Page 59 of The Silent Appeal

2:53 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

I TRUSTED YOU. You’re now telling me I was WRONG to do that—that I have NOTHING to show for a decade of my life and it’s MY fault?

2:53 p.m. Trina wrote:

You said it.

2:53 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

But that’s not the whole story, is it? It’s not even the worst thing you’ve done.

2:54 p.m. Trina wrote:

Send back what you have, and everything will be ok.

To: Stuart Kinsella

From: Nicky-Rose Dearing

Date: February 2, 2025

Subject: Re: Hi

I understand you don’t want to get involved in my shit, but you KNOW I would never have signed away my HOUSE against company debt. I told you the business was losing money.

Wasn’t going to email again, but can’t talk to anyone here. The Trina thing isn’t going away and it could explode at any time. Yes, worse than signatures on loans. A LOT of stuff happened after you left—some of it had been going on for years and the rest was a live-action shitstorm. Literally everything in my life fell apart all at once.

Anyway, my sister has finally talked me into going to her amateur drama rehearsals. DO NOT want to get roped into a play, but she’s also lending me a car and is generally being ok so I have to. Mum is great considering, but FFS I’m thirty-nine and back in my old bedroom. Nix x

To: Kevin MacDonald

From: Celia Halliday

Date: February 2, 2025

Subject: Charity suggestion

Beth has heard that Isabel Beck got the part of Gerda. Is this true? More to the point, is it wise? I recall her antics during Blithe Spirit, when she forgot to pick up a tea tray center stage, so edged on from the wings in the next scene to collect it, improvising an apology. Only that scene was meant to be “a week later.”

Then there was All My Sons.

We should choose a charity for The Hollow. I suggest St. Mark’s Hospice. I’ll let them know and get a logo for the program. Celia

To: Celia Halliday

From: Kevin MacDonald

Date: February 2, 2025

Subject: Re: Charity suggestion

No! I want to discuss our next charity event with the committee. I’d like to do something different. Please don’t contact the hospice yet. We donate to them at least every other play and it’s good to spread the love a little wider, don’t you think?

Beth heard correctly. Issy is based in Fowey these days and has agreed to come back and play Gerda. And yes, I remember that episode in Blithe Spirit, not least because Sarah-Jane was onstage as Madame Arcati when it happened. I also remember the audience laughing louder and for longer at that than they did at Noël Coward’s perfectly timed caustic wit.

Let’s discuss the charity thing at Tuesday’s committee meeting. Thanks, Kevin

Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and John O’Dea on February 3, 2025: