Page 4 of The Silent Appeal

Well, your sister picks her moments. When no one answered at the house she came to the hall to see if we were there. Hope it didn’t steal Kevin’s thunder. She’s asked if she can stay “for a while,” whatever that means. I’ve put her in the little bedroom, but she hasn’t said a word about why she’s back. Didn’t want to pry. Her occasional emails never hinted at anything awry. I’ve got a funny feeling about it. She won’t confide in me. Can you ask her what’s happened? Tread carefully, just in case. Mum

Message exchange between Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Nicky-Rose Dearing on January 3, 2025:

9:03 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Why are you back?

9:04 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Are you pregnant?

9:05 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Is it a man?

9:11 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

A woman?

9:12 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Debts?

9:15 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Not work, surely?

9:28 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

Tell Mum whatever she needs to hear.

To: Carol Dearing

From: Sarah-Jane MacDonald

Date: January 3, 2025

Subject: Re: Nicky-Rose

Everything’s fine, apparently. Fancied a change from Barbados and thought Lockwood as good a place as any. I suppose even working in cruise-ship entertainment gets old after a while. It’s positive news, Mum. We’ve barely seen her for two decades and it was an extra surprise for Kevin’s birthday party.

He was quite thoughtless to be born on the worst day of the year for a party, but everyone who wants to be involved in The Hollow had to show up and that meant a good turnout. Thanks for taking Sammy home overnight, keeping the bash secret, and letting me store the spreadsheets on your laptop.

Sarah-Jane MacDonald

Independent Retail Marketing Consultant

Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on January 3, 2025:

10:09 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Why has Nicky-Rose come back?

10:12 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Actually asking? Or is that a rhetorical question?

10:18 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote: