The Acrobats of Agra
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The Great Romanini had a bird’s eye view the night I pushed over general Biddle. I didn’t mean to but that doesn’t seem to count when it comes to knocking over generals. Especially ones as important as General Biddle.
His long row of medals, their ribbons all colours of the rainbow, tinkled like they’d caught a fit of the giggles as he tried to extract himself from Lady Stout’s lap.
And all the time the Great Romanini flew above us and all the time I couldn’t take my eyes off him. That’s how it happened – because I tipped my head so far back watching the Great Romanini fly. I was spellbound, so spellbound and so tipped back I toppled over.
It was like a mini game of skittles. I fell backwards into General Biddle, who was only a wee man, and he tumbled into Lady Stout. There the game of skittles ended.
“Harrrummpphh,” said the general. “Well I never,” remarked Lady Stout. “Beatrice Spelling!” exclaimed Aunt Constance. “Wow!” I said, listening to none of them.
How could I pay attention to anything but the mid- air magic trick being performed above our heads? I’d never seen anything like it and I’m pretty sure the city of Agra hadn’t and, who knows, maybe even the whole of India.
“Roll up, roll up...” the ringmaster had cried as we squeezed sweatily into the makeshift stands beneath the large circus tent. “Come see the daring, the death- defying, the flying Frenchies... Romanini and Juliette.”
I’d seen the red- and- white striped Big Top rise up on the plain outside the city two days before. Even the kite flyers hauled down their paper birds to watch. Posters appeared here, there and everywhere. I bubbled with excitement.
They made us wait to see the deathdefiers. The main attraction always comes on last ( otherwise everyone would go home as soon as they were done I suppose). It felt like a bit of forever.
About the author
Former sports journalist turned children’s author Robin Scott- Elliot lives on the West Coast. The Acrobats of Agra is published by Everything with Words, price £ 8.99