The Greatest Showman One Shot

"I'm sorry I cannot," you said softly, picking up the basket of washing you were taking to pin up on the line, your baby having taken a place amongst the clothing, making it easier to take her with you into the shared garden that many families shared.

"You have a talent unlike any other," he stated.

You placed your basket down under the section of line that you were allowed to use. Placing a hand on your hip, you stared the man in the eyes, him clearly not taking your no for an answer.

"Mr Carlyle, I have to decline your offer as I did when I last spoke to you and Mr Barnum. Do not consider me ungrateful, I understand your offer is something only a few will find but I am not a woman of the stage. My place is not that of a performer. I do not wish to sully the good name of your business with the employment of a single mother," you said in barely above a whisper, nervous of the man and turning down his offer.

A week prior, you had met Mr Carlyle and his colleague Mr Barnum at the house you worked. You were a maid for a rich man and his wife who had kept you employed after your husband left you for a woman of status. You were turning down one of the spare bedrooms, singing a song that your mother had sung to you as a child, when they overheard, being friends of your employer. They offered you a job as a singer at their new circus, however you'd never sung in front of anyone before. Simply knowing the two men had heard you had made your heart stop.

"You are not someone whom would make news for our establishment, believe me, we employ those who once thought they were unemployable. There'd be no issue with your daughter being there, Mr Barnum's daughters are commonly there too with their mother," he offered trying to be friendly and to continue to pry into any reasons why you were turning down the offer.

"Please sir. It is one thing discussing such a wild topic in my place of work due to your friendship with my employer, however this is my home. I wish not to take your offer. I am grateful for it, but I work everyday to keep my daughter fed and to keep the roof overhead," you explained.

Of course, singing was a passion of yours, and you'd much rather find a career in that than cleaning someone else's home. However, you could no longer think about yourself, you could only focus on what was best for your infant daughter and how you could provide for her.

"You'd be paid a steady wage," he stated. "If the show couldn't provide enough revenue, I'd pay you from my own pocket if I must. Your talent deserves to be heard."

You let out a sigh. You'd never performed in front of anyone and the thought of being in the spotlight made your legs shake.

"Mr Carlyle, I cannot."

"Why?"

Putting the sheet, you were about to hang up back into the basket, you turned back to him, scared to tell him the truth but there wasn't anyway to get him to leave you alone without telling him the truth.

"I'm too scared."

"Is stage fright the only thing stopping you?" He questioned.

"Yes," you nodded. "I'd be happier not cleaning, and I'd like to be able to provide a better life for her, but I cannot sing in front of anyone. I struggle to sing my daughter to sleep at night."

He shook his head with a gentle laugh. "Do not worry Y/N. Once I'm done with you, you'll be confident enough to perform in front of the whole country."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.

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