smiled and shook his head.
‘I mean you no harm, miss,’ he said, his gentle voice belying his looks. ‘I work for Big Al and he’s sent me to escort you back to your trailer. Can’t be too careful round here.’
‘Oh, well, that’s kind of him,’ she murmured, reassured by his presence.
To her surprise, Mara was waiting when she entered the van. The stove was lit, emanating a welcoming warmth, and Colenso felt her spirits lift.
‘Titan see you back, did he?’ she asked.
‘Is that his name?’ Colenso replied, sinking onto one of Mara’s brightly embroidered cushions.
‘Heard you’d had an unwelcome visitor at the Panam,’ the woman continued, shooting Colenso a penetrating look.
‘Gracious, this place is worse than Cadgwith,’ she exclaimed. ‘But yes, there was this strange man.’
‘Top hat, slicked-back hair, smartly dressed.’ Colenso stared at her in surprise. ‘I spread the word for people to keep an eye out. You didn’t recognize him then?’
‘No, although the way he was looking at my, er, chest was strangely familiar. Except he seemed puzzled, disappointed almost.’ To her surprise, Mara hooted with laughter.
‘I’m sure he was. Comes looking for a female with nice womanly assets only to find a boy flat as the proverbial pancake. So what does that tell you, girl?’
‘That he’s a friend of the Ferret?’ she asked, the penny dropping.
‘More likely someone employed by him to find you. Don’t worry,’ she added as Colenso’s eyes widened in horror. ‘Old Titan’s a champion at Cornish wrasslin’ and he saw to him good and proper. Don’t think old nosey-nocks will be snooping round here again.’ As the kettle began to whistle and Mara went to make the tea, Colenso felt relief wash over her.
‘Mind you, that Ferret, as you call him, must be awfully keen on you to go to all this bother, so best be vigilant.’
With Titan assigned to escort her to and from the Panam, Colenso’s days fell into a comfortable pattern. In the mornings she helped Mara prepare their simple breakfast and then, whilst the woman went out to wash the dishes, she tidied the little van.
‘It’s a good job there’s always a stream next to the camp, isn’t it?’ she said when Mara returned carrying a kettle full of water.
‘Oh yes, the villagers always lay one on for us,’ Mara replied, her face deadpan. ‘Now young lady, although it’s three days since old nasty-nocks paid a visit, I don’t want you taking any chances,’ she told her, gesturing to the cap on the seat beside her. ‘So no going out without that.’
‘But surely it’s safe to wear my own clothes now?’ Colenso protested, reaching under the shirt to ease the band around her chest.
‘Big Al reckons if we’ve not seen hide nor hair of the man by the time we reach Bodmin, then you can resume being a girl.’
‘But these clothes are so scratchy,’ Colenso sighed, running her fingers under the collar of the coarse shirt, ‘and my chest feels tight.’
‘Well, if you can still feel then you know you’re alive,’ Mara pointed out briskly. ‘Now, I’ve people to see, readings to do and you’ve plenty more cones to make. Jago’s pleased with you, says you’re a natural with the children, but then I guess it’s not long since you were one yourself.’
‘It’s like another lifetime away,’ Colenso sighed.
‘So why not live in the present and enjoy life on the road?’ Mara suggested. Then, giving one of her customary winks, she snatched up the tools of her trade and left. As Colenso picked up the first sheets of paper, she thought about what Mara had said. There was no denying she enjoyed helping the customers make their selection, and Jago was easy to work for. He was also vigilant in keeping a look-out for anyone suspicious prowling around. And hadn’t he promised to take her to meet his sister, Karla? The thought of seeing how the rock and sweets were produced made her fizzle with excitement.
As she cut, folded and pasted, it wasn’t long before her thoughts turned to home and Kitto. He must have received her necklace by now. Of course, there was no telling what her mamm would have told him, but she felt in her heart he would be wishing her well. Why, even at this very moment he could be searching for her. Though how would he know where to look? Then she remembered Mara saying something about her sending a card home when they’d moved away from The Lizard. She’d send him one from Bodmin, for if it was deemed safe for her to wear her own clothes then it would surely be safe to send a communication.
The strident notes of the organ starting up brought her swiftly back to the present and she scooped all the cones she’d made into the wicker foraging basket Mara had loaned her. Everyone was being so kind, she thought as the three knocks heralding Titan’s arrival sounded on the window. Dragging on the dreaded cap, she opened the door, blinking in the glare of the afternoon sun.
‘Lovely out here, it is,’ Titan beamed as he took her basket and she stepped outside with him. ‘The missus is picnicking by the water with the little ‘uns.’ The thought of the giant having little anything made Colenso smile. ‘Good to see you looking happier. Thought when you’d finished at the Panam you might like to take a look round the fair. Don’t suppose you’ve seen much, having been cooped up like a chicken. Some of the fair will be moving on soon.’
‘I thought Mara said we’d be here a week,’ Colenso frowned, glancing over to the little round tent beside the graveyard.
‘You will. Mara’s is one of the most popular draws. People visit her year after year. Say her predictions always come true. Most of the villagers have been parted from their hard-earned dough though, so the big rides don’t hang around.’ He gave a devilish grin.
‘So why do the others stay?’
‘The locals have cricket matches and various other competitions arranged between local villages. The remaining stalls including the Panam will all move over to where Mara is.’
‘I’d love to look around later, as long as you think it’d be safe,’ Colenso murmured, automatically looking over her shoulder. When she could see no one following, she turned back to Titan. ‘Don’t you get tired of all the packing up and moving on?’ He gave a loud belly laugh that boomed above the sound of the organ and the noise already emanating from sideshows they were passing.
‘The missus and I get a rest when we haul up at Penzance at the end of the season. Take any available work to put food on the table.’
‘Do you stay in your van over the winter then?’
‘Yep, neither of us could imagine living in brick. Well, here you are, delivered safe and sound,’ he grinned, handing back her basket. ‘Afternoon, Jago,’ he called. The vendor waved, then turned back to the buxom woman he was serving. Sporting her Sunday best, she was clearly doing her utmost to charm him.
‘’Ow much can I get for a farthing?’ a tiny voice asked. Colenso looked down to see a grimy urchin, sporting tattered rags and staring at her hopefully.
‘Is
