~ A True Friend ~

Gracie did not take her harp to a party she made a new friend, loyal and devoted to the very end. Nell Whitwell was twenty and Gracie sixteen before she rose to fame, when she reached the top of the ladder Nell was treated just the same. With a hug and a kiss whenever they met, over sixty years of friendship firmly set.

~ Seventh Heaven ~

People flocked to the summer fete with Gracie Fields they had a date. She was selling items from a stall, a great delight to one and all. When completely sold out she offered her hat for ten pounds and bought another for four and eleven, the lucky recipient was in seventh heaven.

~ Thoughts of Allsorts ~

Gracie was travelling in a taxi the driver heading south, she had a bag of liquorice allsorts and frequently popped one in his mouth. Thoughts of an accident did not appeal, she insisted he kept his hands on the wheel.

~ A Brief Affair ~

John Flanagan was an artist the writer Henry Savage shared his home, just a humble studio as they were constantly on the roam. To Gracie it was sheer bliss, she had never known such peace as this. So different from life with Archie Pitt grandeur she did not like one bit. She fell in love with John and he loved her too, but living on her income he would never do. Her fame and riches frightened him as she was eager to spend her money on his every whim. His pictures made only a fraction of her wealth and he was not in the best of health. For this reason she enticed him to Capri, alas he could not settle anywhere he had to be free. Sadly they parted and did not meet again, Gracie found solace in her career which gradually eased the pain. 

~ The Knife Thrower ~

Gracie stood against the wall while a man was throwing knives, he assured her his act did not endanger lives, He threw to the left, he threw to the right and only a fraction above her head, Gracie wished she was standing on stage instead. When near her shoulder the last knife had gone, she said "Take it easy lad I've got me new dress on."

~ Mary Davey ~

I remember a lass from Blackburn her name was Mary, she became a companion help to Gracie Fields and was not at all contrary. She typed her letters dressed her hair and travelled with her everywhere. She nursed her when she had a cold, and enjoyed cooking and sewing I am told. A perfect treasure true blue, whatever she was asked she would always do. Mary Barratt married Leon Davey during the Second World War but never neglected Gracie she was genuine to the core. Such loyalty I could not overlook when writing the verses for this book.