Through different Eyes has now reached Chapter 6 - and Colette's activities as a teenage spy have commenced - something which perhaps seems a bit improbable. But I discovered my art was imitating life.
During my research into Brisbane in the 1960s, I came across a memoir telling the story of the family of an ASIO agent. ASIO is the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation - the Australian equivalent of MI6. Written by one of the daughters, this tells the story of how her father used his children in his ASIO activities in Brisbane.
Admittedly, this activity was principally targeting potential Chinese agents rather than those from the eastern Bloc, but I was flabbergasted that a parent would put his children into a potentially dangerous situation - unlike Col's situation where she is blackmailed and has no choice but to comply.
In case you're interested, the book is With my little Eye by Sandra Hogan and it's available on Amazon.