Enter Anna, a young Czech woman and prospective carer, who shares a love of show tunes. When she turns up at the door, Allegra answers in full evening dress, set off by a huge straw hat with red ribbons. Elizabeth Bower’s Anna is at once tactful and forthright, fun and practical. The two women hit it off and are soon sharing life experiences. Allegra is fascinated by Anna’s busy life, listening with rapt attention to stories about her two sons (Allegra has no children) and four dogs (amusingly named John, Paul, George and Ringo).
Anna appears to be the only person on Allegra’s side in a society that seems to want to extinguish her light, even if that means drugging her. Though Ronen is skeptical about the Ritalin and Lithium the doctor has prescribed. “Allegra doesn’t have lows,” he tells Anna, “she’s endlessly happy.” While this discussion is underway, the doorbell rings. Allegra has been out gathering pastries for her guests and, on her way home, has been followed by Officer Rogers (excellent Bailey Patrick), the local bobby. He’s come to warn of complaints about her loud and endless singing all over the village, from the local shop to the library. Clueless as ever, Allegra is delighted by this man in uniform in her front room. “I shall be keeping my eye on you,” Officer Rogers tells Allegra. “The feeling is mutual,” she flirts. “Especially in that uniform.”
