I waited 60 YEARS to meet my FAMILY
Woman & Home UK|August 2023
Bestselling author Lesley Pearse is still unravelling the threads of her troubled childhood because of a cruel decision made on her behalf
Lesley Pearse
I waited 60 YEARS to meet my FAMILY

Fact is often stranger than fiction. My family story certainly is. In January 1948, when I was three years old, my mother died of septicaemia following a miscarriage. She lay dead for three days before anyone realised something was amiss - my dad was away, and it wasn't until a neighbour spotted me and my five-year-old brother Michael in the snow with no coats on that the alarm was raised.

Dad, a sergeant in the Royal Marines, couldn't look after us on his own and tried to get a housekeeper to help at our home in Rochester, Kent, but that didn't work. The Catholic Church stepped in and, in their wisdom, separated us, sending Michael to an orphanage in Gloucester and me to one in London.

Dad was determined to get us back and so married Hilda, an ex-Army nurse, in 1951, a marriage of convenience, so that Michael and I could be brought home. There was also Selina, Hilda's nine-year-old foster child, and not long afterwards, Paul was adopted. We three older kids were a little team, and we all adored our baby brother.

Needing answers

But Hilda was a cold mother. She was in charge and we didn't see much of Dad, who'd left the Marines but worked long hours at the Post Office.

I remember the moment I had my first pang of curiosity about my mother and my past. It was Coronation Day in June 1953. I was eight years old and we were watching the ceremony at a neighbour's house. A woman there made a comment about how tragic it was that my mother's family from Ireland had not attended her funeral or tried to help us poor kids.

I asked my stepmother about what I'd heard but she just snorted. I had the distinct impression I shouldn't ask again. But in private, I often wondered about my Irish roots and my mother. All I knew was that she came from a large Catholic family in Roscommon, and that she had a sister named Anne.

Bu hikaye Woman & Home UK dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Woman & Home UK dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

WOMAN & HOME UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks
Woman & Home UK

15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks

Hunting for your reading glasses only to realise they’re already on your head is frustrating, and we’ve all marched purposefully from one room to another – instantly forgetting why we’re there. Maybe you’re forever losing your keys or get embarrassed when you can’t remember people’s names? Memory lapse is common with age – decline can start from as early as 45 years*, while almost 40%** of people over 65 will notice some form of forgetfulness.

time-read
4 dak  |
October 2024
How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
Woman & Home UK

How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition

The microbiome will be host to both good and harmful bacteria, and the swing in favour of one or the other can influence whether or not you fall victim to conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and other inflammatory disorders or hormonal issues. These include polycystic ovary syndrome and high cholesterol, as well as what we might consider more common ailments like digestive issues, mood swings, constipation, migraines and general lethargy. The power that a healthy gut can wield over our wellbeing is enormous. And just like no two fingerprints are the same, no two microbiomes are the same.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Woman & Home UK

Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient

Working as a consultant breast surgeon, it was my responsibility to tell around 10 women a week that they had cancer. It was an emotionally intense job and could feel like you’re being paid to break women. As a clinician, you have to develop a sense of detachment, otherwise you’ll crumble, but this wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, particularly after seeing young women, I’d cry in the toilets. There’s no counselling and very little training for breaking bad news. It’s just part of the job – until it happens to you.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Woman & Home UK

I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra

Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra+ Katherine Ryan's tour Battleaxe is coming to venues across the UK from September. Book now at livenation.co.uk

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish
Woman & Home UK

'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish

Nadiya Hussain cover shoots bring sunshine – meteorologically and metaphorically. It’s a scorching June day in north London when we gather to celebrate the publication of her ninth cookbook, Cook Once, Eat Twice. As the title suggests, she’s helping the nation save time and pennies through meal-stretching recipes that savvily spin leftovers.And sweetly, it was the celebrity cook and author’s eldest son Musa’s plans to leave the family home in Milton Keynes to go off to university that inspired it.‘As soon as he started to talk about uni, I thought, “This will be the book that he’ll want to take with him to help him be more mindful of how he cooks, how he eats, how he saves, how to be frugal and how to use up leftovers – how to be smart in the kitchen,”’ explains Nadiya, 39, adding that the previous night her trusty sardine arrabbiata sparked an outpouring of gratitude from her firstborn.

time-read
8 dak  |
October 2024
A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
Woman & Home UK

A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list

The Princess of Wales has always felt the pressure. Marrying into the most famous family in the world has been far from easy, but capable Catherine seemed to take it in her stride.Though the glamorous carapace, whether decked in Alexander McQueen or Zara, has hidden a more anxious young woman who didn't want to put a foot wrong. This past year has arguably been the toughest of Catherine's life - dealing with major abdominal surgery followed by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. But it has also given her the time to reprioritise and reassess what really matters.

time-read
4 dak  |
October 2024
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Woman & Home UK

'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'

Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
Woman & Home UK

Freewheeling in TUSCANY

A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
Nostalgic BAKES
Woman & Home UK

Nostalgic BAKES

Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats

time-read
3 dak  |
October 2024
Lighter DINNERS
Woman & Home UK

Lighter DINNERS

Big on flavour and easy on the calories

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024