The Sequin Star Read Online Free PDF

What were you doing walking under an elephant?’
    Rosina shrugged. Claire decided not to repeat her story of stepping off a bus and being hit by a bicycle. It sounded more and more absurd, even to her own ears. She rubbed her forehead, trying to think clearly.
    â€˜I’m not quite sure,’ Claire replied hesitantly. ‘I can’t quite remember.’
    â€˜She seems to have hit her head. She’s very confused,’ added Rosina.
    Malia stood up and gestured for Claire to sit down on the chair. She examined the wound on Claire’s head then disappeared inside the caravan. Claire’s eyes scanned the newspaper beside her; it looked odd. The banner along the top read The Sydney Morning Herald , Friday, March 11, 1932. Claire felt a sick lurch in her stomach.
    There was a story about the upcoming opening of the Harbour Bridge, one about the latest outbreak of infantile paralysis and another about the Premier, Mr Lang, pushing a new law through State Parliament.
    Claire took a deep breath. She fought back a surge of fear. This is impossible . I must be dreaming . Why does the newspaper have a date that is more than eighty years ago? Who are these people? How on earth did I get here?
    Her head was pounding, her mouth was dry and her heart was beating erratically. Claire thought she might throw up. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to quell the panic.
    Malia fetched a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth. She gently wiped away the congealed blood from Claire’s forehead. Claire winced with the sting.
    â€˜Is this a film set?’ Claire asked suddenly. ‘Are you actors?’
    Malia snorted. ‘You have gone soft in the head, although sometimes I’m sure Princess Rosina here thinks she’s an actress.’
    Rosina raised her eyebrows at Claire and smiled. Lula the monkey stroked her hair with soft gnarled paws.
    â€˜Where are we?’ asked Claire.
    â€˜Orange,’ replied Rosina. ‘The latest camp of Sterling Brothers Circus.’
    â€˜Orange?’ asked Claire. ‘What do you mean?’
    â€˜Don’t you know where we are?’ asked Rosina ‘We’re about one hundred and fifty miles west of Sydney.’
    â€˜One hundred and fifty miles west of Sydney?’ Claire felt sick. How did she get so far from home?
    â€˜We’re heading towards Sydney – the Harbour Bridge opens in a week,’ added Malia.
    â€˜The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?’ asked Claire in disbelief.
    â€˜Of course,’ replied Rosina. ‘No one seems to have talked about anything else, except perhaps the depression, for months.’
    â€˜What’s the date?’ Claire asked.
    Malia leant over and read the top of the news­paper. ‘That’s yesterday’s paper, which makes it Saturday, March 12.’
    â€˜ 1932 ?’ asked Claire. ‘It can’t be. It can’t be. It’s November, two thousand and . . .’
    Have I somehow gone back in time? Claire jumped up, ready to run. But where can I run to? Where can I go? She felt swamped by fear and confusion. She crumpled back into her chair, her heart thumping in her chest.
    Rosina looked at her with alarm. Malia patted her on the arm.
    â€˜My head hurts,’ Claire confessed in a woebegone voice, rubbing her forehead.
    â€˜Perhaps you should lie down for a little while. Do you live nearby?’ asked Malia.
    â€˜Yes . . . no . . . I don’t know,’ answered Claire. She burst into tears. ‘I don’t know anyone here.’
    Malia patted her gently on the arm. ‘You’re in shock, I think. You’ll be all right in a little while. What you need is a hot cup of tea, a couple of aspirin and a little quiet time.’
    â€˜I thought Jem could go into town and telephone her parents,’ suggested Rosina.
    â€˜Good idea,’ agreed Malia. ‘But first let’s get her to lie down.’
    Malia bustled