Bright posters fluttered on every lamppost: Tonight! The Sparkle & Spangle Circus! Lila and her cousin Theo followed the scent of popcorn to the giant striped tent that shimmered like a red-and-gold sunset. The calliope sang a happy tune, and the air sparkled with confetti dust. Inside the big top, sawdust felt soft under their sneakers. Lights twinkled. Ropes swooped high like spider webs made of sugar. Lila squeezed Theo's hand. "We made it," she whispered. Her toes were already tapping to a quiet beat only she could hear. Near a striped curtain marked Staff Only, a little something tumbled out of a wooden trunk-plop! It was a tiny velvet hat, the colour of ripe plums, with a tassel that shivered like a cat's whisker. The hat rolled to Lila's shoes and bumped them gently, as if it were saying hello. "Did that hat just choose you?" Theo breathed. Lila knelt. Inside the hat was a postage-stamp card, edged in gold. The words were swirly and neat: For the one who hears the drum in her toes. Before Lila could blink, a tall man with a bright red coat and a bow tie covered in stars swept the curtain aside. His top hat was taller than a teapot stack. He twirled a silver bar. "Mr. Jingles, at your service!" he sang. "Ah! My velvet hat! It never wanders without a purpose." His eyes twinkled at Lila and Theo. "Has it picked its person?" Lila held the hat carefully. "It... rolled to me," she said. Her toes thumped a tiny rhythm-tap tap, tap tap. "Splendid," said Mr. Jingles, sounding pleased and a little surprised. "Tonight we have a very special surprise. The velvet hat always knows who belongs at centre ring when the right moment comes. Would you two keep it safe until the drumroll?" He looped a purple ribbon around Lila's wrist. "Front row seats for my helpers." The tent buzzed. The show began with a whirl of colour. Pickle the clown juggled bright lemons and pretended to sneeze glitter. Button the baby elephant bowed with a shy curl of her trunk. A girl named Mira flew on the trapeze, her silver shoes sparkling like morning frost. Theo laughed so hard at Pickle's wobbly bicycle that he nearly dropped his popcorn. All the while, the velvet hat hummed ever so softly in Lila's lap-hum, hum-like a tiny drum. The purple ribbon around her wrist warmed, and her toes kept tapping, even when she tried to sit still. Then the lights dimmed. The music softened. Mr. Jingles strode into the circle of light, twirling his baton. "Ladies and gentlemen," he boomed, "for our final surprise..." A snare drum began to roll-rrrrrrrummm! The velvet hat wiggled. It wobbled. It leaped-plop!-onto Lila's head. The tassel stood straight up, pointing toward the centre ring. A bright spotlight swept over the crowd, searching. It slid across Theo's wide eyes, across Pickle's juggling clubs, across Button's glittery blanket-then stopped on Lila. Mr. Jingles smiled, the drumroll grew louder, and the whole tent held its breath as Lila's toes tingled and she rose from her seat....