Page 192 of The Silent Appeal

4:46 p.m. Kevin wrote:

A.k.a. the plague pit. You do know we can’t be ill during play week?

4:50 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

I do. Everything is on hold. Anger, horror, grief, betrayal. It all goes on the back burner while we focus on the production. Not just because of the NADAs but because that’s what the Fairway Players do. It’s not about us, it’s about the play. The show must go on.

To: Celia Halliday

From: Emma Crooks

Date: June 1, 2025

Subject: The sculpture

Kevin says it’s upset Issy. Barry says it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen. Nicky-Rose says it’s too modern. Joyce asked when I’m bringing in the real statue. Denise says she has a straw hat if I want to cover the hole in its head—only that’s a crack to represent the broken nature of the Cristows’ marriage.

I was aiming for a figure that represented the character as a universal theme. It depicts Gerda as a woman wronged by her husband and society—even by this play, if I’m honest.

What do you think of the sculpture, Celia? Emma x

To: Emma Crooks

From: Celia Halliday

Date: June 1, 2025

Subject: Re: The sculpture

Well, it’s certainly unexpected. It gives Doctor Who vibes, as Beth says. Did Kevin know it was going to look like that?

I have a question about the mobile phone. On the little screen you’ve stuck a photograph of Sarah-Jane as if she’s the lock-screen image, but her eyes are two big black dots. It’s rather alarming. Of course, you’d not see it unless you were up close, but I wonder what you mean by that?

Would it be too much trouble to go back to the drawing board and just do a quick naked woman? Joel and I are both up for NADAs and we don’t want a cartoon monster pulling focus from our big scenes. Celia

To: Celia Halliday

From: Emma Crooks

Date: June 1, 2025

Subject: Re: The sculpture

Why does Sarah-Jane have no eyes? Sometimes we can’t see what’s right in front of us. I can make two simple female figures. But they won’t tell the whole story, Celia. Namaste, Emma x

Message exchange between Nick and Barry Walford on June 1, 2025:

5:12 p.m. Nick wrote:

Why is Lucas asking Mark about body bags? Don’t shit me.

5:15 p.m. Barry wrote:

Not what you think, bro.

5:15 p.m. Nick wrote:

So tell me why.