When the darling little mob-capped leukaemia sufferer is ready to move on from Katrina's cottage in An Innocent Bride (Ug. That title--an idea I approve on principle but when you say it that way...sheesh.), Simon tells Katrina that little Tracy will "live to a reasonable age".
Huh.
"A reasonable age".
Question: Given The Venerable Neels' propensity to kill off a lot of blonde 18-year-olds suffering from cancer...what do you think she considers 'a reasonable age'?
Betty Barbara here--
ReplyDeleteThis is a toughie. Innocent Bride came out in 1999, by which time, in real life, a number of childhood leukemias were considered curable. So if this is what our moppet had, 'reasonable age' could be 50, 60, 70.
On the other hand, another number of leukemias were merely sent into remission and could pop up again--so 'reasonable age' could be 20, maybe 30.
But hey, as pointed out, this is our Betty. So I'd go with 25 max, and not be surprised at 18.
Granted both ages are better than dying tomorrow, but I'd not call either 'reasonable'!
(Spoken from the other side of 60).
It makes it seem awfully young in the book but that doesn't stop the mom and doctor and concerned friend from popping the bubbly like everything is on track for a long, happy life.
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