“Wow! Just… wow!” I exclaimed as my daughter appeared from the backstage area at the rear of the circus tent, now dressed in her regular clothes.

“I can’t believe I just did that!” she replied, running over to us, elated.

“I didn’t know you had it in you,” My wife said.

“Neither did I. But when the judge offered me the opportunity I had to take it. I only had around four hours to figure out the routine and rehearse it.”

“Well, no bully’s going anywhere near you when this gets around school,” said my son in admiration.

How quickly people can change, I reflected. Or had my daughter’s goody, goody two shoes persona merely been her way of masking her innate sadism? Well, if so, the mask was well and truly off.

We began walking lazily back to the entrance of the funfair, coming down from our high, and as we passed the information booth the attendant spotted us and came out.

“I’m glad I caught you before you left Mr and Mrs Everett. The government would like to offer your daughter a regular spot in the circus tent. The ringmaster has never seen a more positive response from an audience!”

“We’d be fine with that,” replied my wife. “Would you like that darling?”

“Yes please! I think I’ve found my calling!” replied my daughter.

“Now… about that slap-up meal…” she added, turning to me expectantly as I frowned at my son.