I am half way through the second Helen Forrester autobiography,

I am all out of sympathy for the mother. She is a cruel selfish grifter, sending begging letters for children's clothes to all her old friends, her daughter's friends and friends of friends.

Then when she gets the clothes , much much needed clothes, she pawns them and uses the money to buy cigarettes.

The children are dressed in filthy rags.

To top it off she mocks Helen for being filthy and ragged, poorly educated and unemployable. This is unforgiveable.

But there are two bright spots.

Because the children were told to look after each other they did and grew up close and supportive of each other.

All the children could read and write and had access to books.

This meant they were able to heed advice regarding education and take advantage of opportunity.