Page 188 of The Silent Appeal

He has a wide circle of business acquaintances.

12:49 p.m. Emma wrote:

They look closer than business acquaintances would ever be.

12:52 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Well, you know Kevin. Always friendly and helpful to everyone. Thanks for letting me know.

12:53 p.m. Emma wrote:

She’s just turned round enough for me to recognize her.

12:54 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

I’ll be at Big Sunday for as long as Sammy is well-behaved. Look forward to seeing the sculptures.

12:55 p.m. Emma wrote:

Do you want to know who it is?

12:56 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

He’ll tell me when it crosses his mind.

12:56 p.m. Emma wrote:

It’s Fran.

To: Joyce Walford

From: Marianne Payne

Date: June 1, 2025

Subject: Barry

Hello, Joyce,

We’ll park on the main road and Mick will carry anything you need across the verge. Don’t try to move it yourself unless Barry helps. We won’t have interval teas and coffees if you do yourself a mischief.

Joyce, I don’t want to worry you, especially not with play week looming and Myra due in the next few months, but Karen’s Mark told us something the other day. You know he’s one of the Digworth sons? He’s not who we’d pick for her, but she seems to think he’s husband material. Well, a few weeks ago, that Lucas started getting friendly with Mark at rehearsals. Karen noticed it before he did—she said he hadn’t spoken to Mark until the sleep out, then suddenly he’s trying to be his new best friend.

Next thing Mark knows, Lucas is asking questions about freezers and body bags. People have a morbid fascination with what he does, and he’s used to it, people generally ask the same sort of things. But what Lucas asked stood out. Mark is from a long line of funeral directors and it’s not the first time they’ve been “approached.”

Now, Mark has four brothers and his dad all looking out for him. Your Barry only has you and Nick. He’s working for Lucas and we don’t want to see him taken in by someone who sees him as a soft touch.

Not that your Barry is a soft touch, Joyce, but he’s a nice fellow and that’s who the likes of Lucas will go for. See you soon. Marianne

Message exchange between Joyce and Nick Walford on June 1, 2025:

1:18 p.m. Joyce wrote:

We need to get your soppy brother away from that fucking Lucas.

1:19 p.m. Nick wrote:

I know, Mum, but he’s getting good money at the club.