Page 152 of The Silent Appeal

Kevin

143

Nicky-Rose

831

Previously they were discussing a new accounts system, and it’s possibly something to do with that; perhaps they had telephone conversations in between that would account for these numbers. However, 143 and 831 is also a code that allows two people to say something secretly. 143 is the number of letters in the words “I love you” and 831 refers to “eight letters, three words, one meaning,” essentially saying the same thing.

While Fran and Father Josh’s affair is conspicuous in their correspondence, Kevin and Nicky-Rose are almost certainly having a secret affair of their own that is much less obvious.

Did Issy accidentally cause the light to fall? She admits stumbling up the stairs behind the stage and says:

I had to grab one of the rigging ropes to stop myself hitting the floor! That was the very moment the light fell down and everyone screamed!

The moment Fran gives her own sleeping bag to Amelia is deeply uncomfortable. Fran recognizes the fine line between her desire to help people and look after her own needs, but there’s also a fine line between people who need help and those who are prepared to take advantage. Fran feels responsible for other people’s actions; a self-destructive trait. She’s a voluntary counselor, not a professional, or perhaps she’d have professional support in situations like this.

Why does Father Josh tell the ghost story? Is it to encourage people to avoid the lane where he meets Fran?

The disappearance of Tiffany Ramirez in June 2024 seems to coincide with Nicky-Rose falling out with Trina and leaving Twin Star. Then there’s the mystery six months between then and her arrival in Lockwood. What accounts for that?

Nicky-Rose arrives on January 2 and she and SJ appear to be keeping a secret from their mother (and everyone else). It can’t be a pregnancy, as that would be obvious by the end of April. One can infer that Nicky-Rose told Sarah-Jane her secret on January 4 when the sisters had afternoon tea at Mirage:

Sarah-Jane

It’s a lot to take in.

Nicky-Rose

Same here.

Sarah-Jane

You can tell Mum.

Nicky-Rose

DO NOT TELL MUM SJ I’m fucking serious.

Sarah-Jane

She’ll find out sooner or later.

Nicky-Rose

She won’t. I’ll deal with it myself.

And later:

Nicky-Rose

I need peace and quiet to get through this.

Sarah-Jane

Am I literally the only person who knows?

Nicky-Rose