narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

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  Madge was a character in a league of her own. A sassy woman in her eighties, she had a heart of gold. She had always worn her own very unique hairstyle, her mop of curls being messily piled high atop her head. Born a red-head (and with a temperament to match), she refused ever to be grey. Oddly perhaps to some, the red colour only deepened year by year till now it was a deep burgundy.

  This lady wore her deep wrinkles like a badge of honour. She had earned them! She highlighted them using dark red lipstick, rouge and black eye-brow pencil. Then she carefully framed it all with an emerald green head-band of lace and sequins.

  Her frock, too, was emerald green and lacy. It was adorned with an over-sized, brightly coloured enamelled broach.

  Madge had been in Goolmangar to bury her ‘little’ brother. He was her last remaining relative. Neither of them had married or felt the need of family.

  The funeral attended and her brother’s house and belongings sorted, Madge was now heading back to the comfort of her own world.