A few minutes later they could feel the train beginning to slow again. A cacophony of strange animal noises filled the carriage. The curtains came to life again as the train rumbled into The South Circus station. They were hit with a surge of colour and activity as they pulled up. They ground to a halt opposite a pink and white striped train that was being loaded with all sorts of fantastical creatures and characters.

The platform was a hive of activity. Literally. A line of five purple and orange striped bees, each the size of a cow, flew past them and in through the open window of the stationary train opposite, barely squeezing through the gap and buzzing loudly with irritation. Two grooms were struggling with a pair of mint-green horses with necks like giraffes. The arriving train had spooked them, and they raised up on their hind legs, nearly knocking over a lady with gold-coloured skin, wrapped in a silver toga, who was at least eight feet tall. She avoided the hooves and stooped low to enter her carriage, banging her head on the door frame as she passed. Two young girls were riding a pair of immense tigers along the platform whilst standing barefoot, and perfectly balanced, on the backs of the huge beasts. The tigers were blue and white striped and reminded Isla of toothpaste. There were fire-breathers and stilt-walkers, jugglers and sword swallowers, dancers and daredevils, all clamouring for a spot on the departing train. A group of acrobats were loading the goods compartment by cartwheeling, handstanding and forward rolling with scores of brightly coloured and weirdly shaped boxes, cages and crates flying and spinning between them.