Serial part 4
Still reeling from recent revelations, Paige faced a heartbreaking dilemma
Paige stared at the middle-aged blonde woman hovering anxiously on the doorstep. Could it be true? Was this really Izzy’s daughter and Louie’s granddaughter? She was wearing pink Dr. Martens, quirky purple leggings and a long, brightly patterned baggy shirt. But her distinctive blue-green eyes and high cheekbones looked familiar. Paige had to admit that this stranger bore a striking resemblance to the younger photos of Louie she’d seen in the album she’d discovered earlier. Did Louie even know she had a granddaughter?
‘So, can I speak to Louie?’ persisted Anthea.
‘I’m sorry to have to tell you this,’ Paige began, sadly, ‘but Louie passed away two years ago.’
It was Anthea’s turn to look shocked. ‘In that case, who are you? And what are you doing in my grandmother’s house?’ she asked, biting back a sob. Paige said, gently, ‘I think you’d better come in.’
✱ ✱ ✱ ✱
Anthea perched awkwardly on the edge of the sofa while Paige made raspberry tea. Within minutes, Dita was brushing her furry tabby body against Anthea’s legs, purring enthusiastically. Paige decided that if Dita had warmed to this woman, then that was surely a good omen.
‘Isabelle – everyone called her Izzy – had me in 1978, when she was 35,’ explained Anthea. ‘By that time, Mum had come back to the UK from Canada. I never knew who my father was. It was tough for her being a single mum, and we led a nomadic life, travelling everywhere together. Izzy could turn her hand to anything to earn money. She danced in nightclubs, worked in bars, waitressed and cooked, did driving jobs and farm work.
I admired her strength and resilience.’ She smiled. ‘Turns out I’m a lot like Mum. Maybe I inherited her free spirit.’
‘Louie was a free spirit,’ said Paige. ‘Did you know she had a successful career as a burlesque performer? She was Miss Scarlet Blue.’
