frances walken

FACT FILE

D.O.B: 09.01.1958

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 140lbs

Hair Colour: silver

Eye Colour: green

Current Occupation: Assistant Commisioner, SO15

First Seen: Standstill

Books Appeared In: Standstill, Floor 68

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Small in size and stature, but by no means small in personality, Dame Frances Walken is a very confident and respected individual. She packs a big punch. She always manages to intimidate everyone in the room. In many ways, she is like Mamadou. Except Frances has more power and authority in her arm than Mamadou does in his body. When she first joined the police, Frances was ridiculed for being small. The other members of the force saw her as a weak link in a very well-oiled and sturdy chain. They did not think that she could perform as well as some of the men in the office, and so was resigned to a desk for the first few years in the service. They deemed her the Queen of Admin. Now, however, she is the Queen of the Police. Second in command.

Frances speaks softly and calmly, even when she’s aggrieved and someone has done something to annoy her. She seldom raises her voice to shout at people. And she doesn’t like swearing that much. Being born and raised in a very strict Catholic household, she learnt that doing such things was bad and a sin. That doesn’t stop her from breaking one of the rules every once in a while. Especially if someone deserves it.

PERSONAL HISTORY

Frances’s history is complex and upsetting. She was born and raised on the outskirts of London, in Reading. She lived in a small home with her mum, dad, and brother. It was a strict Catholic household, where each week they would go to church. Frances seldom enjoyed it, and rebelled.

When she was old enough to have one, she had a boyfriend. She had just finished school, and they moved out. Neither could afford the property, because they were working poor jobs. Then Frances had the shock of a lifetime. She was pregnant. She wanted to keep it, but her soon-to-be husband didn’t. He, and the rest of her family, forced her to get rid of it. But she couldn’t. How could she? So instead she had the baby, and gave it away for adoption.

Frances’s career in the Metropolitan Police Service has been longstanding. She was officially made Assistant Commissioner in 2002, and has been there ever since, despite all the tumultuous years. She has seen a lot and been through a lot. Frances is content as Assistant Commissioner. She’s reached the top of the ladder she wants to. Going for the Commissioner position would involve too much for her. She has done enough and succeeded enough to be where she is. Hence why she is a Dame. Thanks to her long service and outstanding contribution to the service, she was awarded the honour in 2009.

LIKES/DISLIKES

Work. Frances works like a horse. Now she has no one at home, New Scotland Yard is her only source of comfort and companionship. Especially the people inside it. There are few people she likes, but those she’s closest to she will spend a few nights in a nice restaurant with them.

Frances dislikes driving. She doesn’t have any hobbies, and she gets someone to drive her around all the time in a special armour-plated Land Rover. One of her favourite pastimes is watching movies. She’s a big film buff. Especially films from the seventies and eighties — the years she was growing up.

Particulars

Favourite food: shepherd’s pie.

Favourite drink: gin, neat.

Favourite book: In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote

Favourite film: Alien.

OTHER

What was her most embarrassing moment? I once sent out an email to a civilian which was meant to be for a colleague.

What’s her greatest strength? Getting what I want when I want it. People dare tell me no. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am today, and I’m not going to let that go to waste.

What’s her greatest flaw? Having too many regrets. I’ve never been able to live in the moment. I’ve always been too afraid to do anything that’s risky. Like having more children. Even though my husband didn’t want them, there was still a part of me that did. And now I’ll never know.

Proudest achievement? Being made a dame. It was a few months before my husband passed away, and it was the best day of my life. I have never felt so proud. I know he was proud of me as well, and that he still is to this day.

Biggest secret… Alex. Nobody knows about him. And I’d like to keep it that way.

BOOK REFERENCES/QUOTES

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