Page 37 of The Silent Appeal

She’s seven years younger and an inch taller than me. She does her own thing and listens to no one.

3:22 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Is that supposed to be a recommendation?

3:28 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

She was captain of the netball team, got a silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, and was big in the Girl Guides, but dance was her thing. Something about how she moved captivated everyone in the room. She won an international scholarship to the most prestigious stage school in America and followed her dreams.

3:30 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Anything you can say about her after the age of eighteen?

3:37 p.m. Kevin wrote:

You barely know her either, SJ.

Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and Carol Dearing on January 10, 2025:

3:40 p.m. Kevin wrote:

What’s Nicky-Rose up to?

3:43 p.m. Carol wrote:

Gone into London wearing a new suit. More than that, I do not know.

3:45 p.m. Carol wrote:

I might add that I don’t care either, although that’s not true. I care a lot. But 2025 is the year I focus on ME. Nicky-Rose has taken care of herself on the other side of the world for twenty years. Sarah-Jane has you, Harley, and Sammy, and is a perfectly capable woman.

3:47 p.m. Carol wrote:

I’m sick and tired of dropping everything to help others just because they ask me.

3:51 p.m. Carol wrote:

I’ll tell you why: because they ask again and again, then you’re taken for granted. When someone is dependent on you, they get manipulative, especially when they’re worried you might withdraw your services.

3:52 p.m. Carol wrote:

Does this sound familiar, Kevin?

3:52 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Thought you loved looking after Sammy.

3:59 p.m. Carol wrote:

I do. But I also love having my own life. Who knows how much longer I’ve got? I knew you wouldn’t cast me in The Hollow. Saw Mendham’s audition ad on Facebook and popped along to see if I still have what it takes to land a part in a group who neither know me nor need me to skivvy for free. Turns out, I do.

4:01 p.m. Kevin wrote:

Congratulations.

4:01 p.m. Carol wrote:

Thank you.