The Tears Of A Clown

Chapter Twentyseven

Jelena was waiting for George outside the Big Top after he finished his performance’ It was just over a week since she had left hospital, she was still taking it easy. Although the sprain in her ankle had more or less healed and she wasn’t limping as much on it.

She was still feeling a little self conscious around her friends and peers. She still found it difficult to be as sociable as she use to. Though thankfully, with the circus always on the go, and things always happening and going on, what had happened with her, was already becoming old news.

Her father had been slightly disapproving of the fact that she had been foolish enough to manage to get pregnant in the first place, but under the tragic circumstances, very little was said on it, and the rest of her family were being very supportive.

George was a little surprised, but pleased when he found her waiting on him. Up until now, she had been hiding away in his caravan or with her mother.

“Hey!” he hugged her.

“How did the show go?” she asked.

“Good,” he replied, “Although I don’t know what is going on with my Father, he has been acting really strange lately,” he then frowned

“Do you think it’s because of what happened between us?” Jelena asked anxiously

George shook his head, “No this has been going on before all that happened. He has just been in a really strange mood over these last few weeks; one minute he is on a high, then he goes all quiet and broody and can snap at us, over the least little thing, even Maria can’t sweet talk her way around him,” he grinned

“I bet she is not happy about that,” Jelena laughed

“No she is not, and it doesn’t help she gets moody too, She is not so good at biting her tongue as I am, It’s been kindda stressful, yet despite that, we seem to be on top form when we get up there to perform in front of an audience

“I think your family must thrive on tension” Jelena replied, “Some people do”

“Well I could do with less of it myself. Mom and I are always the ones who end up playing the peacekeepers,” George replied as they started to walk towards his caravan, his arm around her waist. Then he remembered he had something else to tell her

“Oh, I was talking with Carla, they are planning a bit of a farewell get together for Estelle tomorrow night, now they know she is definitely of to Australia in a few weeks time, and we are invited. It will just be close friends and family, so its not a big crowd, just so we can wish her well before she goes”

“I see,” Jelena replied looking a little troubled. This only reminded her of the recent events she was trying hard to forget. She was still feeling guilty and a little foolish for believing that George was going to go off with Estelle, when that had not been the case. She didn’t think she was could cope with that sort of social gathering just yet

Sensing her uneasiness, George’s arm tightened around her waist a little, as his dark eyes surveying her troubled profile as they continued to walk along together.

“Perhaps its still a little too soon for you to be up to partying, I am sure they will understand, if we don’t be there, but I guess she had to offer the invite anyway”

Jelena frowned, “But I feel bad at the same time y‘know, like I am letting everyone down, especially Estelle”

“Don’t be silly, of course you are not,” George replied, “If you don’t feel up to it, there is no point in going and trying to pretend to enjoy yourself, when you are not”