Chissel is in her mid to late teens (not exactly sure of her age, thinks that she may be 15 -17 years old). She has a pale to sallow complexion with dark brown eyes that extenuate her high cheekbones. Grew up with a travelling circus (whose home base was Catalonia, Spain), an elderly couple retired from the high wire act had taken care of her as long as she can remember, so is not sure of her nationality. They told her stories of the many places they had visited and people they met along the way….she has not had any interest in finding her parents…they were part of the circus at one stage…well there were two young people who fell madly in love…she was the daughter of the circus owner, a very beautiful girl, and the young man was a very creative and artistic clown who had joined the troupe in Dublin, Ireland and stayed with them throughout their tour of Europe. When the circus owner discovered that his daughter was pregnant he banished the young clown and forbade the mention of his name in the circus. After the birth of the child (a young girl), the father gave the baby to the 'high wire' couple to care for her. His daughter, distraught at the loss of her lover and now her baby, died a year later.
They named the little girl "Chissel". They knew that Chissel would need to be tough to survive, so as circus folk they began to instil and encourage the independent spirit which was evident in the young girl. She is also known as 'Chissel O'Granite'….even at a young age she is hard and uncompromising.
She likes baggy cloths, reading, travel and money.
She dislikes everything that opposes feminism.
Her philosophy is to "Live a fast life, but do so at ease".
She is 'street-wise' and would not considered herself 'nice' or very ladylike…she says that she could not have survived otherwise. She does not hold back and speaks her mind…blunt and to the point, you would say….but she is also very honest and trustworthy…once you get to know her, which is difficult. She is intelligent and very creative.
Chissel received a letter (the first she ever received) which says that her father, a Brian O'Donnell…was inviting her to go to Achill Island……Chissel awakes to a loud banging on the caravan door...