Introduction

What you are about to read is true. It is not for the faint-hearted, because this is an autobiography of a woman who reached an emotional crossroads in her life far from home but took the opportunity to review what had brought her to that uncertain point.

It is an uncompromising and revealing look at a life torn apart by her desire for love and affection, thrown into contrast by the cruelty and callousness of people she depended on. As such it contains the light of hope but it has also dives into a darkness most of us could never contemplate.

'A Bent Penny' certainly sums it up.

Penny Lee -- not her real name, but that should properly remain secret -- was approaching 40 when she wrote this from her small home in Spain. She circulated it to a small number of friends of which I was honoured to be included. I never met Penny in real life but she struck me as a warm-hearted and engaging person in our email exchanges. She ran a blog, long since lost, which reflected her ability as a writer and provided entertainment and humour to a good number of people. I initially got to know Penny through some of her stories and because I like good writing I quickly appreciated she had a considerable talent for conveying ideas and telling stories. I am happy to say that this ability shines through her recounting of own life, despite all its troubles and agonies.

It is foolish to classify people by labels but it would be fair to say Penny was sexually adventurous and definitely bisexual. As her life progressed her preference for women came through more but behind it all she had a predilection for young girls. It was an attraction that gave her a lot of pleasure but took her on a life path fraught with anxiety and even risk.

This life story stands as a memorial to a woman who deserved far more than she ever got from life. I would ask you to read it without prejudice but equally I would ask you to read it because here was a writer who could write very well, and that is no small ability. She deserves to be remembered for all the good things she was and did.

Our lives would have been enriched if we could have seen more of her talent.

Next Chapter: Preface