Page 110 of The Silent Appeal

Message exchange between Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Nicky-Rose Dearing on February 20, 2025:

5:00 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Just seen you in Squires. Why?

5:03 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

A primo iced macchiato with caramel syrup, almond milk, and an extra shot of espresso. Why not?

5:05 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

I mean why are you with Issy Beck? I told you what she’s like. She’s not your type.

5:29 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

Maybe not when I was fifteen. Now I find the quiet, shy, awkward girls far more interesting. They watch and listen. And they’ll do anything for their friends.

To: Nicky-Rose Dearing

From: Isabel Beck

Date: February 20, 2025

Subject: Thank you!

Hiya Nicky!

OMG!! I’ve never had such fun in a coffee shop IN MY LIFE!!

From this moment and forever: hot coffee is dead to me. I’m only getting out of bed for iced arabica with caramel syrup and almond milk. How did you discover such a wonderful drink? Was it on a cruise ship? I think the caffeine might be stronger than in the Nescafé I’m used to because I’m so wide awake and buzzing when usually I’d be sleepy after a day at work.

It was so nice to meet you and chat! We have A LOT in common! You’ve just left Barbados and are looking for new challenges in Lockwood. I gave up my nursing career a few years ago and moved away. Now we’ve both come back here at the same time. Fate has put us together, so I can show you that a new start is possible at any time in life, and you can show me the wonders of iced coffee!

I’m LOVING being in the play. Gerda is the best part I’ve ever had and when you get up onstage to show us how it’s done, it’s so much better than when Kevin shouts from his chair. You obviously know more about the theater than he does, although of course he’s very nice. He’s your brother-in-law so you know that!

It’s funny how you’ve noticed things about people, just like I have. Amelia is playing Henrietta very well. Apparently, she used to sing in a musical group and you can tell she has experience. But Lucas and Mark are total beginners and in my opinion it’s lucky they only have small roles.

Lucas and Barry have gotten very close, well, their characters are always together, so they’re bound to. Joyce has mentioned Barry working for Lucas at his club. I don’t go to clubs but think it might be the new one in the center of Mendham, Lunar. Barry’s girlfriend, Myra, has had two babies in two years and is expecting a third. Joyce says he’s making up for Nick being “hopeless with women.”

I keep forgetting you knew a lot of these people years ago! Do you remember Peter? He’s the Hallidays’ middle son. He was in prison for possession, intent to supply, and actual bodily harm. He’s doing well now. Fran will tell you. She helped him like she helped me, at a charity that mentors people who want to make a fresh start. Remember what I told you about her. She’s a very good actor, but as a friend, not so much.

I hate gossip, as it’s so often exaggerated or just plain untrue, so if there’s anything you want to know about the group, just ask me. I’ll see you at the next rehearsal and in the meantime, I’m going to find a recipe for iced coffee I can make at home! Lots of love, Issy xxx

Undated pages from a decorative journal belonging to Isabel Beck:

TODAY

Why was I so anxious? All those bullet points about how worried I was! I’m going to cancel out that negative energy and write some new bullet points! My meeting with Nicky-Rose today was:

Fabulous!

Amazing!

Sensational!

Coffeetastic!

I can’t believe the Fairways’ assistant director, whose last play was on a cruise ship, is MY new bestie! Nicky-Rose is so nice and friendly and (because no one else will read this, I can add) not like her sister at all.