Jaspar zigzagged back and forth, sniffing all the delicious smells in the gutters. Kit walked beside Rosina, chatting to her. ‘Goodness me,’ said Kit, wiping his brow, ‘whatever will you do next? I’ve only known you for half an hour and already you’ve saved a boy from certain death from a lion, and now you’ve rescued a runaway elephant.’ Claire glanced down at Kit, who was gazing at Rosina with frank admiration. The sight made her feel slightly uneasy. ‘Oh, it’s all in a day’s work for a Romani princess,’ declared Rosina, waving her hand. ‘Or a grubby circus kid,’ Jem teased. ‘Speaking of which, I believe you have some hungry hayburners to deal with.’ He glanced up at Claire with a raised eyebrow. ‘Otherwise known as horses to you townies.’ ‘And I believe you have some elephant mess to clean up,’ Rosina retorted, her hand on her hip. ‘Don’t forget to suggest to the greengrocer that he might want a pile of elephant dung to dry as a souvenir.’ Everyone laughed.
