Page 29 of The Silent Appeal

Dear Fran,

Thank you for your lovely email and kind words. I spend all week crafting my sermon, then the rest of Sunday wondering if my words have been heard in the way I intended.

I didn’t realize you worked with recovering addicts. As you say, difficult not to become so personally involved that one’s own well-being is eroded. Does your employer provide support?

I’ve never been tempted to join the Fairways. They are not strictly a church group, although I understand from our treasurer that they’ve been resident at the hall for so long they enjoy a preferential rate of hire. But amateur drama requires a good deal of commitment and I can’t become too involved in one community group to the detriment of others. I never miss a show though, even those that deal with difficult content like the last one.

I look forward to seeing you master the eccentric aristocrat, which I have no doubt you will.

Yours truly, Rev. Joshua Harries

To: Rev. Joshua Harries

From: Fran Elroy-Jones

Date: January 7, 2025

Subject: Re: Hello

Dear Joshua,

I work in Human Resources for Sainsbury’s, but my passion is community care. I run counseling sessions on a voluntary basis with former prisoners and recovering addicts—there’s a significant crossover, of course. It’s hard not to be affected by some of the stories.

I’m not sure if I attract people looking for a crutch, or whether I subconsciously seek them out. Either way, there’s an imbalance and I find myself craving the company of someone who doesn’t look up to me, or expect me to give advice or help. We don’t have all the answers, do we? I love what I do—even my work in HR is rewarding—but it seems most of my friends are needy in one way or another. I end up taking on the role of mentor or guide, but who guides me? At the end of the day there’s no one for me to talk to.

Pathway South is a small charity and they can’t provide much support for counselors. If you ever fancy meeting up for a chat, just let me know. My number is below.

God bless, Fran

Message exchange between Marianne Payne and Kevin MacDonald on January 7, 2025:

2:17 p.m. Marianne wrote:

Between you and me, Karen’s very disappointed. Her part is so small it’s barely worth doing.

2:18 p.m. Kevin wrote:

There are no small parts, only small actors. Not my words. Stanislavski.

2:22 p.m. Marianne wrote:

Karen is five-foot-six, and I don’t see what a dead composer has to say about it.

2:29 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Stanislavski taught method acting and was a great influence on Sir John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier. He knew his onions.

2:31 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Look, Doris the maid may have very few words, but those words are crucial to the story and the arcs of other characters.

2:33 p.m. Marianne wrote:

Also, between you and me, Denise is quite annoyed to be sidelined again. She misses out every time. Is there really no part for her?

2:40 p.m. Kevin wrote:

What can I say? When Agatha Christie wrote The Hollow, she didn’t write a part for Denise. I’m simply casting the best actors for each role.