Mina pulled away from Isabella. ‘We have to go. Isabella, I’m part of this troupe now. You don’t know what I can do. I barely know what I can do. But I’m not going to give up before I’ve even started.’
She turned and hurried out of the wagon. Isabella followed behind her, scooping up the elaborate skirts of the Inamorata costume and running to catch up.
‘Mina … Wait!’
Mina stopped, and turned back.
Isabella continued. ‘Mina, I’ve been as worried as Lisette that Uberto planned to replace one of us. I didn’t mean to be rude.’
Mina smiled. ‘Can I tell you something?’ she said. ‘If Uberto offered me a place in the troupe, and it meant one of you would lose your place, I wouldn’t take it.’
Isabella searched her eyes, then nodded. Mina grabbed Isabella’s hand and they hurried to the front
