1. Running Away With The Circus

"So, tell me, why do you want to join the circus?"

He looked disinterested, reading my CV in front of him as if there was something useful to be found within. I coughed, wishing I had a drink.

"Well, I have been interested in acrobatics all my life, and thought it was time for a change of career." He looked up, mildly surprised. "I don't mind starting at the bottom. I'll work hard."

"I'm sure you will. However, you see" He paused. "We don't have any positions for acrobats, we just don't have the time to train people, you need to really be from a circus family."

"Oh"

I sighed. I had realised this may be the case. I resigned myself to failure, back to the office job again tomorrow.

"Look. If you don't mind working, we do have a position which may be of interest." He stood up and walked me out of his caravan and towards the back of the big top. The circus was on its annual visit to our town and I wanted to escape with it, leave behind the oppressive boyfriend, the dead-end job and do something fun with my life. The mythical 'running away with the circus' come true, as it were.

He pushed open the tent flaps. As I stepped into the backstage area my breath was taken from me by the sudden splash of an ice-cold bucket of water. I gasped, my arms flailing and my mouth open in a shocked 'O'.

"That is, it! That is how you take a bucket of water"

I wiped my eyes. There was a man standing before me, an empty bucket in his hands.

"I am sorry, miss!" He grinned. "But that was a perfect reaction!"

"Well, this could bode very well." The ringmaster put his hand on my now damp shoulder.

"Jane here wants to join us and I think she could have a role with your team?"

"Clowns?" I spluttered.

"Please." The man bowed. "Not just clowns, madam. We are masters of the comedic arts, practitioners of mirth. You don't need to take that tone with us."

"I am sorry But I'm not a clown?"

"You're a natural" He smiled. "So, would you like to give it a try?"

I wanted to say that clowning was beneath me, but it was at that moment the lights in the circus ring came on. I stepped forward in awe, the seats were empty but I could feel the power of the audience. I looked back and the clowns were smiling.

"My goodness, she has it! She's hooked!"

"Just what am I supposed to have?" I stuttered.

"Sawdust in your blood! I can see it in your eyes. You want to be out there; you need to be in the ring. Look, give it a try tonight. See if you enjoy it "He winked, holding out his hand. I grasped it, shaking firmly.

***

The first performance was about to start. I had been told to sit in a seat ringside, the clowns weren't going to tell me what was about to happen, I was to be a stooge. Someone who would be taken from the audience and invited to join the act. I sat nervously as the seats beside me filled. I had no idea what was to happen to me. All I had been told was to wear a swimsuit beneath a summer dress. It had seemed like a strange request, but he had told me it would prevent any issues, without quite explaining what those might be. I'd shrugged and so here I was.

The lights dimmed; the circus band played. Here was the ringmaster, resplendent in a red coat. I started to relax slightly as a juggler and then an aerial artist performed. Then the band struck into a jolly tune, I started to tremble as I watched the man I had seen before now in huge clown shoes and a painted face joined by two others.

They ran around the ring, honking a horn and banging a bass drum. Then they asked for someone from the audience before I could react, his hand was on my arm. "This lovely young lady. Now, what is your name"

"Jane " I stuttered.

"Jane! What a lovely name" He grasped my shoulders and drew me into the ring. "Relax kid and enjoy the ride!" He whispered in my ear. He turned back to the audience. "Now Jane Smell my flower!"

I knew what was coming as I leaned into his lapel; however, I was unprepared for the force of the stream of water which hit me in the face. I staggered back as a flow of water knocked me from my feet. I was aware of a swanny whistle from the circus band and then being grabbed by two of the clowns and being helped back upright. I gasped. The audience laughed, cheering at my misfortune.

"Oh, Jane Was the flower too overpowering for you She fainted ladies and gentlemen! She needs rousing. Maybe a lovely slice of pie?"

"Pie?"

"Oh yes A delicious pie will help her recover won't it boys and girls?"

There was a cheer from the audience as the second clown brought out a paper plate piled high with fluffy cream which had been coloured shocking pink. He presented the plate to his colleague who held it in front of me. A shudder went down my spine, I knew where this was going.

"Do you think she wants it, boys and girls?" The cheer was deafening. "I can't hear you? Does she want it?" Again, the crowds went wild with cheers and applause. He played the audience until, when I had actually thought, he was going to spare me he flung the plate into my face.

I stood stock-still, the shock of the pie freezing me on the spot. Slowly the plate peeled away causing another rumble of applause, quietened by the amount of foam in my ears. I reached up, wiping my eyes slowly, mostly in shock.

"Did she like the pie boys and girls?" Cheers and stamping of feet. "Do you think Jane would like another pie?"

The applause was deafening, a second pie was brought out and this time, after much build up pushed into my features, the plate twisted so that I was completely engulfed. Before I could wipe my eyes, I felt the other two clowns sandwich my head with pies from the left and right.

"Oh Jane, take a bow!" He pushed me down, and as I bent to take a bow the clowns slammed a huge pie into my rump! I sprung up which caused a roar of laughter.

"Oh, boys and girls Jane is all messy. She needs a wash. Shall we give her a bath?"

While I stood, my mouth flapping like a fish out of the water, a large bathtub was rolled into the ring by the other two clowns.

Oversized with huge taps and two steps at the other end. I was helped to the top of the steps, and plonked down on the edge of the bath, for some reason they didn't let me look at the water beneath.

"One!" The crowd joined in shouting, two and three before he shoved me firmly in my chest. I fell backwards, landing in what I had expected to be a deep bath of water but seemed to be instead filled with thick batter. I was engulfed in the creamy white slop, sinking beneath the surface before rising spluttering.

The bath was deep, up to my waist, and slippery. I emerged, coated in a layer of thick batter before my feet slid from under me and I disappeared from view again beneath the white mass. I eventually struggled to my knees and grabbed for the side of the bath, my head resting on the rim, batter dripping from my face. The clowns helped me to my feet but I soon realised I was being pushed forwards, flying from the bath onto a mat below, a mat which was covered in inches of flour. I landed in a white cloud before eventually struggling to my feet, looking a cross between a statue and a ghost.

I coughed, spraying clouds of flour. The audience, which had been laughing erupted into applause. I could just about see people standing, clapping and stamping their feet at my performance.

I paused taking a bow which was rewarded with another pie to my rear, I stumbled forward in a pratfall and landed back in the flour causing another white cloud to rise. Again, the crowd applauded wildly.

The clowns stood me upright. I staggered forward and they gestured that they would clean me. Naturally, I was hit with two buckets of brightly coloured slop, red and blue which dripped from my body. They held their hands up in mock shock, grabbing at my dress and pulling. There was a tearing of fabric and the dress was torn in half with a clown holding a side each. I quickly tried to cover myself, of course wearing my one-piece costume beneath but playing along for laughs.

The clowns grabbed me, holding me horizontal and flinging me back into the bath which was swiftly pushed out of the ring by two stagehands. I emerged from the batter in the half-darkness of the backstage area where one of the stagehands helped me safely emerge from the bath and showed me towards a makeshift shower set up in a small tent behind the big top.

I glanced in the mirror, I was thick with white batter from head to toe, totally humiliated. And had loved every moment!

2. Taking a Bow

I washed off and found that a pair of leggings and a circus polo shirt had been left for me, I towelled myself dry and dressed before making my way back into the big top.

"There she is!" I was grabbed in a massive hug, the lead clown who introduced himself as Francis held me at arm's length. "Look at her lads! She is a natural! Didn't I say you had sawdust in your blood!"

The other clowns shook my hand and introduced themselves as Steve and Roy. I blushed but their compliments were genuine. They were still in their clown costumes and told me I should be ready to take my bow in the procession at the end of the show. I hadn't thought I would be given that opportunity but waited nervously as the performers came in and out of the ring, sharing greetings or compliments.

Francis nodded to me, the band was playing rousing music and the performers had formed up behind the curtain. Suddenly the lights were on us and we were parading into the ring. As they saw me the crowd went wild, Steve tapped me on the shoulder, showing that there were three pies hidden in a plinth behind us, he gestured to his face and pointed to the others. I needed no encouragement, I reached for the pies, first slamming one into Steve's face and another into Roy's. Finally, I stood in front of Francis, the crowd cheering and slapped the deep pie into his features.

The applause was deafening and stayed with me as we went back into the semi-darkness.

***

"Well, this deserves a drink!" Francis pulled out a bottle of Champagne. "I'd been saving this, but I think young Jane here deserves it." He popped the cork and we sipped the cold liquid from chipped mugs in his caravan. "You were amazing. It takes skill to perform as you did. Skill or" He paused.

"What?"

"No Nothing. Let's drink"

We polished off the bottle and the other two lads left to go to their caravan. I took a proper look at Francis, he was a handsome man, in his thirties, with a fit body and chiselled features. He'd poured me glasses of rum and coke and we'd been laughing.

"Earlier When you said it was skill or something else? What did you mean?"

"Well, you either learn how to clown. Hours of training and timing. Or, well, you may be a natural. Tell me honestly. You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

"Oh, it was fun"

"No, I mean" He gulped. "Sorry, you 'really' enjoyed it Didn't you?"

Shit! I blushed, I noticed he had also turned a shade of red. I had seen him watching me, after the first pies and then as I sunk into the bath of batter, my nipples betrayed me. The feeling of the thick goo seeping into my bathing suit had Oh, God, this was wrong. I said as much.

"No" He said quietly. "There is nothing wrong with wanting the slop. If you are lucky, the job can be so much more."

"But It's wrong" I whispered.

"Why? Out there, in the ring, you are on a high. Just you and the audience. It can be Powerful"

"But it" I gulped. "I almost came, that can't be right?"

"Follow me"

***

The big top was silent. There were a few lights dotted about, but otherwise, it was just us. There were the props from the show. The bath was standing alone, still, the deep, summer warmed batter within it. He reached into the bath, drawing his hand out covered in the thick, white paste. I watched longingly as it dripped from his fingers.

"You're transfixed." He smiled. "I bet you are wishing you could go back in there"

I stuttered, but it was true, the bath was calling to me. He nodded, taking my hand and leading me up the steps. He stood on the top step for a moment before stepping into the bath, his jeans disappearing into the mass. I gasped as he stepped fully in, the white slop reaching the tops of his thighs. He held out his hand to me. I paused for a moment, but then stepped in. The batter was so smooth, like a thick cream and so beautifully warm. The evening was cooling now, but the bath had held its heat. The warm batter caressed me as my legging covered legs sunk into it. He sat down and I did the same, the oversized bath allowing us to sit comfortably facing each other. He dipped his hand in again and brought it out, caressing my face with his fingers, allowing the warm mess to ooze down my soft skin. The level of the bath was almost up to the bottom of my breasts, covered only with the polo shirt. My legs were beneath the surface, my body throbbing as I felt the weight of the batter caress me.

"You see, nothing wrong in this. We are two clowns in a bath of slop. How totally natural."

His smile was so genuine, I leaned forward and kissed him before I realised what I was doing. I slid back in shock at my actions. He smiled, leaning forward and our lips met again, his hands, thickly covered in batter reaching for my chest. Oh, as the thick paste was smoothed across my hardening nipples I was in ecstasy.

"I don't want to rush anything. But I think you need this"

I wanted to grab him there and then, he had seen through me, found my Achilles heel, my sexual weakness, one which I had not even realised myself that I had. I reached forward, slowly starting to unbutton his shirt. I pulled it open and started to smooth batter across his chest, feeling his muscles become taut beneath my hands. I dipped down into the slop and felt his excitement. He laughed.

"I'm sorry, you are just so very sexy and"

I didn't let him finish, diving forward and kissing him hard, he slid down and soon we were beneath the surface. We crested the batter and laughed as we looked at each other's bodies, completely covered in white paste.

He grabbed my polo shirt, pulling at the seams, tearing the fabric until I was exposed to him. I slid his shirt from him, we both caressed our bodies, exploring and touching as we kissed.

"May I?" He reached his hand below the surface, I felt him pull open my leggings and gasped as his finger slid across my mound, glancing on my clit which caused a burst of energy to flood through my body. Lubricated with the batter he slipped his fingers into me. I grabbed for him, my hand circling his stiff cock soon we had found a rhythm both pulsing in the heavy mess. He was so hard, so big, I dreamed of him inside me, but as he thrummed with his fingers, flitting at my clitoris I knew I was seconds from the orgasm I had held back during the show, I could hold back no more and gasped. I felt his muscles tighten and soon we were gasping before slumping into each other's arms.

I kissed him deeply.

"Welcome to the circus"

3. Rehearsal Time

We eventually left our warm bath after snuggling into each other's arms. I wasn't like this. I never did this sort of thing on a first date, let alone with a colleague, but, for whatever reason, this felt right. There was something about Francis, a humility beneath the showmanship, he had been so gentle not pushing but enabling me, allowing me to have a level of sexual freedom and no longer did it feel wrong.

We had showered together, gently washing the layers of flour paste from our bodies and shampooing our hair in the water. Then he had led me back to his caravan, he said I could use it, he could bunk down with the other clowns. I'd smiled and grabbed hold of his shirt. Thank goodness there had been spare uniforms in the backstage area, our clothes had been sodden, thick with batter and were being washed, as we slept in a huge washing machine in one of the lorries.

As we woke and stumbled out there were no knowing looks or comments made, we were welcomed with the others as we sat at long tables in the sun eating fruit and toast. Francis had suggested that we carry out some rehearsals. He said I had been a natural, however, it was always better and safer to have some practice and the lads had some new sketches they wanted to try and were keen that I became involved.

Steve and Roy were lovely, both in their thirties but with a sparkle of mischief in their eyes. They joked and pratfell around at breakfast, causing laughter amongst the other performers and stagehands. We were to be here for three more days before moving on. It would be a chance for me to see if the circus life was for me before we left my town and, if I chose to stay, my life behind in this provincial hell.

***

I laughed as the two clowns brought on the huge box. Turning it round I saw that it was a washing machine, at least a comedy version of one. At least five times bigger with a huge porthole door. The idea was that one of them would get inside and it would tumble them. Curiosity got the better of me and I opened the door and peered inside at the huge drum. I shrieked as I was grabbed and flung into the drum, with the door slammed shut. I slammed my fists on the plastic but the door had locked. There was movement and the drum started to turn.

I panicked, but found there were loops for my hands and feet, I slipped them in and was able to take the gentle rotation. It was only for a short time before the door opened and Steve looked nervously in.

"Sorry, but I couldn't resist. Oh, you found the handholds? The drum is padded too Come on, I'll let you out."

"No" I giggled. "How did it look?"

"Oh, amazing!" He beamed. "I have been working on this for weeks it looked great. It'll look even better with the water and powder."

"Okay"

"Okay, what?"

"Okay, do the rest of the sketch"

"No No It's too much. I'll be going inside."

"Look, will it look better with the stooge getting washed?" I watched the smile grow on his face.

"Okay. Just bang on the door when you want to stop." He slammed the door shut and the drum started to turn. Slowly first and then quicker. Then, as Roy pressed a huge button, water surged in. This was different and needed to take a breath before I was submerged.

I had done a few rotations when Roy added washing powder. This caused a flood of foam into the drum before it spun at high speed for a few seconds. At the end of this, the door flew open and the drum tipped causing me to slither onto a waiting crash mat. I staggered to my feet, dizzy, falling down in a heap.

"Bravo!" Francis ran forward and helped me up. "Amazing Steve! Jane, are you sure you're happy to do this?"

I did a perfect spit-take, spraying a mouthful of water into Francis's face. He hugged me.

"Oh, you are a total star!"

***

The applause that night was greater than ever. The washing machine sketch had gone down a storm with me playing a snooty character who the audience was itching to see receive her comeuppance. When I was flung into the machine by Roy and Steve there had been a massive cheer.

I had flopped out onto the mat like a floundering fish and told them, quietly, to do it again. They had asked the audience should I be washed again which had created a cheer from the children and I had been shoved in for another ride. This time, Steve flung in bags of flour so I came out white and gooey.

I had tried to walk away, pratfell into a huge laundry basket and been rushed off stage, showered and ready to take my bow at the end of the show.

***

At the end of the week, we were almost ready to leave. I had to decide if I wanted to stay with the circus and my new lover or stay in an office job Oh, what a tough choice

"Oh no, it isn't!"

4. New Friends

Dear Mum

I've done something you will no doubt think is very stupid, I've run away with the circus. I was in a dead-end job and thought that, if I don't do this now I never will. I've also met this amazing man called Francis.

I sat writing the letter to my mother. It was between shows, the matinee had been amazing, the audience and especially the children had loved the snooty stooge getting picked from the audience. We had combined the bath and the washing machine as it felt right that after I had been slathered in the batter, I should have my clothes washed, of course, Frances would say in a stage whispered aside to the audience 'we never said she could take them off!' - I would be flung into the machine which now overflowed with foam and would then be 'accidentally' covered in a pot of whitewash flung by Roy requiring another trip in the drum. At the end of this, I would slither out, stagging to my feet before being whisked away in the laundry basket, the audience applause ringing in my ears.

I had come out that afternoon and was just showering when I heard a noise outside, peering around the shower curtain I saw Teresa, she had a tightrope act. She had finished and was adjusting her stage makeup in the mirror.

"Oh hello, it's the clown queen!" She laughed. "I could never do what you do."

"I don't know you might quite enjoy it if you tried."

"Oh no All the mess" She cringed.

"It washes off And I can let you into a secret. It's rather fun." I started to towel myself down.

"Fun"

I looked up; she was biting her lip. "It's a bit naughty, getting all gooey"

"More than you could imagine!" I smiled.

***

I had finished the second show and was helping the lads put the props away when I saw Teresa lingering. The audience seats were empty and the big top quiet.

"Hello Tre, what are you doing hanging around. I thought you would have gone into town with the others?"

"Hi Francis, I just wanted to"

"Spit it out, Tre?" She blushed.

"Okay Right, I'll see you later Jane." He kissed me warmly. "Come on lads, my round."

"Hello, Teresa."

"Jane, I Oh God, I'm sorry." She started walking away.

"Teresa" I grabbed her shoulder.

"I've watched you, Jane, during the shows. Oh You look like you have such fun" She paused, looking down. "I'm jealous."

"What!" I scoffed. "You, jealous of me? You are Well, you're as fit as anything, dressed in that leotard. On a high wire I'm just a clown"

"But you have such fun You"

"Yes?" I smiled. "I've seen you watching through the curtain. I didn't know you felt this way Would you like to have a go?"

"What! Oh, no I couldn't Could I?"

I took Teresa by the hand, our equipment and props were still set up, ready for a rehearsal tomorrow morning. I took a bucket of the slop we used to make pies and popped the lid open, watching the way her eyes widened as I dipped my hand into the coloured cream. I took a handful and approached her, popping a blob on the end of her pretty nose. She giggled. I handed her the bucket and she slowly dipped her hand in, feeling the smooth cream engulf it. She brought it out and smeared it across my face.

"Oh, God Sorry"

I laughed, grabbing a huge handful and slapping it into her features. She stood shocked for a moment before digging in and flinging slop at me. We were soon, coated from the top of our heads to our shoulders. We were both laughing.

"Would you like more?"

She had nodded vigorously so I had grabbed her lithe body and put her over my shoulder, she shrieked, giggling as I approached the bath. I felt her body stiffen.

"No Not the"

She hit the surface which flooded up the sides of the bath before sinking. Her pink leotard and tights disappeared in the batter. There were a few bubbles before she crested the surface, struggling to sit upright, gasping. I reached down, grabbing her hand to help her out. I forgot that her upper body strength was astonishing, she pulled me hard and I landed in the bath with my head between her gooey breasts. We both sunk before wrestling in the thick mess.

We both struggled to the ring, panting and dripping batter.

"I'm sorry, but your leotard will wash"

I couldn't finish my sentence as she grabbed me giving me a floury kiss, her hands running across my gooey body. She stepped back.

"Oh, Jane I apologise"

I grabbed her and we embraced, she had a pert body. She reached up and started to remove her leotard and tights. She pushed me down to the ring floor before kneeling over my body, her weight was almost nothing, I was quietly jealous, but before I could say anything she had put her body over my face, her mound in reach of my tongue. I lapped at her sweet nectar, unsure what had come over me, but lost in the moment of this beautiful woman submitting herself to me.

I nibbled at her clit, causing her to moan and writhe, then long and slow laps of her lips until she squirted and collapsed beside me.

"Bravo ladies What a show!"

I froze as I heard Francis from the seats.

"Oh, shit! Francis I am so sorry"

"Shhh I think you have enjoyed Teresa's company. She is a foxy little tease, but I didn't realise you were into clowning."

"Neither did I, I thought I was just into clowns But that was so, sexy I am sorry Jane It was just so hot."

"But Francis" I sobbed.

"Shhh If you enjoyed it Then there is nothing wrong. But we must finish the act." He smiled, stepping towards the washing machine.

He helped Teresa into the drum, before gesturing to me. "Room for two, I believe"

The door closed and soon we were tumbling in the padded drum, warm water sloshing our bodies. We were flung out and slithered to our feet. I glanced at Teresa, she nodded and we both stood, walking towards Francis. He recognised the look in our eyes as we rushed towards him.

"Now ladies" He stepped back but was too slow. We grabbed him and dragged him to the bath. It was a tight squeeze, but we soon discovered that there was room for three wriggling bodies in that deep vat of slosh. By the end of the evening, we were more than very close friends!

5. New Act

I had felt guilty about the time I had spent with Teresa; however, Francis had just laughed and said the hours we had spent slithering together in the bath of slop more than made up for it. The final outcome apart from a new friendship was a new idea for our clowning act. It had taken some building and rehearsal, so it was a month and three towns later that we premiered our new performance.

The ring was set with a new, large vat which took all of the stagehands to move into position as the clowns entered the ring. At the same time, Teresa came on to perform her high wire act. There as a massive argument between her and Francis and I come out to 'break it up' as it were. Francis announced that I am the evil circus owner which always got a chorus of boos and hissing from the audience. I tell Teresa that she will need to do her act at the same time as the clowns as there is no time in the new show to have them separate. I tell her, anyone could do the high wire anyway.

As an aside, when Francis had first written this sketch, he had intended I would go thirty feet up and start to demonstrate how even I could walk the wire. Of course, as simple as Teresa made it look, it was impossible without years of training and I had first been too nervous to climb up and then, after a week of cajoling and lower wires had kept falling into the nets. Therefore, it was at this point in the act that a slackline was set up by the clowns. This was lower, only about ten feet off the ground, wider and supposedly simpler to walk.

So, the slackline was installed crossing over the vat and I am sure that the audience could see what was going to happen. I would step on the line and, quite ably I must say, wobble to a point where I was over the vat. At this stage, after some cheers from the audience, Teresa would come on the slackline and start to swing it. In the first few run-throughs I fell off straight away, but now I could last at least a few seconds. The idea was that I would fall straight into the batter and sink to the delight of the audience while Teresa would perform some perfect acrobatics on the line and leave me humiliated.

It looked great, the snooty circus owner gets her comeuppance, and Teresa takes a well-deserved bow. I started the new act, which would naturally end up with me in the washing machine to be cleaned up. After many performances, I was starting to get quite skilled. I realised I could balance pretty well and, to be honest, had started showboating on the slackline. Instead of falling off as instructed, I would ride the swing and fool about. Teresa would grit her teeth as I was getting the cheers. It had to change.

That night, in a small town we had a big and lively audience. I had come on, stepped on the slackline telling them anyone could do it and had managed to stay on the line as Teresa had bounced and swung the line. She was getting angry, unlike I had seen her before, but I was enjoying the applause and didn't want to do the pratfall.

With a look at Francis, Teresa turned and laughed. "You're going down"

I realised a second too late what she meant; she had grabbed a hanging cat ladder just as Roy released the tension on the line. I fell with a splash into the batter. The crowd went wild. Of course, the smug Teresa was only able to take the praise for a moment as Steve released the pin on the rope ladder and she splashed into the batter beside me.

We both surfaced, Teresa screamed and flew towards me, wrestling me under the batter. We flailed and wrestled, the crowd going wild before we were grabbed by Steve and Roy.

"I think they need to be cleaned up!" Francis addressed the audience. "Do you agree, boys and girls?"

The crowd were applauding and cheering as we were dragged from the vat and flung, one by one into the washing machine. As the drum tumbled there were bags of flour tossed into the top and foam sprayed in all directions. When we were dragged out, we looked dishevelled, foamy statues.

The ringmaster ushered us out of the ring.

"Teresa I'm sorry" I was cut short as Teresa hugged me.

"You silly thing! They loved it! Francis and I worked on that You were starting to showboat so the perfect reaction was to drop you But I couldn't let you enjoy it all by yourself!"

"What?"

"We planned it!"

"Oh Tre, I thought you were angry with me" I was almost sobbing.

"Of course, not" She laughed, pushing me towards the showers.

At this time in the show, the showers were empty. Teresa pushed me into the shower tent, sitting me down on the bench before she performed a slow striptease, her sodden leotard slipping off and then her tights. I bit my lip, noticing her pert nipples and lithe frame. She sat on my lap, starting to smear the clean parts of her body with the batter which still coated mine. I couldn't resist reaching out and touching her.

"Ah.. ah" She wagged her finger, before leaning down and pulling out a bundle of rope.

"No I'm in charge here clown. You still need to be taught a lesson for showing off"

She started to strip me, pulling off my sodden leggings and blouse, before grabbing my hands and tying them to the bench. I was soon lying flat, with my wrists and ankles tied. She reached into a locker and pulled out a huge cake, layers of chocolate and cream.

"Oh, look a proper pie None of your foam and flour paste here"

I shuddered as she brought the pie towards me, slamming it into my face. My world went dark as the chocolate and cream engulfed me. A second later, just as I was enjoying the sweet prison, I felt a weight on my face. It took me a moment to realise what was happening and then, as Teresa wriggled on my face I understood and started to lap at her sweet pussy.

The musky taste with the chocolate was intoxicating and I was lapping hungrily when Teresa exploded, slumping back down onto my chest.

"Whoo! Clown queen you are amazing Right, I'm going to have a shower."

I squeaked in protest. "You can't leave me here! Like this!"

"Oh, no You're quite right" She pulled out a bag and showed me a pink dildo. "This will keep you entertained. Oh, look how wet you are! You really are enjoying yourself." She slid the device inside me, its fiendish vibrations teasing me."

"Tre Teresa Shit! No Come back!"

***

"And where were you for the bows?"

I started to stutter by Francis just laughed.

"Teresa told me. Actually, I came in and saw you. It seemed you were miles away, certainly enjoying yourself."

I blushed deeply, I could have been seen by anyone, and that thought and the device between my legs had made me cum many times before Teresa had eventually come back to me. She had a leisurely shower and then went back into the ring for the final procession before untying me some hours later.

"It's okay. She tied the shower tent shut and told people there was a water leak. Do you know, it took all my self-control not to take you there and then."

"Oh, I wish you had" I sighed.

"Do you now? Did that naughty minx get you all hot and bothered?" I blushed. "Well, we will have to see about that."

Francis grabbed me, pushing me down on the bed.

6. Time For Revenge

Teresa had apologised for jumping me and tying me up, I had, of course, hugged her saying it was all good. However, the little minx deserved some payback and that was what I was plotting.

It was clear that she enjoyed sloppy mess as much as me, and so I thought I had the perfect plan to get my revenge on her.

It was Monday, we had moved to a new city and already been in place for a week so, as it was a dark day and the big top was empty, I suggested that we rehearsed some new skits for the act and had asked Teresa if she would take part with me.

She had agreed readily and came into the big top dressed in a crop top and leggings. I had suggested a knife-throwing spoof. We would put Teresa against a wooden wall and pretend to throw knives, however, this would be a disaster so she would be set free and I would replace her, she would blindfold me and then, instead of knives, she would throw pies. It was a simple premise and she was keen to take part.

I had wheeled the props in, starting with the knife-throwing wall. It was painted with an outline of a performer with leather cuffs so that she couldn't move and be hit by flying steel. Well, that was at least the concept. Teresa gladly stepped up onto the platform, and I tightened cuffs around her wrists and ankles.

"Does that feel snug?"

"Oh yes, I'm not getting free from these." She giggled.

"Good Funny that How helpless you can be when you are all tied up"

I watched her face, waiting for the penny to drop and the 'oh shit!' moment. There it was, followed closely by her frantic tugging at the cuffs.

"Now Jane What I did to you, it was just a joke"

"Ha Ha" I stated dryly.

"Jane Please"

Her eyes widened as I pushed the trolley into view. It was loaded with pies, cakes, jugs and buckets.

"Oh fuck!"

"Later high wire girl If you are very lucky!"

"Now Let's get on with the rehearsal, shall we? You see I think you need to experience how this will go. It will start with me pushing this pie into your face"

The blueberry cream pie looked delicious, with its thick, gooey layers of cream and jam. It sunk into her features, the tin plate dropping to the floor leaving the crust on her face, just a hole where her nose had breached the crust. I followed it up with two chocolate banana pies. Slapping them hard into the sides of her head.

I stepped back as gravity did its job, the three pies sliding from her head as she shook.

"Oh, your lovely hair, it needs a shampoo" Teresa had the most beautiful curly brunette locks. I popped the lid on the gallon jug of golden syrup and poured. The glacially slow flood of sticky syrup coated her hair, matting it to her head and oozing down her cream covered face and chest.

Next were two more pies Left and right for her pert little breasts. From the equally pert nipples, I could see this was something which she was enjoying. I pulled open her crop top and poured an ice-cold milkshake into her sports bra. She swore as the cold mass filled the cups.

"Oh, is that too cold? You'll hate this then!"

Her face when I brought out the jugs of slush. We sold gallons of this icy, sugary drink. She pleaded as I tugged open her leggings and started to fill them to bursting first with blue raspberry and then with cola flavour. She was being so unladylike; I learnt a few new swearwords in her native Italian. It was for that reason I felt she deserved the wedgie I gave her, grabbing the back of her thong and pulling hard.

However, I felt she needed warming up. From the concession stand, I had brought a bucket of leftover, warm nacho cheese. I started to pour this into her already budging leggings. The Lycra stretched almost to bursting. I had to pour most of the bucket over her head where it coated her in the evil-smelling sauce.

A gallon each of chocolate and raspberry sauces from the ice cream stand covered her in sticky, gooey slime before I dropped a huge box of sprinkles on top.

"You know, you look good enough to eat!" I winked, stepping towards her and pulling down her leggings and thong. Kneeling on the padded platform I was able to reach my tongue into her slit, whereas the mixed flavour of cheese and slush was not pleasant, her reaction to my attention was delicious. Her knees buckled as she came hard, squirting on my face.

I stepped back, wiping my face with a towel.

"You are a very tasty girl" I giggled. "But I still think there needs to be a bit more punishment going on here."

I pulled out two buckets of thick black treacle. She shuddered, pleading with me to stop but it was to no avail. She was soon nothing more than a shiny black blob, dripping onto the platform.

"Well, if that was the tar We need some feathers"

I had wondered about getting feathers to ape those worn by some of the performers, but instead had found a discarded sack of popcorn.

"Did I show you what else this prop can do?"

I hit a button and the wall started to rotate slowly. As she spun, I tossed handfuls of popped corn which clung to the glue-like molasses. She was soon unrecognisable.

I hit the stop button as she was hanging upside down, explaining I didn't want the toy I was going to put between her legs falling out, as I gently pushed the vibrator, she had used on me into her snatch.

It was a sight to behold, a shuddering popcorn monster who eventually cried out in ecstasy. I turned her by hand back to an upright position.

"Right I have things to do I'll let you get free, just as you did for me"

I ignored her cries as I left the tent

***

Of course, I'm not totally cruel, I released her after I had time to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee and even scrubbed her back in the shower. She had reciprocated and we were soon kissing and making out under the hot water.

We were both waiting in the caravan when Francis returned that evening and, between us, ensured he had a wonderful time with me lapping at Teresa's mound as he took me from behind and us both kissing and sucking every inch of his body until we fell asleep together.

***

I would like to say that revenge ended there. However, it was not to be. As I had dressed for my act a couple of days later, I had been irritated, my skin seemed to be itchy all over and my quim was on fire. I was preparing to enter the ring when Teresa stepped behind me.

"You look fidgety there girl!"

"What the hell have you done?" I writhed, desperate to scratch.

"Moi?"

It was then she showed me the box of itching powder, maximum strength it said as if there were levels of discomfort, but this was driving me insane. I heard our music playing. I was going out of my mind and shoved past Francis, ran into the ring and dived headfirst into the vat of batter. Even the circus band missed a beat, Francis stood shocked.

As I emerged, albeit to gales of laughter, I could see Teresa peering through the curtain laughing.

Touche' girl Touche.


7. The Accident

It was a very average Wednesday afternoon matinee. We had performed and I had showered and was waiting backstage for the final parade. Teresa was performing her high wire act, something she did three times a day, every day. I was in my own world, daydreaming of what to make for dinner or what we could do after the last show when the band struck up playing Stars and Stripes Forever. I froze. Most people would recognise the tune; however, it was seldom played in the circus. Tradition dictated that it would only ever be played if there was an emergency. I had been told of its circus name, The Disaster March.

I leapt up; other performers were before me running for the ring. As I breached the curtain Francis stopped me.

"No! Stay back"

I shoved him aside. There, lying on the ring floor was Teresa. The crowd were screaming now, there were wails and cries of anguish. She had fallen from the wire, landing on the hard surface. I ran to her but was held back. The ringmaster was asking for calm, asking the audience to slowly leave the big top.

***

The cup of coffee had gone cold some hours before, I sat beside Francis, the walls of the waiting room lined with medical posters. Teresa had been rushed to the local hospital. Nobody would tell us what was happening so we had sat, in a pallid silence waiting for news.

"Hello, you came in with Teresa Gallo?"

"Yes, how is she?"

The doctor explained that she had been seriously injured which caused me to burst into tears. She had broken several bones and had been in a lot of pain. She was resting now and had been given a large dose of painkillers so we couldn't see her. He promised we could return in the morning.

I had gone back with Francis and had sobbed myself to sleep.

***

The next day I had a few hours before the matinee so I rushed to the hospital. Teresa was lying in bed; she had a collar around her neck and she looked miserable. I burst into tears again when I saw her, I had promised I would be strong, but had lost it immediately.

She couldn't remember the accident, but it seemed, from what I had been told, a piece of rigging had failed under tension, she never stood a chance.

We talked, but she was in pain. The doctors had told her that she may not walk again, let alone perform.

I was devastated.

***

We had to move on.

The life of the circus meant that, even though my heart was tied to the girl I loved, we had to physically move to a new city. I tried to see her when I could, but the schedule was so tight and it meant that I was borrowing a car or a van on our rare days off to see her.

She was slowly improving, but it was clear it would be many months before she could return to any form of normality.

***

"Jane!"

I ran to the caravan. Francis looked excited; his phone was in his hand.

"She's coming back to us."

I was delighted, I hugged and kissed him. Teresa would be returning to us in the next town. I could take the ringmaster's car and collect her as we packed up and moved on. In that night's show, I was walking on air. Lapping up the audience applause.

It was two days later that I collected Teresa, she was walking with a crutch, but still walking. I daren't ask about her act, I was just pleased to have her back in the family.

As she walked into the big top, she was embraced by everyone. Of course, we all thought the same thing, she couldn't work with a crutch, and there was no place for her if she wasn't performing. It seemed cruel but it was the way it was.

I didn't know what to do There had to be a solution.

8. Concessions Made

I was walking through the audience carrying a tray of ice creams and candies. It was the life of the circus, you had to do any and every role. As I approached the woman in the ringside seat, I knew she would be trouble.

"Ices' madam?"

"No Go away!"

Oh I thought. How rude. I was only doing my job.

"I am sorry." I turned around, accidentally tipping the tray and dropping an open ice cream in her lap. She screamed. The audience around us fell silent.

"You stupid girl!" She yelled at me.

"I am so sorry"

"You are stupid" The woman paused. "Actually yes, I will buy something."

"Yes madam."

"I'll have ice cream."

"Yes madam." I smiled and handed her the large tub, before turning to move on.

"You! Stupid girl. This is melted!"

"I am sorry?"

"Stupid girl!" The woman flung the melted ice cream at my chest, the sloppy mess slithered down my top. "And, I wanted toppings!" She shoved me down so I fell onto the ring-fence, grabbing the bottles of ice cream topping from my tray she squirted them into my face. I was covered in chocolate and strawberry sauces.

I gasped. The audience, who, by now were transfixed also gasped.

"Anything else, Madam?" I asked in a defeated tone.

"Yes I'll have nachos"

I shuddered as I handed her the oversized tub of melted cheese with chips dipped into it. She leaned forward and tipped the stinking mess over my head. It dribbled down my neck and coated my hair.

"Is that all madam?" I squeaked.

"No Is this popcorn buttered?"

I nodded and she grabbed the bucket of melted butter. She gestured for me to stand up and turn around. Pulling out my waistband she proceeded to fill my leggings with slippery butter before commanding me to sit down. I won't say where most of that warm liquid ended up, but I knew I would be slithering about for days.

"Would you like a free topping, madam?"

To be honest, I was so thrown by what had happened I was on autopilot and was offering the topping I had forgotten to offer with her ice cream. She took the box and covered my sticky hair with hundreds and thousands.

I stood up. Cheese, butter and ice cream dripping from me, totally humiliated and slithered my way out of the audience.

I had to be quick, I only had a few minutes to shower. The evil cow Teresa had added melted butter to the tray, I had sworn when I saw it sat there. However, as a pre-show attraction the snooty madam always shocked and delighted the audience, and, Teresa was a natural clown at heart!

***

She hobbled backstage after the show giggling.

"Your face!"

"Butter! Oh, you bitch I couldn't wash it off in time"

I hugged her. It was great to have her back. Maybe we didn't have a high wire act, however, the reviews we were getting for the clown performances more than made up for it. And, as it was the end of the season approaching, we had a few months for her to get fit and rehearse with her as our newest addition to the clown family.

However, I made her promise, when she was fitter, we were taking it in turns to do the concession gag, and I was going to find some tasty treats for her.

Sour cream and Guacamole anyone?

9. Enter, The Gladiators

The band strike up Entry of the Gladiators. The tune makes me come alive every time I hear it. I hug Francis and Tre and we are almost ready. The ringmaster steps out to announce the show and seconds after I stumble on as if lost.

Of course, he looks cross. Asking me to leave before calling for security, and there they are. Dressed as police officers, Francis and Teresa. Will I come quietly? Of course not, they try to cuff me, accidentally cuffing each other together, pratfalling and cartwheeling. Oh, she has become so strong during the closed season.

Roy and Steve step into the ring carrying pies, they try to hit me but I duck at the last second and they flan each other. There is chaos.

I turn to run, not seeing the vat which has been pushed into the ring. I hit the padded edge falling headlong with a massive splash in the batter before appearing again, a white blob. I try to step out but slip and fall. Teresa steps up to help me, I grab her hand and drag her into the thick batter.

We wrestle in the ooze before Roy and Steve rush on with a tarpaulin cover. We soon are covered, lying in the mess as it is pushed from the ring.

As for what we do alone in there together Well, that's our secret, but we don't need to get out until the interval.

You know what, Francis was right. I do have sawdust in my blood.