Oh how she loved the pictures. The romance, the excitement, the sheer utter fantasy of it all combined to make her feel alive in a way that her hum drum life at the local factory failed so dismally to do. She could stare at Tyrone Power, Clarke Gable and the likes all day if only life would allow it. In the dimly lit theatre with the silver screen shining down on her young upturned face Lisa felt as if it was her that Tyrone Power was holding in his arms. She would float away into her imaginary land and wish that one day her Prince truly would come and take her away from this monotonous existence. But, the screen would fade the lights would come on and she would come back down to reality with a bang.

From eight o'clock to six o'clock Monday to Friday she worked at The Libro, the local tobacco factory. The smoke from its chimneys clogged her throat and clung to her clothes long after she left work. It seemed to permeate into every fibre of her being. It was only at the cinema that Lisa seemed to be able to escape from the muck and grime that surrounded her. Not long enough to forget but long enough to give herself a vivid imagination and a sense that there was more to life than the one that she led.

She left the warmth of the picture house and entered the cold dark streets. It was a Friday evening and already the streets were crowded with people out on the town. They pushed her along, jostling against her as she tried to make her way to the bus stop. It began to rain and Lisa turned the collar of her mac up trying to stop the water trickling down her back. In less than a minute the light shower had quickly turned in to a torrent. Lisa began to run and seeing a shop doorway she ran towards it thinking to herself she would shelter there until the rain subsided.

Lisa stopped suddenly as she approached the doorway realising that there was already someone in residence. Feeling the rain becoming heavier and trusting the fact that the streets, even with this downpour, were still littered with people she decided that she would still use it as a refuge. It was a big enough door way not to feel too hemmed in and she stepped inside. She heard the strike of match and for a brief instance saw a handsome face staring back at her. Lisa felt the blood rush to her face and was glad when once again the darkness enveloped her.
'What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?'� His voice was deep and rich, and Lisa found herself giggling foolishly at his remark.
'Oh, trying to keep out of the rain!'� She said lamely in the end.
'I'm glad you chose this particular doorway.'� Lisa felt her heart melt at his words. 'And your name?'� He said to her.
'Lisa. Lisa Hamilton.'�
'Nice to meet you, Lisa. Eddie Kelly at your service!'�

Eddie Kelly. Dock worker by day heart breaker by night. His hero's consisted of Marlon Brando and Jimmy Dean. He had the leather jacket, the cigarette perched precariously on his lips and the slouch to prove it. Lisa to him was Natalie Wood in need of protection and he was just the man to do it. They were soon courting strong. Snuggled on the back seat of the pictures they caught glimpses of their favourite films in between their kissing sessions. To Lisa her prince had materialised out of a rain soaked night. Eventually they married and Lisa felt that the glimmer and glitter of Hollywood had showered her with its magic and transported her into its world.

When Lisa discovered she was pregnant her life seemed complete. Eddie was over the moon and treated Lisa as if she was a china doll, not letting her lift a finger. Three more children followed. Lisa and Eddie played their part to perfection she as doting mother and housewife and he as the strict but caring father. As the years passed Lisa still saw Eddie as the young man she had met on that rainy cold night. He still said his corny one liners such as, 'Here's looking at you kid'� and they still had the ability to make Lisa laugh.

Their eldest daughter Ellie believed she was the height of sophistication and would look at her parents with a mixture of love and embarrassment. Ellie loved her parent but like most teenagers wished they were a bit more cool and hip. Ellie would sigh to herself. Her mother's idea of a big night out was going down the local bingo and as for her father! He had the beer belly of all beer bellies but still wore a leather jacket and had his hair greased back like some kind of overweight Cliff Richard. Ellie cringed at their jokes. Sometimes she would find them kissing and canoodling as if they were some love struck teenagers. Ellie would feel her face go red and would have to leave the room in shame.

Ellie sought sanctuary in her bedroom. She would settle comfortably on to her bed and would open the latest book she was reading. As the pages flipped over she saw far and foreign climes. She sailed the sea and crossed the oceans, fell in love and had her heart broken. The small terraced house could not hold her and neither would this narrow town. By hook or by crook she would see herself out of it. She was Jane Eyre and Scarlet O'Hara rolled into one. She was an independent women, the flirt of the century. Her imagination knew no bounds. Ellie tutted to herself, she could not understand her parents she was so unlike them it was unbelievable.

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