Five Decades of Elizabeth Pargetter
At 50th birthday party there will be music from every decade of her life (thanks to a playlist crafted by her daughter ).
In case Lily is in need of any inspiration (she was only born in 1999!), here are five suggestions for that playlist.
Each one is inspired by a significant moment from Elizabeth's life so far.
1967-1977
Baby, Now That I Found You by The Foundations
On 21 April 1967 Elizabeth was born at home but then had to be rushed to hospital. Surgical investigation found she had a hole in her heart as well as a narrowed valve. She didn’t come home until June. She now has an implant which helps to regulate her heartbeat.
1977-1987
When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean
After failing the exams for Borchester Grammar, Elizabeth became a boarder at Cherrington School. By the time she got to the sixth form she’d had enough of school and was expelled after being caught skiving in a pub.
She finished her education at Borchester Tech (now Borchester College).
She got an E in English Literature and failed Environmental Science.
1987-1997
Walking On Broken Glass by Annie Lennox
At 24 years old Elizabeth became entangled with the 42-year-old, rich and charming Cameron Fraser. Initially, all the pursuing was done by Elizabeth but Cameron later competed with Nigel for her attention.
Drawn in by Cameron’s tale of being unloved, Elizabeth was smitten. In 1992 she became pregnant. Cameron wasn’t thrilled. Nevertheless, they decided to go on holiday. But at a motorway service station on the way to the airport, Cameron deserted Elizabeth. He never returned and Elizabeth had an abortion.
1997-2007
Family Affair by Mary J Blige
Now and ensconced in life at Lower Loxley, Elizabeth gave birth to twins in 1999. She had to be closely monitored because of the stress the twins’ arrival put on her heart.
With Lily and Freddie at the forefront of her mind, Elizabeth took offence at her parents’ plan to hand over Brookfield to David and Ruth. As family negotiations rumbled on, Elizabeth dug her heels in. It took a near-death experience (due to her heart) to make her eventually concede.
2007-2017
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. by Noah and the Whale
Elizabeth’s life turned on a sixpence on 2 January 2011 when Nigel, her husband of 16 years, fell to his death from the roof of Lower Loxley. Since then she has single-handedly run the stately home’s business while raising the twins.
While some men have come into the frame, the most notable being her employee at the time, , Elizabeth is yet to find a new life partner. With her children fast becoming fully-grown adults, could there be room for someone else in Elizabeth’s life as she enters her sixth decade?
