Penny Does a Runner: Part XI

It was in something of a daze that Penny was led back to the circus tent. Before she knew quite what was happening she stood backstage amongst half a dozen young women dressed in blue leotards just like hers.

“Ah, you must be the stand-in for Josephine!” a brunette girl said to her. “What luck – I had thought we would be one down this evening.”

“Thirty seconds!” a man said.

“B-but... I’m not...” Penny said to nobody in particular, turning on the spot in bewilderment as the girls chatted and fuss...