Page 120 of The Silent Appeal

From: Joyce Walford

Date: April 25, 2025

Subject: Re: The Big Sleep Out tomorrow!

After we’ve served the sausage and mash, I’ll be off. Sleeping on the floor at my age? I’d never get up. I know Carol won’t be staying either. Getting her to help at all was like pulling teeth. Joyce

Messages posted to Fran’s Hollow Play WhatsApp group on April 25, 2025:

3:12 p.m. Fran wrote:

I’ll pick you both up at 5:45 tomorrow. Do you have sleeping bags? If not, I have a spare one from Guides.

3:18 p.m. Georgia wrote:

Bring one for me. Have you got a spare pillow too? Don’t want to use my one from home, it’ll get dirty.

3:22 p.m. Amelia wrote:

I don’t have a sleeping bag either. I was going to bring the duvet from our bed for us to share.

3:23 p.m. Georgia wrote:

Got in first yay.

Message exchange between Amelia Stibson and Fran Elroy-Jones on April 25, 2025:

3:23 p.m. Amelia wrote:

GRRRR! It isn’t HER pillow—or her home for that matter!

3:25 p.m. Fran wrote:

Sorry, Ams. She’s used to being looked after by adults. You and Lucas have basically been her parents these last few months, she expects you to put her needs first.

3:26 p.m. Amelia wrote:

Don’t I know it! And I can’t bring the subject up or he thinks I’m shit-talking his fam.

3:27 p.m. Amelia wrote:

I’m glad the club has taken off, but it means he’s out until the early hours and sleeps late every morning.

3:29 p.m. Amelia wrote:

I want to look for a job myself, but I’ve got this nagging feeling. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to leave her alone in the flat.

3:29 p.m. Fran wrote:

Still no sign of her moving out?

3:30 p.m. Amelia wrote:

No, and now I have to put my bedding on a scummy old church hall floor while she gets the sleeping bag

3:31 p.m. Fran wrote:

Have MY sleeping bag.