The Appeal
Page 2
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Rehearsal schedule
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 09:11
TO: Joyce Walford
What’s going on, Joyce? Have Martin and Helen said anything at work about rehearsals?
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Rehearsal schedule
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 09:14
TO: Isabel Beck
Have you been sent a rehearsal schedule? I need to get organised and can’t without dates. I emailed Joyce, who sees Helen and Martin every day. No reply.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Rehearsal schedule
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 09:18
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Hi SJ,
Lovely to hear from you. I’ve not had a rehearsal schedule, either. Sam, Kel and I have cracked on anyway and are learning lines. The accent is so much easier than you’d think, so don’t worry about getting it right. Sam is really enjoying reading through her lines with me. She’s never acted before, but she’s a natural. It’s funny about the rehearsal schedule. Helen and Martin are so busy I don’t like to bother them. Is Harley looking forward to his first grown-up role? How lovely that you, Kevin and Harley are all in the play. Let me know if you want to meet up for line-learning. Love Issy
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Rehearsal schedule
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 09:20
TO: Isabel Beck
I’m not worried about the accent, just dates for rehearsals.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Barry Walford
SUBJECT: Dates
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 10:10
TO: Martin Hayward
Will there be rehearsals on the 6th, 14th, 27th or 31st? The first two are my Krav Maga exams and the others are football. Cheers, Barry
Olufemi Hassan
Charlotte Holroyd
Dear both,
I have asked Sandra to draw up a full list of individuals involved in this case, along with brief notes as to their relationships and connections. You may find this a useful reference to keep your thumb in as you work through the documentation. As it seems to be taking her some time, I am sending you her preliminary document (see below), detailing all the members of The Fairway Players. More anon.
Roderick Tanner, QC
Senior Partner
Tanner & Dewey LLP
The Fairway Players
Martin Hayward, 59, chairperson of The Fairway Players and joint owner of The Grange
Helen Grace-Hayward, 62, secretary of The Fairway Players and joint owner of The Grange
James Hayward, 36, their son
Olivia Hayward, 33, his wife
Paige Reswick, 33 (née Hayward), their daughter
Glen Reswick, 31, her husband
Poppy Reswick, 2, their daughter
Woof, 3, their dog
Sarah-Jane MacDonald, 34 (née Dearing)
Kevin MacDonald, 37, her husband
Harley MacDonald, 10, their son
Carol Dearing, 61, Sarah-Jane’s mother
Margaret Dearing, 88, mother of Carol and Shelley, grandmother of Sarah-Jane
Shelley Dearing, 63, Carol’s sister, Sarah-Jane’s aunt
Isabel Beck, 29, staff nurse, Elderly Care at St Ann’s hospital
Lauren Malden, 29, former staff nurse, Elderly Care at St Ann’s Hospital
Josh, 30, her boyfriend
Lauren’s mother, c. 57
Kel Greenwood, 34, staff nurse, Mental Health, St Ann’s Hospital
Samantha Greenwood, 34, staff nurse, Elderly Care, St Ann’s Hospital
Joyce Walford, 63, tea lady at The Fairway Players and retired receptionist at The Grange
Nick Walford, 33, her son
Barry Walford, 28, her son
Harry, 62, Joyce’s partner
John O’Dea, 56, treasurer
Denise Malcolm, 59, wardrobe and make-up
Steve Malcolm, 60, her husband
Marianne Payne, 48, wardrobe and make-up
Mick Payne, 51, her husband
Karen Payne, 26, their daughter
Jackie Marsh, 23, currently travelling
Joel Halliday, 54, set designer
Celia Halliday, 55, his wife
Beth Halliday, 16, their daughter
Charlotte
I’m up to Barry Walford’s martial-arts exam and literally nothing has happened except auditions for a play. Where are you in all this?
Femi
Further than that. Keep going.
Charlotte
Do we need to read All My Sons? The script is online.
Femi
No. Whatever this is, it’s not about a play.
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 14:47
TO: Current Members
Dear all,
I apologise for the unanswered calls, texts, messages and emails. As you know, Helen refuses to embrace electronic means of communication, so it falls to me to send this email. There is no easy way to say this, but here it is: our darling granddaughter Poppy has been diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer. We are reeling, devastated, not least because it came completely out of the blue after a routine check-up.
For new members who don’t know us: Paige is our daughter, she and her husband Glen have Poppy, who is just two; and James is our son. His wife Olivia is pregnant with twins, which hasn’t been straightforward, either.
The last few weeks have been a whirl of tests, scans, meetings, decisions and lots of tears. But tears don’t cure cancer. If only. The doctors are in the process of drawing up a treatment plan, while Paige and Helen are sourcing options and opinions from around the world. The Hayward women are made of stern stuff without a doubt.
We have seriously considered cancelling The Fairway Players’ production of All My Sons, and for a while assumed we would. But now we’ve had some time to get used to this – our new status as a family living with cancer – we’ve taken the decision to continue with the play. The doctors have impressed upon us how important it is for the family to maintain a sense of normality and not let this diagnosis take over all our lives, so . . . the show must go on.
I will, however, step down as director. James will direct and I’ll assist when I can. Of course Paige will no longer be involved, but – for the moment at least – Helen will continue as Kate Keller. It’s a large role, but Helen is blessed with unflagging energy and is keener than ever to stay occupied. She’ll need to support Paige and Glen whenever required, so please take the Rehearsal Schedule attached as a work in progress.
Thanks, everyone, for your understanding. Regards, Martin
FROM: John O’Dea
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 14:59
TO: Martin Hayward
Sorry to hear this sad news. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 15:08
TO: Martin Hayward
Dearest Helen, Martin and family, I am in shock. Poor Poppy. My heart goes out to you all. Send my love to Helen and Paige. Assure them that if they need anything, however small, you know where we are. I remember when Harley fell off his bike and had a severe concussion. It was the worst few hours of my life, so I know how you must be feeling.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Denise Malcolm
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 15:15
TO: Martin Hayward
My second cousin had a brain tumour many years ago. They gave him an operation where they sawed off his skull and scraped the tumour out while he was awake. He’s been fine ever since and turns sixty next year. Poppy is so young and the doctors are so clever, they can do anything. She will be fine, don’t you worry. God bless, Denise
FROM: Marianne Payne
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 15:20
TO: Martin Hayward
Oh Martin, I’m so sorry to hear this. Please send my love to Helen and Paige. I’ve known you all so long, it’s like a member of my own family is ill. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, and if you need anything, just ask. At times like these you feel so helpless, don’t you? But there’s nothing you can do. Just trust the doctors, know she’s in the best place and pray she can fight it. Well, if little Poppy is anything like her mum and grandma, she will beat this. I will light a candle in church on Sunday. All my love, Marianne
FROM: Joyce Walford
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 15:22
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin and Helen,
It’s been nothing but bad news this week. My friend from school died suddenly on Sunday: heart attack at sixty-three. On Tuesday Harry had a call back from his annual scan, so we don’t know how that’s going to end. Yesterday my lovely neighbour called round to say she had cancer of the pancreas. Now little Poppy is poorly. Life can be so cruel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Joyce, Harry and the boys
FROM: Jackie Marsh
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 17:41
TO: Martin Hayward
I;’m on hoiday in Marrakesh but want to say how shocked I to hear about poppy that am praying for her to make a quick recovery. Chin up all she will get better I know.x
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9
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FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Poppy
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 17:50
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin and Helen,
Thank you for taking the time to let us all know. I am so sorry you are going through this. Cancer is a long road, but treatment has improved in recent years, so there’s no reason to think Poppy can’t beat it. Which tumour does she have? Is she under St Ann’s? You know I work in Geriatrics there, so does the new girl Sam (Kel is in Psychiatrics), so we’ll do all we can to help out. Love Issy
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: A quick suggestion
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 17:56
TO: James Hayward
Dear James,
I’m so sorry to hear the news about Poppy. A diagnosis like that is tough on the whole family. Hope you and Olivia (and the bumps) are doing ok. This is just a quick suggestion. As Paige has had to pull out of All My Sons, you’ll be re-casting the role of Lydia. This is just to let you know I’ve been helping Sam and Kel with their lines and have already bought the script. I’m exactly the right age for Lydia and am happy to do it. Love Issy
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 18:54
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hi Sam,
Gutting news about little Poppy. Hope it’s one of the more responsive tumours (I’ve asked). Nice of James to step up and direct, when he’s got a lot going on too. They are a lovely family. James hasn’t got back to me about the role of Lydia. I’m dying to ask if he’s made a decision, but he’s got so many more serious things to think about. One moment I’m excited about possibly doing it – and the next my heart sinks, because it’s so unlikely. I don’t fancy my chances against Beth or Emma (the Haywards are very close to Beth’s parents, and Emma is Paige’s best friend), so my hope is they have other plans. Sorry we won’t see each other today – staggered breaks, boo – Love Issy
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Sorry!
DATE: 21 April 2018 at 18:59
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Sorry, sorry, totally forgot what I started to email you about. I’ve been thinking over what you said – about the attitude of the A-team at work. You’re right, they are inexperienced and she isn’t the best people-manager in the world (understatement alert), but I’ve always found Geriatrics like that. It’s where staff ‘end up’ rather than where they choose to be. Speak to anyone on that ward and they’ll tell you what they’d rather be doing. You can’t change it. I avoid the difficult ones, ignore all the bitching and focus on the patients. Try to do the same – you’ll be fine. Love Issy
FROM: Beth Halliday
SUBJECT: Re: All My Sons
DATE: 22 April 2018 at 13:09
TO: James Hayward
CC: Martin Hayward
Hi James, thanks for the offer to be Lydia in the play. Sorry, but I’ve got my GCSEs. Thank you, though, Beth
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: All My Sons
DATE: 22 April 2018 at 13:49
TO: James Hayward
CC: Martin Hayward
So sorry, but I can’t take on Paige’s part in the play. I’m already covering her classes at The Grange and dog-sitting Woof – they can’t have him in the house because he’s a risk of infection and, as you know, he’s a little shit, only not so little. Anyway, my heart wouldn’t be in it, not now. So sorry, hope you find someone. What about the mousy girl who played the maid last time? Emma
FROM: James Hayward
SUBJECT: All My Sons
DATE: 22 April 2018 at 14:19
TO: Isabel Beck
CC: Martin Hayward
Dearest Issy, I thought to myself ‘Who can possibly play Lydia?’ and you were the first in mind. The part is yours. Here’s the revised rehearsal schedule. Look forward to working with you, James
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Yaaaaaay!
DATE: 22 April 2018 at 14:22
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Yippee! I’ve got the part! James said I’d read it so well in the initial auditions I was the first he thought of. Hope you’re feeling better about work, now you’ve had a bit longer to get used to it. It’s so lovely to have a friend on the ward again. Lauren and I trained together and both ended up here for a while, but she left a year ago. Hope nights are calm and uneventful for you this week. Can’t wait to catch up again – love to Kel – tell him he’d better watch out, now we are married (in the play, I mean)! Love Issy
FROM: Claudia D’Souza
SUBJECT: Thank you
DATE: 23 April 2018 at 10:03
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Sam,
It was lovely chatting with you yesterday about your first month at St Ann’s and all things Africa. Sadly, my window for humanitarian volunteering closed about ten years ago, but I can still dream . . .
I know you want to keep it informal, but the issues you raise are very serious and I want to address them here. I will precis as follows:
1. Poor standards of engagement among staff.
2. Lack of perception among staff that family members of the elderly can be as needful of care and understanding as the patient. You cite best practice in Paediatrics as the ideal.
3. A culture of intimidation that precludes staff from addressing the issues above.
4. Incidents of ‘bullying’ involving one member of staff in particular.
We welcome feedback and guarantee anonymity for anyone who reports unacceptable behaviour by colleagues. If you wish to make a formal complaint re points 1–3 above, I can open the official channels for you.
I have worked at St Ann’s for twelve years and will say that Elderly Care has always been subject to a high turnover of staff. It is an unpopular discipline and we find it difficult attracting and keeping experienced colleagues. You are quite right to say patients and their families deserve more engaged care, and Paediatrics is holistic in this respect. Perhaps colleagues more readily engage with the worried parents of vulnerable young children than they do with difficult elderly patients and their stressed middle-aged relatives?
We are working to improve our staff engagement all the time. You’ll have seen
the CPD notices in the staffroom, plus some minor restructuring in the next six months will place care teams in smaller groups than at present. Hopefully you will see the situation improve.
Re point 4 above. St Ann’s has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and I would say to impress upon this colleague that she can contact her line manager – or my department – at any time. I appreciate that she is non-confrontational, but victims must come forward in person for the correct procedures to be initiated.
Again Sam, thank you for our chat and I look forward to seeing you again next month for your eight-week appraisal.
Yours, Claudia D’Souza
Human Resources Manager
St Ann’s Hospital
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Morning!
DATE: 24 April 2018 at 05:19
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam,
Hope everything was ok on the ward last night. I’m just about to leave for another uplifting day in Jelly Antics myself. Sorry you and Kel missed the rehearsal. We had a technical walk-through for Act Two, so it was a bit chaotic. Between you and me, James isn’t as decisive as his dad, so it felt as if everyone was trying to direct. At least I got to be Lydia for the first time! It’s so good to forget everything for a couple of hours. The Haywards never cease to amaze me. Helen is such a trouper. She’s already got the accent and you can see she’ll blow people away with her portrayal of the mother. Who’d have thought her granddaughter was seriously ill and her daughter so worried? You never know what people are going through inside. I wanted to find out more about Poppy’s diagnosis but didn’t get a chance. They haven’t asked me any medical questions, have they you? They must have people on all sides offering opinions and advice. I suppose it makes a change from friends who are forever telling you their symptoms. See you soon. Love Issy
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane MacDonald and James Hayward on 24 April 2018:
09:41 Sarah-Jane wrote:
I know I was outspoken last night, but are you sure that drippy girl is the best choice to play Lydia? Give me a few days and I’ll talk Emma round.