My skin prickles. ‘What even is the darkest possible dark?’ My breath feels tight just saying the words. ‘What’s the test involve?’

‘You’ll find out. If you actually manage to pass the first test.’

We reach the circus camp and I hurry ahead of Sylvie, shorts flapping wetly against my thighs.

Dad and Uncle Vince are outside the store tent. Vince is saying ‘… and Mum would love nothing more than to get her hands on Tulsi. I won’t …’ Then he spots me. ‘Tuls!’ he says, and pulls me into a hug.

He’s still wearing part of his costume: shimmery gold pants and boots. He smells sugary and a bit sweaty and I lean into his comforting frame. He’s the solid rock our circus rests on, the one who keeps our spirits up when times are tough.

‘Oh, you’re soaked,’ he says as he lets me go. What does he mean that Sylvie wants to get her hands on me? Before I can ask, Uncle Vince inhales sharply and his body stiffens. ‘Hello, Sylvie,’ he says in a cool voice.

‘Vincent!’ she says brightly. ‘I see you’re ringmaster now. Big boss, huh?’

‘Just ringmaster,’ he says quietly. He reaches into his pocket and splits open a pistachio. The sound of him chewing is loud in the silence.

‘I could do a few tricks in the show,’ says Sylvie. ‘If you like.’ Her fancy hairdo is squashed and her clothes are soaking wet but she stands as straight and square-shouldered as if she’s centre stage. ‘I know you need to boost audiences, that you’ve got money troubles …’ How does she know that? Did Dad tell her?

‘That won’t be necessary,’ says my uncle as he throws a pistachio shell to the ground. ‘Correct me if I am wrong, Mother, but it appears you have forgotten to mention that in order to get Merry back, Tulsi will have to go – by herself – to the parallel universe where Merry ended up.’

A bolt of excitement shoots through me. I’ll have to go to a parallel universe?! How will I get there? And what will it be like? What version of her life is Mum in?

Dad’s mouth falls open and he turns to Sylvie. ‘What?!’ he exclaims. ‘You said it was just a simple spell!’

Sylvie blinks at him. ‘I never said that. You assumed. I was waiting for the right moment to mention it.’

‘Forget it.’ Dad’s voice is curt. ‘It’s not happening. I –’

‘I can do it!’ I say loudly, talking over Dad, trying to sound like I haven’t just completely messed up my first test.

Sylvie puts her hands on her hips. ‘Listen, David. Merry is trapped goddess knows where – desperate to get back – and Tulsi is our only hope of saving her. That’s why you agreed to let me teach her.’