The Silent Appeal #5
Sorry to bother you. You probably won’t remember me, but I’m playing Gerda in The Hollow.
My name is Issy and I first acted with the Fairway Players in 2018.
Gerda is the biggest (and best!) part I’ve ever had and I couldn’t help but be totally blown away by your suggestion on Monday that I sit sideways on the settee.
I’ve never been on a cruise ship, but they must have the most amazing plays, because you transformed our little rehearsal from (if I’m honest) a bit of a trudge through act one to something dynamic and creative.
I trained as a nurse, but with one thing and another I’m now an ophthalmologist at Specsavers.
However, I have a great vision. My dream is to sail around the world on cruise ships, perhaps working in the medical center on board.
I was once in geriatrics and now deal with mainly elderly customers, so I already have relevant experience.
I just need someone to take me under their wing, someone who knows that lifestyle.
Shall we meet for a coffee to discuss the play, the sculptures Emma is making, and what it’s like to work on cruise ships? Lots of love, Issy xxx
Message exchange between Nicky-Rose Dearing and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on February 12, 2025:
1:43 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
What’s Issy like?
1:43 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Avoid!
1:44 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Really? She’s been a Fairway Player for seven years. Can’t be that bad.
1:45 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
She did Blithe Spirit and stood in for a bit part in All My Sons back in the day, that’s all. Latches onto the unwary.
1:46 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Kevin panicked about finding a Gerda. He did a hook-and-haul, dragged her back. Did Mum tell you what happened here? She was at the center of it.
1:47 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
A leech in a mouse-suit.
1:47 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
She’s invited me for coffee.
1:47 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
DON’T GO!
To: Isabel Beck
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 12, 2025
Subject: Re: My sculpture
Sure, let’s meet at Squires, their coffee is fair-trade and organic. Text me when you’re around. Happy to talk about cruise life, but prepare for your illusions to be shattered. NR
Message exchange between Nick and Barry Walford on February 12, 2025:
2:12 p.m. Nick wrote:
Mum says you’re working on the door at Lunar.
2:12 p.m. Barry wrote:
Three nights a week.
2:13 p.m. Nick wrote:
Packed in the garage job?
2:15 p.m. Barry wrote:
Doing both. Need the coin. Doing our heads in living with Mum.
2:15 p.m. Nick wrote:
Pay well?
2:15 p.m. Barry wrote:
2:22 p.m. Nick wrote:
Some kid jumped in the canal last Saturday. Walked calmly to the bridge and did a dive. Couldn’t swim. He’d been at Lunar just before.
2:25 p.m. Barry wrote:
Dead?
2:26 p.m. Nick wrote:
Mate saved him. Don’t do anything sketchy for Lucas.
2:26 p.m. Barry wrote:
I steer clear of all that.
2:27 p.m. Nick wrote:
Make sure you do. Mum don’t need you getting banged up, nor Myra neither.
2:29 p.m. Barry wrote:
I told you. I steer clear. Lucas is straight up.
2:30 p.m. Nick wrote:
First sign of aggro you pack it in.
Message exchange between Nicky-Rose Dearing and Kevin MacDonald on February 13, 2025:
1:54 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Still with your client?
1:55 p.m. Kevin wrote:
It’s an all-dayer.
1:55 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Quickly: Do you have a safe here?
1:55 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Yep. Cupboard behind my desk.
1:56 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Can I put something in it? Just an envelope with passport, etc.
1:56 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Sure. Same passcode as the door.
4:53 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Going straight home. How are the accounts looking?
4:54 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Everything here. Nothing in the right place.
4:54 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Can you sort it?
4:55 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Yes, but have to come and go. Stuff to sort out.
4:55 p.m. Kevin wrote:
You’ve got the job.
Undated page from a decorative journal belonging to Isabel Beck:
TODAY
Today is my least favorite day of the year.
All the red hearts and roses everywhere make me feel super-sad and alone, which goes to prove it doesn’t always pay to be mindful.
Still, I’ve got back-to-back patients all day, and most of them will have left their years of sending and receiving Valentine’s cards long behind them, so it’ll soon go.
I wonder if Nicky-Rose got a Valentine’s card?
Here’s what I’m looking forward to: TOMORROW!
(Sorry, journal, but that’s how I feel.)
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on February 14, 2025:
10:05 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
How much did these roses cost?
10:05 a.m. Kevin wrote:
My love has no value.
10:06 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Quickly, it’s for the household spreadsheet.
10:07 a.m. Kevin wrote:
￡48. Red ones would’ve been ￡68.
10:11 a.m. Kevin wrote:
Thank you, Kevin, for the beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers.
10:12 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
And for saving ￡20.
Message exchange between Carol Dearing and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on February 14, 2025:
10:39 a.m. Carol wrote:
Nicky-Rose got a dozen roses!
10:39 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
So did I.
10:41 a.m. Carol wrote:
These are luscious, deep red, velvety blooms in a proper reservoir.
10:42 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
So are mine, but in a more cost-conscious shade of yellow.
10:45 a.m. Carol wrote:
Well, yours are only going to be from Kevin! Nicky-Rose obviously has a man somewhere. This is NEWS!
10:46 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Who’s to say it’s a man? We shouldn’t be heteronormative.
10:48 a.m. Carol wrote:
Balls! What woman would spend a small fortune on flowers that will be dead in two days?
10:48 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
They’re ￡68.
10:54 a.m. Carol wrote:
Didn’t see what it said on the card, she whisked it away.
10:57 a.m. Carol wrote:
Might ask them at Blooms where the order came from. Must be a chap in Barbados surely.
10:59 a.m. Carol wrote:
She hasn’t been here long enough to catch anyone’s eye. Or has she?
11:04 a.m. Carol wrote:
She goes out and won’t say where to. Always during the day and dressed either too smart or too casual for a date, although these days you never know.
11:18 a.m. Carol wrote:
It wouldn’t be anyone from Fairways, would it? They’re a fast operator if so—she only showed her face there Monday.
11:29 a.m. Carol wrote:
Are there even any single men at Fairways these days?
11:30 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Mum, we’re not speaking, remember. If you want to keep dinging me while I’m at work, then I’ll assume you’ve had a change of heart and want to babysit Sammy on Monday nights.
11:44 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Thought not.
To: Stuart Kinsella
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Thanks for the dozen red roses. Nix x
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Stuart Kinsella
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Haven’t sent any. Or is that an example of your biting sarcasm? Stu x
To: Stuart Kinsella
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Sorry, I know who they’re from now… he’s involved with the play (so much for not getting roped in, I’m now assistant director), and he’s hot but very married. Knew it wasn’t your style but wondered if you drunk-dialed a florist when you were drowning your sorrows the other day. Nix x
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Stuart Kinsella
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
A dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day? Not even I get THAT pissed. Glad you’re settling in. Where are you with the Trina thing?
Keep forgetting to tell you this: Remember Isla Coole?
We were at school together, then you and I saw her at that Canada Assoc.
do in Bridgetown and you gave her your card?
Then I got her to do that show for the cricket club?
Guess where she was a few nights ago—on a Canadian TV stand-up show!
Proves you can spot raw talent, right? Pleased for her. Stu x
To: Stuart Kinsella
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
I gave Isla a gig with us and she was fired within days. The same ship was disastrous for other reasons, but glad she’s doing okay. Made a BIG decision to forget the case against Trina/Twin Star and put it behind me. Over. Finito. Doing life here and having FUN. Nix x
Message exchange between Amelia Stibson and Fran Elroy-Jones on February 14, 2025:
12:02 p.m. Amelia wrote:
It’s gone midday and I’ve got nothing. Not even a card. Things are THAT bad.
12:04 p.m. Fran wrote:
I’m sorry, Ams. He’s probably just forgotten.
12:04 p.m. Amelia wrote:
Who can forget Valentine’s Day? It’s everywhere.
12:05 p.m. Fran wrote:
He’s busy though and now that you’re married, it’s less of a thing. Isn’t it just permission for single people to approach those they’ve admired from afar?
12:05 p.m. Amelia wrote:
He’s always remembered before.
12:05 p.m. Fran wrote:
The day’s only half over.
12:07 p.m. Amelia wrote:
I’m supposed to be polishing my CV but madam is moping around the place binge-watching serial killer shows on Netflix.
12:08 p.m. Fran wrote:
He’ll bring something home for you, I’m certain.
Message exchange between Fran Elroy-Jones and Lucas Stibson on February 14, 2025:
12:09 p.m. Fran wrote:
Hey! How are you guys celebrating Valentine’s Day?
12:25 p.m. Lucas wrote:
Not bothering. All that tacky red tat is a waste of coin.
12:27 p.m. Fran wrote:
Poor Amelia! You can pick up some flowers on the way home. There are still plenty of bunches here. How about red carnations? You get the effect, but not the expense of roses and no thorns.
12:49 p.m. Lucas wrote:
Tied up here all afternoon and evening. Won’t be back till long after Sainsbury’s closes.
12:51 p.m. Fran wrote:
I’ll get a bunch for you now, and a chocolate thing, drop them off to you at Lunar, and you can give them to her when you get in. It’ll mean the world.
12:57 p.m. Lucas wrote:
If you like.
To: Marianne Payne
From: Karen Payne
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Fran