The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood

Finished!”

CHAPTER 7
    Much later, after night had fallen, Lizzie made her way across the circus camp. Madame Aurora’s angry words were still ringing in her ears. Above the London rooftops the stars were out, brilliant as sequins against the black velvet sky. They reminded Lizzie of the zodiac signs she’d seen on the drapes in Madame Aurora’s tent — a swirl of fantastic beasts and mythical figures.
    â€œLoad of rubbish,” she muttered. “They’re just stars. People shouldn’t go making up shapes that ain’t there.”
    Lizzie knocked on the door of the Fitzgerald trailer, the largest of them all, and Malachy called from inside, “Come in, Lizzie! I think we can squeeze in one more.”
    Inside, the caravan was full of mementos — battered top hats, old canes, brightly colored juggling clubs. Even the walls were covered with playbills and pictures of past performances. Lizzie hesitated, wondering where on earth she could sit.
    â€œOver here!” Nora called from where she sat cross-legged on the bed below the window. “We’ll be snug as sausages.”
    Lizzie shuffled past Dru, Hari, and Erin, who were crowded around a low table playing cards. Piles of peanuts were changing hands instead of money.
    â€œTake off those batts before you climb on the bed,” Malachy warned her.
    â€œHe means your shoes,” Nora said, laughing in response to Lizzie’s blank look. “You’d better learn more circus lingo if you’re going to be part of this troupe!”
    Lizzie pulled her shoes off and sat down next to Nora. The bed was covered with a rainbow-colored patchwork quilt and heaped with pillows. A light rain began to rattle against the window, making Lizzie feel all cozy in this private world — it would hurt to have to leave.
    â€œWon’t do me much good to learn your ways if I’m getting thrown out on my ear tomorrow,” Lizzie muttered.
    Nora stared at her. “Who told you that?”
    â€œMadame Aurora,” Lizzie said. “Who’d you think?”
    â€œOh, don’t let that woman scare you,” Nora said. “It’s just the gin talking. She’s crazy for it.”
    â€œSo I can stay? I don’t have to go?” Lizzie asked hopefully.
    Malachy looked up from his card game. “Of course you can stay. Why wouldn’t you? Lizzie, you’re as white as a sheet! What’s this all about?”
    The card game was instantly forgotten as they all crowded around her. Lizzie swallowed. “I—I don’t think I should say.”
    â€œWhat did that old hag say to you?” Erin demanded.
    â€œI didn’t mean to do it!” Lizzie burst out. “I just saw things! The moment I touched her stupid old life line!”
    It all came pouring out. Lizzie told them everything that had happened. As she described the visions, Erin and Nora listened open-mouthed. Malachy paid close attention, and Dru folded his arms and said nothing.
    But Hari . . . Hari didn’t even seem surprised. “I think you have a gift, Lizzie,” he said quietly.
    â€œGet out of here!” Lizzie protested. “I do not.”
    â€œIn India, we have holy men who are supposed to have wonderful powers,” Hari said. “They can levitate, read minds, and even walk on hot coals. Perhaps . . .”
    Lizzie was having none of it. “I’m not from India! I’m from Rat’s Castle!”
    â€œSounds like you saw Aurora’s life story,” Malachy said. “Pretty miserable life too.”
    â€œLizzie saw her past,” Hari agreed. “But I wonder . . . you say the visions become clearer the closer you came to the present day?”
    â€œYes.” Lizzie nodded.
    â€œSo the blurrier a vision is, the further in the past it is,” Hari said. “Tell me, was there a vision that was clearer than clear? Shining bright?”
    â€œYes! How did you know?”