Chapter Seventeen
The circus had reached Nottingham. As Luca helped erect the big top his heart wasn’t in it.
He usually enjoyed his job but now he felt empty.
He had been so sure that he and Charity had a life together to look forward to.
The one time they had come together had been so special, and there had been no regrets on either side.
He loved her so much. Even giving up the circus to be with her had seemed a small price to pay.
Now, he was struggling to understand how her feelings could have changed so quickly.
She had never seemed to be a material person and he couldn’t imagine her being happy staying in one place.
She had loved her life on the road as much as he had.
She had even left her family to be with him.
So what could have changed her mind so quickly?
But Scarlet had been adamant. He had studiously avoided her since she had passed on Charity’s message.
Now, he wondered if she was being entirely truthful.
She had made no secret of the fact that she wanted him.
Could she have lied to get him for herself?
He paused in the act of hammering in a tent peg and looked around.
Scarlet was outside her trailer. As she saw him looking towards her, she tossed her head and frowned.
Since not getting what she wanted from him her infatuation had clearly turned to disdain.
He didn’t mind that. At least she wasn’t following him about anymore.
He had even seen her flirting with some of the other circus men.
With a shake of his head, he tried to concentrate on what he was doing, but it wasn’t easy.
It was the middle of the afternoon when he knew what he must do. Tonight, he would speak to his parents and be honest with them.
His chance came late that evening as the last of the fair-goers trickled away.
‘Mother, I need a word.’
Kezia was just about to enter her trailer but she turned to smile at him. ‘Of course, Luca. Come in. I am just making cocoa for me and your father.’
Soon they were sitting together and they were watching him expectantly.
‘So, what is so important that you need to talk to us about it so late?’ his mother said encouragingly.
Luca sighed. He knew that what he was about to say would break their hearts. All his life he had been training to become the circus master when his father retired. But that would never happen now. His need to find Charity was too great. And so, he began to tell them about his love for her.
‘But you know that the Gypsies and the circus people marry their own kind.’ His father looked shocked.
‘And we have always wondered if you and Scarlet would wed,’ his mother added.
Luca shook his head. ‘I’m sorry. But love strikes where it will. We have no choice in it.’
His mother sighed. ‘You do realise that by running away Charity has shamed her family? It is highly unlikely they will accept her back now. That is, if she wanted to return to them.’
‘I know that.’ Luca sighed. ‘But I have to try. I need to know that what Scarlet told me was true. I hope you understand.’
His father began to get upset and angry.
‘So you are going to go on a wild goose chase looking for a girl who has already spurned you? Is she worth risking what you have worked for all your life? In a few years’ time you could be master of all this.
And what will we tell everyone if you leave? We will be a laughing stock.’
‘Does that mean you will not let me come back?’ Luca asked quietly.
His father opened his mouth to answer but his mother butted in first.
‘There will always be a place here for you, my son.’
‘Not if he brings the Gypsy girl back with him.’ His father glared at her. ‘What would people say?’
‘Times are changing,’ she said hotly. ‘And if the only way I can have my son here is with her . . .’ She paused.
‘Then so be it.’ She turned to Luca again and touched his hand gently before saying, ‘Go and do what you have to do, and with my blessing. And remember, your home is with us, wherever we are.’
Luca gave her a kiss on the cheek and left quietly. It was time to start packing up his trailer. There was no time like the present.