a line and chip the ball through different-sized holes at the far end. The lower ones were big, but the top one was barely larger than the ball itself. Teddy bears and sweets hung on the walls either side, ready to be won. One other boy was playing already. Josie thought he was probably about eight too, maybe a bit younger, and he wore a bright red Liverpool shirt from the new season. Shed asked for one like it for Christmas, much to her brothers teasing. He said they lived nowhere near Liverpool and she was just a glory supporter like the rest of them. He didnt care that she could name the entire squad, plus their numbers. In the end, it didnt matter anyway. Her parents had bought her a Man U shirt by accident. Of course, shed never worn it.
Josie watched as the boy kicked the ball. It bounced off the rim of the top hole.
Bad luck, lad, said the man running the stall. He had a funny little beard on the tip of his chin, and a crooked nose. You want another go?
The boy shook his head. His ginger hair was cut short and he had lots of freckles. His chin was plump, with a cleft down the centre. He looked like he was ready to cry.
How much? said Josie.
Hello sweetheart, said the man, smiling and showing off a gold tooth. Five pence gets you two balls, ten pence gets you five.
Josie handed over her 50p. Ill have five, please.
The man dropped her money into his apron and gave her four ten-pence pieces in return. Then he fetched the ball.
There you go, sweetheart.
Josie placed the ball carefully and took a few steps back. The boy had stayed, and was staring intently.
Her first chip bounced off the board, not even close, and she tried not to let her disappointment show. From the corner of her eye, she saw the stallholder fold his arms. He didnt think she could do it probably because she was a girl. The freckly kid was the same, most likely. She wished hed get lost.
Ill show them
Her second shot was even worse, and nearly went over the top. The man tossed the ball back to her.
Take your time, he said.
Josie knew he was being patronising, so she kicked the ball deliberately quickly. It nearly went through the middle hole! She threw the stallholder a glance to see if he was impressed. He was smiling at her.
You can do it, said the red-headed boy in a small, hopeful voice.
I know I can, she said, and he blushed more than shed ever seen a person blush before. It was like a switch being flicked that changed the colour of his face completely. For her next shot, she did take it slowly, sucking in a deep breath before she kicked the ball. It arced straight up and dropped through the top ring, barely touching the sides.
Yes! she said, pumping her fist.
The stallholder was already fetching down one of the huge teddy bears from the top rail of prizes. You could be a pro, I reckon, he said. There you go pretty teddy for a pretty girl.
Josie didnt like the way he said it, or the look on his face.
Im with my brother, she said, adding, Hes fifteen.
She clutched her prize. The stuffed toy was almost as big as she was, and though she was much too old for teddies, that wasnt the point. She started to walk away.
Wait up, lass youve got another go.
Josie turned back. The stallholder was holding out the ball to her. The ginger boy was hanging back.
Let him have it, she said.
Thanks! called the boy, reddening once more, then eagerly taking the ball.
Josie stayed and watched as he kicked and missed.
Tell you what, said the stallholder, have a prize anyway. He took a lollipop from a jar and handed it over. Josie thought that was very kind.
Turning away, she spotted Kim and Bec queuing at an ice-cream van and ran over to join them.
They spent the next hour together. Kim got a Feast, but Bec and Josie went for crushed ice drinks blue ones, that made their tongues change colour. They tried out the swingboat, throwing their arms in the air as the wind blasted through their hair. Then they went on a bouncy castle, until some bigger boys started being too rough. After a go on the dodgems, and some strawberry sherbets, Josie was down to her last 5p, and there was still an hour before she had to meet her brother again. She wondered if he might give her some more money even 10p. Paul had a Saturday job helping at a barbers in town and that got him three quid a time. Their parents thought he was saving, but most of it went on cigs. First, though, she needed a wee.
Kim pointed her past the big top, towards a set of cubicles standing in a row. With all the crowds, the quickest way was through a load of caravans parked up behind the tent. She guessed it was where all the workers stayed, and the people who
set up the shows.
Meet you by the haunted house, she said, and headed off.
Beyond the main circus tent, the ground was boggy, but here and there panels of rubber matting had been laid across patches of mud. Cables snaked between the caravans, and with bin bags and buckets strewn about it wasnt very nice at all. The caravans themselves looked deserted, their curtains drawn. Josie quickened her step, suddenly thinking she probably wasnt supposed to be in this area at all.