The Silent Appeal #6
Hi Mum, you won’t believe what I’ve just seen. Fran went down onto the shop floor, picked up a bunch of bright red carnations and a heart-shaped box of chocolates, bought them, then drove off in her car. She was back twelve minutes later, without the flowers or chocolates.
Went back to her office as if nothing had happened. What do you make of that? Karen
To: Karen Payne
From: Marianne Payne
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Fran
Well, in his sermon last Sunday, Father Josh spoke about how religious holidays have become commercialized and meaningless. She was sitting in the front row, but can’t have been listening!
She’s such a lovely girl, she should get on the dating apps and find someone before it’s too late. After all, that’s what you did and even though Mark is a bit creepy, he seems to be sticking around at least. Mum
To: Marianne Payne
From: Karen Payne
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Fran
MUM! There’s more! Fran just had a delivery of red roses!
A big bunch in a plastic bag of water from a proper florist, not a supermarket.
All the girls in the office are excited for her.
She hasn’t said who they’re from, but when they were in their weekly management meeting, I crept into her office and saw the card with my own eyes.
It had a big question mark on it. Who do you think sent them? Karen
To: Marianne Payne
From: Karen Payne
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: Fran
And Mum, Mark’s dad is an undertaker, his granddad was an undertaker, his aunts and uncles are all undertakers except his uncle Tony, who’s a coffin-maker.
He’s been around death his whole life and hopes to take over the business with his brother.
He has a skilled and valuable role in society. IT’S NOT CREEPY!
To: Denise Malcolm
From: Joyce Walford
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: My Barry
Barry came back from the garage in his lunch hour with a plastic rose.
Myra was giving Kahleesi a bottle. He knelt down where Arya was playing, handed him the rose, said, “Give that to your mum.” So Arya toddles off and gives it to her.
Turns out there’s a box taped to the stem and inside she finds an engagement ring.
Don’t know where he got the cash for that, but he’s been working nights at a club these last few weeks.
Weddings cost a fortune, Denise. Joyce
To: Joyce Walford
From: Denise Malcolm
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Re: My Barry
Well, congratulations, Joyce! Or should I say “mother-of-the-groom-to-be”? How lovely to have them married and the little ones can be part of it too! All you need now is for Nick to find someone and they’ll both be off your hands. Denise
Message exchange between Fran Elroy-Jones and Rev. Joshua Harries on February 14, 2025:
3:01 p.m. Fran wrote:
I received a bunch of beautiful roses today.
3:03 p.m. Josh wrote:
Did they make you happy?
3:03 p.m. Fran wrote:
They did.
3:05 p.m. Josh wrote:
It must feel good to have someone do something for you, instead of the other way round.
3:05 p.m. Fran wrote:
It does. Thank you.
3:07 p.m. Josh wrote:
Do you know who sent them?
3:10 p.m. Fran wrote:
I have an idea. But they can’t tell me. Things are too complicated.
3:11 p.m. Josh wrote:
Indeed. They are.
Message exchange between Kev MacDonald and Nicky-Rose Dearing on February 14, 2025:
3:18 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Get any flowers today?
3:57 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Thanks.
3:58 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Do you mind?
4:22 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Why would I mind?
4:23 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Bit awkward?
5:57 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Only if we make it awkward.
To: The Fairway Players mailing list
From: Celia Halliday
Date: February 15, 2025
Subject: Set-building
Dear all,
Tomorrow, Sunday, February 16, is a momentous day. The first set-building Sunday for The Hollow. Rest assured your hugely talented set designer, the plywood prince himself, Joel Halliday OBE, has a portfolio of ambitious plans.
The scenery is already securely in position, thanks to Joel and Mark (his new right-hand man), but we’ll need ALL hands on deck to strip the flats of wallpaper and start the magical transformation into the Angkatells’ drawing room.
Denise and Marianne have already measured the settee and a chintz floral design has been circled in the pattern book.
They also have a list of props for us all to look out for.
In short, we would like to see as many cast and crew as possible at the church hall on Sunday from 2 p.m. onward.
For our new members, these set-building Sundays are fun and informal, with children and dogs more than welcome.
Joyce will be there with her cakes and tea.
Nick and Barry usually have some sort of loud music playing.
Please bring your energy, enthusiasm, and a big tub of elbow grease!
Celia and Joel Halliday OBE
To: Celia Halliday
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 15, 2025
Subject: Re: Set-building
Hi Celia,
I spoke to Joel on Monday about changing the set.
He’s got the patio doors too far to the right.
They should be central so the murder is clearly visible to the entire audience.
Are you really thinking of just covering the sofa that’s onstage?
I suggest we look for an older-style couch, or even a chaise longue, because that settee is a distinctive 1980s design.
The early fifties were still woody and ornate and formal.
Even covered in chintz it will look wrong.
I’ll come down on Sunday and supervise.
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Celia Halliday
Date: February 15, 2025
Subject: Re: Set-building
Joel knows what he’s doing, thank you. But of course, please come to the hall on Sunday. We need sweepers, scrubbers, and strippers. Celia
To: Celia Halliday
From: Kevin MacDonald
Date: February 15, 2025
Subject: Re: Set-building
Hi Celia,
Thanks for sending out the set-building email without running it past me first. I’m sure you were just saving me the bother, but just to be clear, dogs are NOT welcome at set-building.
It’s dangerous to have them running about while valuable cast and crew members are teetering up ladders and balancing on tables, etc.
They are also a distraction and, in some cases, smelly.