Circus Solace by Chris Castle

strength is linked to the bones and not the flesh. You wouldn’t think to look at him right now, but he’s as strong as all of us put together, times ten.” He winked at Matt and they both looked back to see the last of the rocks stack up against the wall. Four strong boxes were now plain to see. Matt guessed by the size of them that they were the boxes that had once been in the attic.
    “She came to us when she was leaving and told us to guard them,” Lucas said in a hushed tone. “She was so sad to be leaving them behind. It just about broke my heart. So we thought about it and wanted to pick a place where the clown couldn’t get anywhere near. We thought a narrow path would be too tricky for his boots and a cave too dark for a brightly lit monster like him.”
    “No clown likes the dark,” Marcus whispered to Matt, who stood, transfixed by it all.
    “ Safe here ,” Max muttered and nodded. Matt saw he had edged to the side of the cave and it occurred to Matt why. Max was shy: from the moment he made his way over, to the way he stayed directly out of the flicker of the candlelight, he didn’t want to be seen. He wasn’t devious or sinister but self-conscious.
    “You did a g ood job here, my friend, the best,” Lucas said as he marched over to the first box. He looked round and Max tossed him a bunch of keys from his waist. Slowly, carefully, Lucas opened up each of the four boxes and then ushered Matt and Pa over to see what was inside. Matt and Pa peered into each of the boxes. The first one was stuffed full of costumes; each had a thin sheen of what looked like silk over them. Matt put his fingertip out to touch.
    “Silk,” Lucas said behind him. “Preserves the garments perfectly.” Matt nodded and was faintly aware that the three of them had all taken a step back, to give Matt and Pa time alone with the treasure troves.
    The second box was full of trinkets and tricks and muskets and scarves. This was the prop box, Matt realised. These were things that had to be handled by professionals he thought suddenly and forced his hand back to his side. The third box was full of paperwork, each page filed in plastic. Matt held one up and saw it was some sort of property deed. He went through them quickly and noticed there were two types of papers: those with red outlines which were official documents and those tinged blue which were scripts. Matt pulled one of these out and held it up to the weak light. It was an introduction to an act, with bracketed pauses to explain how to wait for applause. Matt read down the page and found himself grinning, almost laughing out loud at what was written down. He turned to show Pa and then stopped in his tracks.
    P a was holding one of the photos that came from box four. Matt made his way over and saw a framed shot of his ma, perfectly balanced on a tightrope. She was not much older than Matt in the photo and her smile was so bright and beaming it almost burst from the sheet. He looked up to Pa and in the next moment the two of them were hugging. Matt closed his eyes and felt the photo crackle against his back. It was almost as if his ma was part of the embrace.
    Eventually, the others joined them and Marcus explained the contents of each box. The deeds were necessary to keep the house out of the clown’s clutches and the rest were what made up the circus’ act for so many years. It was decided that they would carry the boxes back to the house now it was safe from looters and under watchful eyes. Each of the men took a crate and Matt held the pen light at the front to guide them back. Soon, they had navigated their way down the candle path back amongst the shrubs and into the clearing. The moon was a full beam and Matt lowered his light. He looked back and saw Pa talking to Marcus on his left and Lucas on his right. Max was a little way in-front, walking on his own. Matt slowed a little, until they were almost walking side by side.
    “I’ve got your book,” Matt said and