for bodies,’ Mara replied, setting Ears free from the wooden shafts. Bending down, she then began pulling poles and bags out from the racks under the van.
‘Well, don’t just stand there with arms the same length – grab hold of these and help me carry them over there,’ Mara said, thrusting the poles at her while trying to point towards the church at the same time. ‘If we don’t get a move on, the best places will be taken. Jostling past others, all with the same intent, Mara headed towards a vacant spot near the graveyard. ‘Adds to the atmosphere,’ she winked.
Much later, when her little round tent had been erected and the folding table and chairs set out to her satisfaction on the hessian rug, Mara turned to Colenso.
‘How’s your feet?’ she asked.
‘Tired but these boots are much better, thank you.’
‘Good. Well, I don’t know about you but I’m ready for supper,’ she said, pointing to a fire that was blazing in one corner of the green before striding towards the kumpania she travelled with. As Colenso followed, she could smell woodsmoke mingling with the appetizing aroma of stew. She guessed it was coming from the huge iron pot that was swinging from the chitties spiked into the ground alongside the yag, which she now knew was what they called the campfire. She sat down on the ground beside Mara, who began introducing her to her companions.
‘This is Col who’s helping Jago whilst Karla is indisposed,’ she explained. At first, Colenso was wary but they welcomed her cordially, asking no personal questions, and she guessed Mara had already briefed them about her situation. By the time a plate of rabbit swimming in rich gravy was passed to her, she felt relaxed enough to enjoy her meal.
The sun was sinking behind the hills and she watched as the sky darkened to inky black and the first stars twinkled their nightly appearance. Excitement bubbled up inside her. Although she was exhausted and her legs ached, tomorrow she was to help Jago at the Panam and she couldn’t wait. Surely now she could shed these horrible, itchy garments and wear her own clothes again.
✳
‘Oh good, you’ve come bearing gifts,’ Jago greeted Colenso when she arrived at the Panam stall weighed down with the cones she’d spent the morning making. ‘I see you’re still in disguise,’ he added. ‘Shame, a pretty girl always draws the punters.’ Colenso sighed and stared down at her coarse attire.
‘Mara insisted. Ears woke Mara in the night with his whickering and she was convinced someone was prowling around outside.’ She didn’t add that the woman had wanted her to stay in the van and had only relented when she’d insisted she couldn’t let Jago down.
‘Well, Mara will know who to speak to about that. Now, let me show you my little emporium,’ he quipped, gesturing round the compact stall, its red and white bunting flapping merrily in the light breeze. Cones already filled with sweets were attractively displayed alongside containers of assorted coloured confections. Setting down her latest batch of cones, she walked round the Panam, trying to take in the vast array of goods.
‘There’s always a good choice at the beginning of the fair,’ Jago explained. ‘Though, of course, I’ll be pleased if there’s little left by the end. Now, let me explain the different varieties. Feel free to try any,’ he offered, raising his voice to be heard above the peal of church bells.
‘These are striped bullseyes flavoured with lemon, Nelson’s buttons, barley-sugar twists, fruit drops, humbugs, striped lollipops, assorted flavoured rock, which as you can see are shaped like walking canes, and of course no Panam would be complete without gingerbread,’ he said, his fingers running along the various confections. ‘Naturally, it varies over the year depending on what’s available – nuts and apples in autumn, spiced confections in the winter.’
‘These are just wonderful,’ Colenso exclaimed, bending to inhale the various heady scents. ‘This rock gleams like polished serpentine.’
‘You sound an authority on the subject,’ he said, looking at her in surprise.
‘I used to fashion it into trinkets for the tourists.’
‘Did you now? And loved your work, by the sound of it. I’m sure Karla would show you how all of this is made. We’ll be stopping off at Truro next month and I’ll need to pick up more supplies. Hopefully her hand will have healed by then.’
‘That would be wonderful,’ she cried.
‘Right, better get ready for the rush,’ he said, rubbing his hands together as the organ started up to herald the opening of the fair.
The noise was deafening as it competed with the ringing of the church bells but nobody seemed to mind as they swarmed onto the field, laughing and jostling to be first on the rides. Colenso was kept so busy filling the cones to customers’ requirements she didn’t notice someone watching her from the shadows.
‘What’s your name, boy?’ Colenso jumped as a tall man leant over the stall and studied her closely. He was more formally dressed than the other customers, his hair slicked back under his topper. As his eyes lowered to her chest, she felt a prickle of unease. His look reminded her of the Ferret except, instead of leering, the man was frowning.
‘Is something wrong?’ Jago asked. Although his voice was casual, Colenso could tell from his eyes that he hadn’t taken to the man either.
‘What’s the matter, can’t the boy speak for himself?’ the man asked, emphasizing the word boy.
‘I pay him to work, not stand here talking,’ Jago replied. ‘Get to it, boy, those cones won’t fill themselves and there’s customers waiting,’ he grunted, pretending to cuff Colenso’s head but pushing her cap down lower in the process. ‘Now, sir, if there’s nothing you want, perhaps I could ask you to move, the people behind are waiting to make their selections.’
With a grunt of irritation, the man turned away and Colenso watched as he was swallowed up by the crowds.
‘Didn’t like the look of him,’ Jago muttered. ‘Let me know if you see him hanging around again.’
Although Colenso tried not to let the incident mar her afternoon, there was no getting away from the fact the man had unsettled her. As the sun began to sink behind the hill and the lamps were lit, she found herself jumping at the slightest movement, which didn’t go unnoticed by Jago.
‘Look, we’ve nearly used up all the cones. Go back and make some more for tomorrow, eh?’ he suggested, patting her shoulder.
‘I will,’ she replied, nodding gratefully. ‘I can come again tomorrow?’ she asked.
‘Same place, same time,’ he grinned.
As
