The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood Page B

wants.”
    â€œI wish he would.” Nora clasped her hands together.
    Erin sighed. “He says safety nets are for kids.”
    â€œBut he’s hardly more than a kid, ain’t he?” Lizzie looked up, relieved, as Dru reached the far platform.
    Collette shrugged. “He’s old enough to earn his own living.”
    Dru was shimmying down the tent pole. He leaped the last few feet and raced across the ring. “Impressed?” he asked, stopping beside Lizzie.
    Lizzie was about to answer when a figure caught her eye. Marching into the ring was a woman. At least, she was dressed like a woman. But a handsome beard covered her cheeks, and hair sprouted from her neck and arms as thickly as if she was wearing fur. She stopped beside a short fat clown, grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him hard.
    â€œThat’s Ursula!” Erin said, following Lizzie’s gaze. “The Bear Woman.”
    Lizzie stared. “Why’s she kissing clowns?”
    â€œThat’s her husband, Rice Pudding Pete,” Nora said.
    â€œRice Pudding Pete?” Lizzie echoed.
    Erin sat down beside Malachy. “He closes the act by falling into a vat of rice pudding.”
    Dru ducked in front of Lizzie, blocking her view. “My act? What did you think?”
    Lizzie blinked into Dru’s green eyes. “It was amazing! I could hardly breathe. How d’you keep your balance?”
    Dru ran his fingers through his hair. “Practice.”
    Collette frowned at Ursula. “She should be in her booth with the other freaks, not in here with the performers .”
    Lizzie felt a surge of annoyance. How dare she? Anita’s words rang in her mind. People used to throw things at me, kick me . . . like I was no more than a dog.
    Before she could stop herself, Lizzie burst out with, “Who are you calling a freak?” She looked Collette up and down. “Standing there in your underwear! They’re people, just like you an’ me!”
    Just then Lizzie saw Fitzy standing behind Collette. Oh, no! Was he going to be furious with her for shouting at one of the stars? She shut up quickly.
    But Fitzy was smiling. “Well said, Lizzie. We’re a family here at Fitzy’s circus.” He flashed a stern look at Collette. “We may bicker, but no one is more important than anyone else and we look after each other, right?”
    Collette looked at him from under her lashes. “Right,” she muttered sulkily.
    â€œGo and get on with your practice.” Fitzy shooed Collette away and fixed his gaze on Lizzie. “I’ve got a special job for you.”
    Lizzie straightened. Did someone need her to fix their stage or iron their costume? “I’m ready.”
    Fitzy smiled at her. “Good.” He glanced down at her dress — the same shabby gray frock she’d been wearing since she’d arrived. “Erin!” he called over his shoulder. “You’re about the same size as Lizzie. Can she borrow your Sunday dress?”
    â€œOf course.” Erin nodded. “Why? Is she going to church?”
    â€œNot quite.” Fitzy started to lead Lizzie out of the tent. “Madame Aurora needs an assistant.”
    * * *
    As visitors started streaming toward the circus, Lizzie stood beside the Sullivans’ caravan in Erin’s Sunday best with her chestnut brown hair stiffly braided. She felt as trussed up as a Christmas goose.
    â€œMercy, Lizzie,” Nora said with a giggle. She handed her Ma Sullivan’s ivory-back mirror. The black taffeta made Lizzie look white as a ghost.
    Lizzie scowled. “I look like I’m off to a funeral.”
    â€œYou might as well be,” Erin told her gravely.
    Nora grasped her hand. “Be good,” she warned. “Madame Aurora can be an awful banshee.”
    â€œShe’s a bit cranky,” Fitzy explained as he led Lizzie toward Madame Aurora’s tent. “But do as you’re told,