Page 259 of The Silent Appeal

From: Nicky-Rose Dearing

Date: June 5, 2025

Subject: Re: Warning

Thanks for this warning, Isla. Really appreciated. Not sure why Tiffany told you her parents were dead. They’ve been in the news v. much alive. She was dealing coke on the Eclipse so we had to fire her. I’m in a hurry—leaving the UK and going to stay with Stuart in Jakarta. As you might have guessed, we split up when he was sent there by the bank. We’ve reconnected these past few months. Cool and platonic, so all good, and I’m sure he’s got a spare room, or failing that, a couch. Thanks again and good luck (Stu saw you on TV the other day, congrats). Nicky-Rose

To: Nicky-Rose Dearing

From: Isla Coole

Date: June 5, 2025

Subject: Re: Warning

Hi Nicky-Rose,

Thanks, and yeah, didn’t want to snitch when I wrote before, but the first time we met, Tiffany told me if I wanted coke to see her. Assumed that was how she got by after her parents died, but now it sounds as if she’s just one of those players. Say hi to Stu from me, and if you’re ever in Vancouver, look me up. Isla

Article in the Daily Mail dated August 22, 2025:

PRIVATE-SCHOOL LOVER JAILED FOR MARRIED VICAR’S MURDER

Francesca Elroy-Jones (37), who as a teenager attended the exclusive £12,000-a-term Hickstanton School for Girls, was handed a life sentence for the murder of the Reverend Joshua Harries (41) on June 5 of this year.

Elroy-Jones and Harries, whose wife was pregnant with their third child at the time, engaged in an affair for several months. In her statement to the court, Ms. Elroy-Jones admitted that she murdered Harries after realizing he had no intention of leaving his wife.

At sentencing, Judge Walcott said, “You felt entitled to have whatever you wanted. When you couldn’t have the Reverend Harries, you made sure no one else could. As further evidence of your cold and calculating character, you took steps to make sure your guilt remained hidden until after the play you were acting in had finished its run. From the moment you selected the murder weapon to the moment you walked into the police station to confess, your actions were based on pure self-interest. I have no hesitation in handing you a life sentence, with the ruling that you’ll serve a minimum of twenty years.”

Femi

That’s it. That’s the end.

Charlotte

Early in Act One Amelia spots Nicky-Rose slipping through the props cupboard door, which we know leads to the lane where Josh is murdered.

Charlotte

While Inspector Lascelles is in the audience waiting to speak to her about Tiffany.

Charlotte

I think her departure early in the first act is part of her plan, but she looks like “shit warmed up” according to Amelia. Is she unwell?

Femi

This is the moment she leaves the life she’s been rebuilding with her family for the last six months. It just happens to be the opening moments of the play.

Charlotte

She can’t stay because she still has the documents that implicate her in Tiffany’s disappearance. Trina could use them against her at any moment. She MUST leave now, but it can’t be easy.

Femi

Fran delivers a virtuoso performance.

Charlotte