The Tears Of A Clown

Chapter Two

George found the best thing about coming back after the six months break, was meeting up with some of his old friends and family in the circus, that he not seen in a while, and catching up with everything again.

There were some people he was looking forward to seeing more than others though.

So when he caught sight of his parents long time friends, Carla and Tony, he immediately looked out for their daughter Estelle, who was a year younger than him, and who also happened to be one of his closest friends from their early childhood.

But then a few months ago he began to see the pretty blonde haired contortionist, as more than just his old childhood friend.

It had happened earlier in the year, when his family had been invited to watch her perform in a cabaret act in a theatre. She had taken the job to earn extra money during the break from the Circus.

Somehow, watching her in the confines of the small theatre seemed more intimate, and George found himself suddenly fascinated with the movements in her body, and it was no longer in just a professional way.

He had been too embarrassed by these new feelings to say or do anything about it at the time, especially with the rest of his family there.

But now he would see plenty of Estelle during this circus tour, so he was hopeful that things might develop between them, that would lead to more than just friendship

It wasn't that he was short of females being interested in him, because he had inherited his fathers good looks. But there had been no serious romances in his life just yet.

He was so busy with his gruelling schedule to keep his trapeze performance at its peak, there hadn't been time really.

 But now he was suddenly willing to make time for Estelle.

He finally found her in the Big Top, which had just been erected. She was occupied limbering up, for her contortion act she performed, pulling her leg up so it went behind her head and holding it there, but then she smiled as soon as she seen him

"Hey George how is it going?" she then greeted him straightening her leg back into its proper position. So she could come over and give him a hug. His arms went around her waist, and he let himself drink in her scent for the few moments the hug lasted, realising she smelled real nice

"It's going good," he replied, hoping his voice sounded normal, "and it's good to be back in the ol' ring again too."

"Yes I have missed the circus, it's just not the same in a small theatre, you don't get the same atmosphere or the high when you are performing in front of a large audience and all the excitement of the Big Top," Estelle admitted glancing around her and smiling

George felt his heart lift, knowing exactly what Estelle meant. Perhaps that was another good sign that they had something in common, and they were meant to be together

"Well, I just wanted to let you know if you are free later, you should drop in to Grandfathers caravan. Our parents have agreed to let me and Maria have it for ourselves instead of us all being stuck with them. So we thought we would have a bit of a party with our friends to celebrate our new independence

"Wow great," Estelle exclaimed, "I will be there, don't worry"

"Good," George beamed, I am looking forward to it," he added truthfully feeling sure after a few beers later that evening, it would give him the Dutch courage to tell her how he felt.

"Hey Geordie boy!" he then heard a familiar voice hail him, he turned to see Patrick Brady, approaching them.

Patrick was a year older than George, whose Ariel skills included dangerous feats on the tightrope.