CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA: Mystic seer and patron of crying wolf. There was once a popular song called 'They Wouldn't Believe Me' which would have made a fine theme tune for this prophetess.

It all started so well. She was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. APOLLO thought she was a charming child and let her sleep in his temple with his pet snakes, who licked her ears and passed on the secrets of prophecy.

Was she grateful? Not a bit. She grew to be a very beautiful lady whom APOLLO was smitten with, but it was years before she would grant him as much as a kiss. Him, the most radiant handsome God ever, who had women swooning in droves!

When she did allow him a kiss, that was it. Just one kiss. Nothing else — no cuddling and not a hint of ear-licking.

Disappointed, APOLLO sighed so hard as he tried to prolong the kiss that he dribbled a bit and the power of belief was washed away. Now, no matter what CASSANDRA predicted no-one believed her. "Mad as a hatter!" was the general consensus. Invasion with a big Wooden Horse? What rubbish!

Things went from bad to worse. She could never keep her mouth shut — but whatever she predicted, no-one ever remembered that she was always right. Even worse, she knew she would come to a bad end including rape, being given away, and finally being murdered by Clytemnestra the epitome of a Greek Tragedy Queen.

Of course you may just be thinking we made all this up.