Sheila (2023) by Scottish born Australian writer, Pamela Morrison, begins with unusual twist on the foundling story.

Sheila Bell Rattray (1925-1997) began life as a tiny bundle being dropped off at her father’s house in Scotland. Unbeknown to her father’s wife, Agnes, who took the baby in and gently cared for her, Sheila was the result of an adulterous relationship between her husband, David Bell, & a woman who worked for her husband, Margaret Rattray.

Sheila was Pamela’s mother and Pamela’s book, Sheila (2023), is the story of her mother’s life.

After 3 years in foster care, Sheila spent the rest of her childhood with her father, David Bell, who was brutal.

Sheila and her family migrated from Edinburgh to Adelaide in South Australia, arriving in October 1965.