Page 198 of The Silent Appeal

I really felt for you up there on the stage yesterday.

8:33 a.m. Amelia wrote:

Oh no! Is it obvious?

8:34 a.m. Georgia wrote:

You got a limp.

8:35 a.m. Fran wrote:

The audience won’t notice a thing.

8:37 a.m. Amelia wrote:

In the middle of act two my paracetamol wore off. Thought I was going to faint.

8:40 a.m. Fran wrote:

Is it worth trying the doctor again today? Explain you’re in a play and that you only need stronger painkillers for three nights.

8:42 a.m. Amelia wrote:

I explained all that before. It was still a no. If I had to pull out of the play, what would happen?

8:43 a.m. Fran wrote:

Please don’t say that, Ams! It’s too late to pull out. Perhaps Kevin and Nicky-Rose could rethink some of your moves—they’ve given you a stool to perch on. I can ask if they’d reduce the times you have to cross the stage?

8:47 a.m. Amelia wrote:

I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll think about it. Should try to get some sleep while Lucas is at the gym.

8:48 a.m. Lucas wrote:

Look, everyone calm down. I’ll get her something stronger for play nights.

8:56 a.m. Fran wrote:

We should stick to prescribed medicines, in case there are any unexpected side effects, etc.

8:57 a.m. Lucas wrote:

She’ll be fine.

To: Celia Halliday

From: Emma Crooks

Date: June 2, 2025

Subject: Breathe

Your email was beautiful, Celia. Resist rising to the negativity in Kevin’s response. He’s not himself right now. I know why and I’ll tell you at tonight’s rehearsal. Put it this way, if you were inclined to consider “revenge” to be simply a manual activation of karma, I know the perfect button to press. Namaste, Emma x

To: Emma Crooks

From: Celia Halliday