Page 16 of The Silent Appeal

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: