Middle strands and possible ending: Sue

Middle bits and strands

Charlotte and Martin have come to terms with the realisation that their circus life has almost brought them full circle. Skills the circus wants and needs are ones that they excelled at in their old lives – organising, planning, running workshops, teaching, dealing with paperwork, finances and bureaucracy.

They are happy to be accepted and valued in their circus community. They love the freedom of travelling and of living an alternative lifestyle. They no longer take on interim work as they are committed to their “new” life.

Martin is increasingly asked to stand in for the ringmaster and circus owner, Alex who wants to retire. The circus has expanded; bookings and takings are up.

Their real life families, over the years, have accepted that this is what makes Charlotte and Martin happy but communication has been difficult. Contact has recently increased, as Martin’s Mother has heart problems, so they have visited her in hospital and taken time out from the circus to care for her.

Lila, in the sub plot, has run away from the circus and is happily employed as a traveller liaison officer in Somerset, where she has settled and enjoys life in the “real world”; she has sporadic contact with Alex, and with Charlotte who helped her escape from circus life and enabled her to pursue her dreams. Alex misses his (only) daughter and has never come to terms with her decision to leave the circus.

Climax  

Martin’s Mother dies, he was not there at her death, feels guilty that she died alone and that he did not do enough to support her.

Martin and Charlotte think about how their current life will pan out in their old age.

Martin feels that he should provide Charlotte with a more secure and stable future; Charlotte has an opposite reaction, wanting to make the most of life whilst they are fit and able. They go back to old arguments about lifestyles, norms, stability, freedom, expectations and obligations, financial security and agreement to a middle way.

Martin has been bequeathed the family house and has to decide what to do with it.

Alex sets out to persuade Lila to take over from him when he retires, Lila resists.

 Immediate Outcomes

Martin decides to rent the house and keep it as a pension plan and secure asset. Charlotte is angry at Martin’s decision, as she wants him to sell the house and persuade Alex to let them invest in the circus in return for them becoming part owners, or taking a share of the increased profits.

Lila is persuaded, against her initial wishes but in the interests of doing the right thing, to accept her natural inheritance, take over from Alex and keep the circus in the family. Alex signs over the circus to Lila who is welcomed back with open arms and becomes increasingly convinced she has made the “right” choice, despite feeling somewhat unhappy in her new role. 

Alex is concerned at her lack of recent experience and keeps interfering, unable to let go. Both he and Lila increasingly turn to Martin and Charlotte as sources of advice and arbitrators of clashing decisions.

 Denouement

Lila and Alex ask Charlotte and Martin if they would be prepared to buy them out and take over the circus.

Martin and Charlotte agree, but only if they can take over completely and change the circus family name to theirs. They sell the house to invest in the circus.

Alex takes his proceeds from the sale, which fund his retirement and opens up opportunities of a new life beyond the confines of the circus.

Lila happily stays with the circus, taking on educational workshop planning and community liaison roles, working alongside Charlotte and Martin to combine, build upon and share their collective skills and experiences in and outside the ring.

 Wrapping up

Stunning, final end paragraph/sentences yet to be written!