He had an Aussie larrikin sense of humour I adored; and he made me feel safe and secure.

As a result, I would go to events on my own — and eventually, I stopped going altogether. The relationship was ostensibly alienating me from my peers.

Leigh said people often thought her and Phillip were daughter and father when out in public. Source: Supplied

Being aware of the taboo

At this time, I was working as an executive secretary among professors and scientists — as well as being a part-time published writer. I was certainly no fool.

‘We were often mistaken for father and daughter’

Phillip was older and financially secure; this meant I felt that he would dismiss my ideas and not consult me.

Phillip was 55 years old when his and Leigh’s daughter Halle was born in 2004. Source: Supplied

Phillip had some minor and major illnesses during our time together.

He was a difficult man to help.

A wide gap of age and perspective

She became aware that the wide gap in age and generation meant that understanding each other was often fraught with old versus modern.

Halle and her late father Phillip. Source: Supplied

In 2023, Phillip died unexpectedly. He was in his mid-70s.