Page 93 of The Silent Appeal

2:22 p.m. Amelia wrote:

Nothing yet.

2:25 p.m. Fran wrote:

I’ll keep my eye out at work. We’re not recruiting right now, but there’ll be a drive in the spring, there often is.

2:26 p.m. Amelia wrote:

Sainsbury’s? Thanks, but I’m looking for something interesting, where I can work from home.

2:37 p.m. Fran wrote:

Coming to set-building tomorrow?

2:38 p.m. Amelia wrote:

If Lucas is out of bed. Otherwise, who’ll drive us there?

2:40 p.m. Fran wrote:

I’ll pick you and Georgia up, get you both out of the house.

Undated page from a decorative journal belonging to Isabel Beck:

TODAY

Today is our first set-building Sunday for The Hollow. I’ve brought my journal to fill in while I’m on the bus, so if this writing looks a bit wobbly, it’s because there are potholes on the road from Fowey to Lockwood. This is a longer journey than when I lived in Lower Lockwood. Still, it’s quite nice if you can get a window seat on the upper deck. I can watch people and they have no idea you’re looking down on them.

We’re nearly at the church hall now. I feel I should be drawing more pictures, like it says on the journal cover, or sticking things in, but what? And every page seems to want bullet points. What’s so special about bullet points? Let’s see. I’ll make them for everything that happens at set-building.

Fran slipped out of the hall and when I followed her, she turned round and scowled at me. I know we’re not as close friends as we were, but there’s no need to be rude, I only fancied some fresh air.

Nicky-Rose is SO good at knowing how the set should look. She led Joel and the other men around and told them what would work better. Usually when people try to make suggestions they get put in their place, but everyone listens to Nicky-Rose.

Lucas is just as I remember him, except he’s not high as a kite. I’ve stood near him a few times now and there’s not a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Hardly surprising. He probably can’t recall a thing about that time.

To: Femi Hassan & Charlotte Holroyd

From: Roderick Tanner, KC

Date: September 5, 2025

Subject: Dear both

Dear both,

I’ve reached the morning of the first set-building Sunday, which takes place just after Valentine’s Day. This case appears to start like most do, with ordinary people doing ordinary things. Of course, it’s when ordinary people do extraordinary things that we are called to the plate. I’ve noted the following points:

Three bunches of red flowers

Three love triangles

A proposal. Will it result in an “I do” or an “I did it”?

Let me know what you’re thinking.

RT