The Silent Appeal #4
Cousin marriage and the preindustrial propertied class: laws of inheritance meant that property passed through the male line, a law that failed if a family didn’t have sons.
To avoid a vast estate falling into the hands of a weaker (female) bloodline or another family entirely, cousin marriage was tolerated and, thanks to Henry VIII, legal.
This problem was a significant one in history and our characters in The Hollow demonstrate it to a T.
There are no male heirs to the Angkatell family estates so Lucy and Henry are trying to marry Henrietta off to Edward.
If he marries Midge, whose mother was an Angkatell and therefore a weaker bloodline, the property moves out of the Angkatell male line.
After the long and illustrious career Nicky-Rose has enjoyed, she deserves some R&R with her family. There’s nothing to wonder about re: her return. Kevin
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Trina Neale
Date: January 4, 2025
Subject: I saw you
Here you are at 5:44 a.m. on January 1, recorded clear as day on our new security camera, trying four codes on the door before you finally hit the jackpot. At least you didn’t smash the place up this time. Anyway, I know what you did in the eleven minutes you were here.
They were in the safe, hidden behind my jewelry box. A regular thief wouldn’t have taken what they did and left the valuables.
To: Trina Neale
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: January 4, 2025
Subject: Re: I saw you
That’s the trouble with using birth dates for entry codes.
Someone who knows you as well as I do can easily guess.
Maybe don’t work with “friends” in the future?
I know how your mind works. You could’ve destroyed all these, but wanted something to hang over me, keep me quiet. Well, that works both ways.
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Trina Neale
Date: January 4, 2025
Subject: Re: I saw you
Okay, so I just tried to call you, but you’ve either blocked my number or your phone doesn’t work over there.
If you show them to anyone, it would be a demonstration of your utter brainless fuckwittery. Every single document implicates YOU.
Message exchange between Denise Malcolm and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on January 4, 2025:
3:25 p.m. Denise wrote:
Lovely of you to take your sister for afternoon tea.
3:25 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Yes.
3:27 p.m. Denise wrote:
Perhaps you can clear something up for me. She’s lived in Bermuda for twenty years. Shouldn’t she have a better tan?
3:27 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Barbados. Sunscreen.
3:29 p.m. Denise wrote:
I’m working tables 9–17 but I can ask my coworker to swap so I can serve you.
3:30 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Please don’t.
3:43 p.m. Denise wrote:
I’ve asked chef to pop a couple of extra sandwiches on your plate.
3:44 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Thank you.
3:51 p.m. Denise wrote:
I wouldn’t eat the mini cheesecakes. They’ve been in the fridge since before Christmas.
3:52 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Too late.
4:11 p.m. Denise wrote:
Order champagne and you qualify for the special New Year offer. I can amend your bill from my iPad.
4:15 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
No champagne. We’re here for a sober chat, away from work, family, childcare, etc. I need to reconnect with my younger sister after a very long time apart.
4:19 p.m. Denise wrote:
Of course! How lovely. Do you know the urinals here are the original ceramics from 1920? They’re beautiful. Well worth a trip to the loo just to see them.
4:19 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
The gents?
4:20 p.m. Denise wrote:
You are funny SJ! How’s little Sammy?
4:20 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Thriving. I can’t text right now, Denise, I’m with Nicky-Rose.
4:21 p.m. Denise wrote:
Of course! Has Kevin got anyone in mind for Lady Angkatell?
4:21 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
No.
4:30 p.m. Denise wrote:
It’s a much bigger part than I would usually have, but I’m not getting any younger. If my ambition was to have a leading role before I die, then Lucy Angkatell would be it. I’m the right age and although not the best actor in the group, I’m one of the most loyal. Could you
4:31 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Could I what?
4:40 p.m. Denise wrote:
Sorry, didn’t mean to press send, it’s just table eleven wanted a top-up of oolong. Perhaps you could mention to Kevin that I’d like to be considered?
4:41 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Perhaps you could email and tell him yourself?
4:42 p.m. Denise wrote:
I don’t want to disturb him.
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on January 4, 2025:
3:53 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Forgot Denise works at Mirage. She keeps looking over and texting me.
3:53 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Turn phone to silent?
3:54 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
How can I? You might call at any moment to say Sammy’s fallen off the kitchen island or put her hand in the pizza oven.
3:55 p.m. Kevin wrote:
She can’t climb onto the kitchen island and the pizza oven is in the shed.
3:56 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Harley might ring to say he’s had an accident or been arrested.
3:57 p.m. Kevin wrote:
An accident? He’s spent the last eighteen hours in bed. If he’s arrested, we’re not bailing him out. What’s the tea?
3:57 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
English breakfast.
3:57 p.m. Kevin wrote:
I mean what’s the hot news from Nicky-Rose?
3:58 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Gone to the loo.
3:58 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Pregnant by a married actor? Jilted by a caddish billionaire?
4:00 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
It’s not a joke, Kevin. The hot news is that Denise wants to read for Lady Angkatell.
4:01 p.m. Kevin wrote:
That’s fine. She can read. The auditions are open and inclusive.
4:01 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Who do you have in mind for that role?
4:01 p.m. Kevin wrote:
4:02 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
What does that mean?
4:03 p.m. Kevin wrote:
To say would be to betray the confidence of those players who have expressed to me a desire to be considered.
4:04 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Since when have we kept secrets like that from each other?
4:06 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Since your mother asked to read for the role of Lady Angkatell, that’s when.
4:06 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
What!! Nicky-Rose is on her way back, we’ll speak later.
Message exchange between Carol Dearing and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on January 4, 2025:
6:07 p.m. Carol wrote:
Well? How is she? What did she say? Was she eating more than normal (pregnant)? Less than normal (eating disorder)? Is the afternoon tea there any good, or a bit dry and tired like people say?
6:14 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Don’t worry, Mum. Nicky-Rose is fine. Whatever’s brought her back is to do with Trina and the company. She hasn’t said exactly what, but there’s been a falling-out.
6:14 p.m. Carol wrote:
Who’s looking after her house in Barbados?
6:14 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
It’s been sold.
6:15 p.m. Carol wrote:
When? And why? Is she not going back?
6:15 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
No time soon. And Mum, word is that you’re reading for a part on Monday.
6:21 p.m. Carol wrote:
I suppose Kevin told you. Well, I haven’t acted properly for a long time, but The Hollow is one of the few plays that has a decent part for an old trout like me.
6:22 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Other Fairway Players of a certain age also have their eyes on that role.
6:23 p.m. Carol wrote:
Of course they do, and Kevin must choose the actor most suited to the role.
6:23 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
What if one of them is the actor most suited to looking after our toddler while we’re at rehearsals?
6:24 p.m. Carol wrote:
Nonsense! Sammy can come to rehearsals now.
6:25 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
She’s barely three and can summon demons with her screams.
6:31 p.m. Carol wrote:
Well, you’re not reading for a part. IF YOU WISH TO EXCLUDE YOUR DAUGHTER THEN YOU CAN STAY HOME.
6:31 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Capital letters mean you’re shouting.
6:31 p.m. Carol wrote:
I KNOW!
6:53 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Mum. I’m the producer. I have to be there to support the director and put out any fires. I can’t do that and look after Sammy.
6:54 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
What’s the problem, anyway? You looked after Harley when he was too young for rehearsals.
6:59 p.m. Carol wrote:
I was seventeen years younger then! Who knows how long I’ve got left? I don’t want to spend my twilight years looking after someone else’s terrible hollering toddler!
7:00 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
That terrible hollering toddler is your grandchild!
7:00 p.m. Carol wrote:
And your CHILD!
7:01 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
There is no way I’m staying home while the Fairway Players rehearse. NO WAY. AND I’M SHOUTING.
7:01 p.m. Carol wrote:
LIKE DAUGHTER, LIKE MOTHER.
7:01 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
YOU SAID IT.
To: Carol Dearing
From: Marianne Payne
Date: January 4, 2025
Subject: Charity shops
Dear Carol,
I’ve got a list of props and costumes. Fancy doing the charity shops tomorrow?
We can start with the British Heart Foundation, PDSA, and Cancer Research in Lockwood, then Oxfam, Age UK, and St. Mark’s Hospice in Lockley Bois.
I’ll drive and we can stop off at the Wheatsheaf on the way home. Marianne
To: Marianne Payne
From: Carol Dearing
Date: January 4, 2025
Subject: Re: Charity shops
I’m furious, Marianne. I’d love to come with you, but I’ll be no company at all.
Had a bust-up with Sarah-Jane. She wants me to babysit during rehearsals—and you know how I usually help at the drop of a hat—well, The Hollow has a wonderful leading part for a woman my age and I want to audition for it.
I never had the chance years ago because Helen would always get the leading roles, so I gave up trying.
I haven’t acted for years—not counting that disastrous stint as Father Christmas in the pantomime a couple of years ago—and this may be my last chance.
I’m at that girl’s beck and call and this is the one thing I want for me.
The problem is, Kevin has a vested interest in me NOT getting that part—or any part. It’s so frustrating!