glances that fifty people wasnât nearly enough, particularly as most of them were on half-price or free tickets. But again the audience had been really enthusiastic and at the end they had clapped and cheered, and some had even stamped their feet. Or forty-nine of them hadâ¦
When Olivia had finished her turn on the high-wire and was taking her bow, she thought that sheâd heard a distinct boo among the cheers. It was unsettling and had made her heart beatfaster. She had glanced round to see if anybody else had heard it, but they were all smiles; she anxiously scanned the faces of the small crowd but she couldnât see where the boo might have come from. Perhaps she had imagined it?
And perhaps she hadnât been all that good? She did feel tired, as the last few days had taken their toll. She always knew when she was at her best on the wire because her mind emptied of everything except an awareness of her own body. She knew that Eel felt the same when she was dancing really well.
Jack always said that to walk the wire properly you had to leave anything you didnât need behind on the ground. No, she hadnât been at her best; even as she dismounted she had seen Jackâs slightly raised eyebrow and she knew that she had been sloppy, somehow remaining earthbound even though she had been up in the air. Jack never expected anything less than one hundred per cent from anyone, but particularly from Olivia. Although she expected no less of herself, it sometimes felt as if Jack wanted even more.
She knew why her father was pushing her so hard. A lot of the show had been created tospecifically disguise the fact that most of the Swans were beginners when it came to circus skills, although their dance training meant that they were all exceptionally lithe and strong and so had a head-start. Olivia knew that the core of the show relied on her and her dadâs and Pabloâs genuine skill and talent and many years of hard training. Even Eelâs prowess at acrobatics was really window dressing, although the crowd loved it when she exploded across the ring, somersaulting and cart-wheeling like a demon. Alicia didnât like it so much, she was always worried that Eel would injure herself and not be able to continue her dance training. Olivia knew that Jack and Pablo had been concerned about the lack of core skills at the heart of the circus, because she had heard them discussing it.
âWhat we really need is a couple more children with really first-class skills,â Jack had said. âItâs such a pity that Tom is still in Peter Pan . He may not be experienced but heâs such a natural on the high-wire.â
âThe show is good, Jack,â replied Pablo. âAnd we can hide the holes. If we are very cunning, most people wonât even notice that our little ducklings havenât been doing circusall their lives. And Livy, she will not let us down. She is such a professional. She carries the show.â
Olivia had immediately texted Tom to tell him what Jack and Pablo had said about him.
Tom had replied straightaway. âAw, shucks. But you know what they say, pride comes before a fall, and itâs an awfully long way down from the high-wire.â
Olivia couldnât help feeling proud that she too was such an essential part of the Swan Circus, but it also felt like a bit of a burden. At least today it did when her mind was so full. She watched the audience drifting away or chatting with Alicia and Jack, who were trying to engage with as many people as possible after the afternoon show, like good hosts saying goodbye to party guests.
She wondered who it was in the audience who had booed. Only a professional who knew a great deal about circus performance would have noticed that she hadnât quite nailed the routine.
Aeysha and Georgia came up to see if she wanted to go into town between shows. They set off, handing out a few leaflets to families on the way.
âIt
When Olivia had finished her turn on the high-wire and was taking her bow, she thought that sheâd heard a distinct boo among the cheers. It was unsettling and had made her heart beatfaster. She had glanced round to see if anybody else had heard it, but they were all smiles; she anxiously scanned the faces of the small crowd but she couldnât see where the boo might have come from. Perhaps she had imagined it?
And perhaps she hadnât been all that good? She did feel tired, as the last few days had taken their toll. She always knew when she was at her best on the wire because her mind emptied of everything except an awareness of her own body. She knew that Eel felt the same when she was dancing really well.
Jack always said that to walk the wire properly you had to leave anything you didnât need behind on the ground. No, she hadnât been at her best; even as she dismounted she had seen Jackâs slightly raised eyebrow and she knew that she had been sloppy, somehow remaining earthbound even though she had been up in the air. Jack never expected anything less than one hundred per cent from anyone, but particularly from Olivia. Although she expected no less of herself, it sometimes felt as if Jack wanted even more.
She knew why her father was pushing her so hard. A lot of the show had been created tospecifically disguise the fact that most of the Swans were beginners when it came to circus skills, although their dance training meant that they were all exceptionally lithe and strong and so had a head-start. Olivia knew that the core of the show relied on her and her dadâs and Pabloâs genuine skill and talent and many years of hard training. Even Eelâs prowess at acrobatics was really window dressing, although the crowd loved it when she exploded across the ring, somersaulting and cart-wheeling like a demon. Alicia didnât like it so much, she was always worried that Eel would injure herself and not be able to continue her dance training. Olivia knew that Jack and Pablo had been concerned about the lack of core skills at the heart of the circus, because she had heard them discussing it.
âWhat we really need is a couple more children with really first-class skills,â Jack had said. âItâs such a pity that Tom is still in Peter Pan . He may not be experienced but heâs such a natural on the high-wire.â
âThe show is good, Jack,â replied Pablo. âAnd we can hide the holes. If we are very cunning, most people wonât even notice that our little ducklings havenât been doing circusall their lives. And Livy, she will not let us down. She is such a professional. She carries the show.â
Olivia had immediately texted Tom to tell him what Jack and Pablo had said about him.
Tom had replied straightaway. âAw, shucks. But you know what they say, pride comes before a fall, and itâs an awfully long way down from the high-wire.â
Olivia couldnât help feeling proud that she too was such an essential part of the Swan Circus, but it also felt like a bit of a burden. At least today it did when her mind was so full. She watched the audience drifting away or chatting with Alicia and Jack, who were trying to engage with as many people as possible after the afternoon show, like good hosts saying goodbye to party guests.
She wondered who it was in the audience who had booed. Only a professional who knew a great deal about circus performance would have noticed that she hadnât quite nailed the routine.
Aeysha and Georgia came up to see if she wanted to go into town between shows. They set off, handing out a few leaflets to families on the way.
âIt
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