Lilian's new outfit arrived today. I was a little upset by the socks (they're huge) but I'm pleased with the rest of the outfit.
Lilian is a school girl during the 1940s. Hurt and confused, she looks for solace in fairytale books, her means of escape. She speaks several languages and although she can read at a high level, she prefers the comfort of children's stories.
She has moved around a lot in the past 15 years of life. But since the war has stayed in a country house in Shropshire. She desperately misses her family and the company of others, but has such a vivid sense of resourcefulness that she created her own imaginary friend, Akiko.
..Akiko was the child of a Japanese mother and British Father. Being mixed race she had few friends herself. But when her cousin came to live in Yamagata with her, she soon found fleeting happiness. They were both 8 years old, lost and alone, but had such a strong bond that they felt nothing could separate them.
Then the war started. The family was split up. Alliances between loved ones were broken. Akiko was devastated when she found out her cousin was moving back to Europe.
She missed Lilian for the rest of her short life.
Now, 7 years later, Lilian still dreams of Akiko. She is still the 8 year old girl she remembers. Akiko lives on in Lilian's imagination. Her favourite fairytale is The Pied Piper of Hamelin - she often feels like the lame child left behind, that Akiko has followed the Piper into the cave, never to be seen again. She reads the book over and over hoping for a happy ending. Perhaps the last page was ripped out.. Perhaps they find the children.. or perhaps the children went to a better more beautiful land.. Lilian still hopes.
(This is my first bit of story I've ever had the guts to post. I wish to add more, and more photos of Lilian and Akiko together. Please be kind..)
Her outfit looks great on her, definitely getting a 40's vibe there. And those tiny books are too cool!
