The Appeal
Page 14
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 23 June 2018 at 14:02
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Sorry to bother you again, but as we were leaving I spotted Claudia having lunch by herself at the Orangery. It’s a shame when someone doesn’t have any friends, don’t you think? Love Issy xxx
FROM: Rupert Allardyce
SUBJECT: Invoice due
DATE: 23 June 2018 at 15:18
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin,
Further to our earlier correspondence, the three-month grace on your payment has expired and the full amount is now due. Our invoice is attached. In the meantime Whites’ solicitors have re-presented their invoice for the disputed work, along with a final-demand letter. The situation is this: the combined amount you owe is now in excess of the value of the work. If you continue to refuse payment, Whites could (and no doubt will) escalate the case against you, which will involve more and more costs, the further the case goes. I say this as a long-time associate of yours: swallow your pride, pay both invoices and close the case. Repair the fence at a later date.
If you want us to take further steps, we would require full payment of outstanding monies and – because you received a period of grace on a previous bill – advance payment in respect of our work to continue this litigation. I can’t advise that course of action. However, it is up to you.
Yours sincerely,
Rupert Allardyce, LLM
Partner, Allardyce & Greene LLP
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Invoice due
DATE: 23 June 2018 at 16:00
TO: Rupert Allardyce
Dear Rupert,
Every penny we have has gone towards my granddaughter’s cancer treatment. But in any case I have no intention of paying Whites for their shoddy work and deceitful practices. I find it abhorrent that they are talking about taking us to court. I will pull finances from somewhere to pay your bill. Please take whatever steps necessary to resolve this case in our favour. Regards, Martin
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Woof
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 14:35
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Don’t want to worry Paige or the Haywards, but Woof hasn’t been himself for a couple of days. Lethargic, off his food. He’s still drinking, so it may just be the warm weather. I performed a healing mantra and sent him white light, but no change. Do you know which vet they use? I’m sure he’s fine, but I’ll get him checked over and tell them in a week or two, when things aren’t so frantic with Poppy and Olivia. Pop some extra raffle tickets through my door and I’ll sell them at my meditation class. You’re coming to the Yogathon? Emma
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 14:41
TO: Emma Crooks
Try the Paws Clinic on St Helen’s Road. Emma, thank you so much for the raffle ticket push. I’ve handed out three books each to the cast and crew of the play, but as not everyone has a wide circle of friends – to put it politely – I’m sure some of those will be returned unsold. We’re offering a prize for the member who sells the most, but at the moment that’s Kevin, which would be embarrassing. Yes, we’ll both be at the Yogathon. Harley would come if he were old enough – not for the yoga, but just to stay up late.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Kevin MacDonald on 25 June 2018:
14:44 Sarah-Jane wrote:
Don’t forget Emma’s Yogathon Saturday night. It’s for Poppy, so no piss-taking. You’ll have to drop Harley off at Greta’s by seven. Mum and Nan are both going, so they can’t have him.
14:50 Kevin wrote:
Can’t make it: post-golf get-together over Simon’s. Take Harley with you. At his age I’d have leapt at the chance to see ladies in Lycra.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Raffle etc.
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 15:54
TO: A Cure for Poppy Fundraising Committee
Dear all,
Thank you for your continued hard work. Our next big fundraising initiative is the raffle, so let’s pull out all the stops to sell tickets. Cameron Hilford will draw the winner on the last night of the play (see below), so we don’t have long. Tickets are £10 each or £100 a book, so emphasise both the good cause and the spectacular prizes on offer.
This Saturday, 30 June 2018, is Emma Crooks’ Midsummer Yogathon, a delightful evening of Zen calm where participants can balance mind, body and soul on the lawn of The Grange as the sun goes down. Emma will host the class from 7 p.m. until midnight, with plenty of breaks for herbal tea and organic sustainable snacks. Tickets are £10 each. It would be good to see the whole committee there, even if you can only come along for an hour or so.
I propose another committee meeting on the Monday of play week (2 July) to assign fundraising jobs on play nights. Several of us are in the play, so it’s important to know who is doing what front-of-house, to keep eyeballs on the appeal and get Poppy’s life-saving drugs over here asap.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald, Campaign Coordinator
FROM: Joyce Walford
SUBJECT: Re: Raffle etc.
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 16:03
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Dear Sarah-Jane, Did you realise we could sell more raffle tickets if they were cheaper? £10 is a lot of money for one ticket. We sell a strip of five for a pound at the club.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Raffle etc.
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 16:04
TO: Joyce Walford
Thanks for the feedback, but we need £250,000, not £2.50.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 16:34
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam! I’ve just received a group email from Sarah-Jane to the fundraising committee. There’s another meeting next Monday. They must want me to take the minutes again – why else would I be on the list? It arrived as I was visiting Olivia and James. I sent them your love. They seem to think she might be allowed home soon, because she only had a minor abruption and the bleeding’s stopped. But between you and me, I sneaked a glance at her chart and she’s on Dexamethasone, so they are obviously looking to induce in the next few days and certainly won’t send her home. I didn’t mention it. She’s thirty-one weeks, so it might be ok. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly and James will be free to take the last few rehearsals. Martin is an amazing director, but he’s not himself at the moment.
Do you think Arnie will be better in time for the play? I’ve already put in a word about him helping, but that was before Kel said he was more poorly than you both expected. I still haven’t noticed YKW behaving any different. Can you remind Claudia? I’m sure she hasn’t spoken to her. I’m a good judge of people and I’ve always felt her to be quite two-faced. Love Issy xxx
FROM: Arnie Ballancore
SUBJECT: Mum
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 17:00
TO: Kel Greenwood
Woke up in a panic. It’s Mum’s birthday next week and I need to get her a present. Left my bank cards in my wallet at home. Sam’s out. She’s been gone all day. Is there any cash in the house I could borrow? I’ll pay you back as soon as Mum sends the wallet. Hate asking, but she’s been so good to me and deserves something nice. Arnie
FROM: Arnie Ballancore
SUBJECT: Re: Mum
DATE: 25 June 2018 at 17:12
TO: Kel Greenwood
Thanks mate. I’ll put the card back after and wipe the PIN number from my memory. You saved my life. I owe you one. Ok to take the spare keys?
FROM: Claudia D’Souza
SUBJECT: Raffle tickets
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 10:36
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hi Sam, hope you enjoyed your rest day. I’ll have two raffle tickets, please,
and will pay you next time we meet. Sincerely hope I don’t win the golf lesson. Still thinking about the Yogathon. Michael has agreed to babysit so I can see the play – don’t want to push my luck when he’s been willing to compromise on that. I’ll forward a couple of vacancies to Isabel shortly. Shall I use the email you sent me or the one on our database? Both positions are at Mount More, and both start after her transfer restrictions expire. When she mentions them, you’ll know to be super-enthusiastic. C x
FROM: Andrea Morley
SUBJECT: Yesterday
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 10:46
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Samantha,
It was lovely to meet you yesterday. I understand what you’re looking for is sensitive, and that your budget is limited, but the more detail I have, the more able I am to source the information you need. May I suggest ‘Helen Grace’ could be a first and middle name, not first and surname? This would make any local-authority search trickier, as death records are more reliably searchable by surname.
Nonetheless I am happy to help you further, subject to a greater understanding of what you require. My fees are attached. I look forward to hearing from you, should you wish to undertake a wider search.
Yours sincerely,
Andrea Morley
Genealogy & Archives
FROM: James Hayward
SUBJECT: Thank you
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 11:49
TO: Isabel Beck
Dearest Issy, it was a pleasure to see you yesterday afternoon. Thank you for popping in and cheering us up. Who’d have thought waiting around in a state of stress could be so boring? The Maltesers are being steadily consumed as I type. Thanks too for the copy of Confusions. I had a flick through while Olivia was snoozing earlier. It’s a large cast. I’m not sure we have enough men for it. And unless we set it in the 1970s, it could come across as dated. There’s no leading female role, so Mum won’t like it. I’ll show it to Dad, but can’t see them going for it at the moment. We’ve had no news yet about whether Olivia can go home. She says she feels better, but she’s still on a drip . . . I doubt I’ll be at the committee meeting Monday, so relying on you to take the minutes and report back. Enjoy the Yogathon, and best of luck for the final rehearsals. James
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:04
TO: Martin Hayward
I don’t know how to tell you this, but Woof needs emergency abdominal surgery. He was off his food and not himself. I thought it was just the hot weather. The vet says he has a ‘major obstruction’ in his small intestine. It might be something he’s eaten and it might be a tumour. Either way, it’s serious. I don’t want to worry Paige and Glen, but I’m in such a state. I thought I did everything right . . .
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:08
TO: Emma Crooks
Oh no. Where is he? I’ll come now and drive him to the PDSA.
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:29
TO: Emma Crooks
Emma? Where are you? Is everything ok? Are you at Paws?
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:36
TO: Martin Hayward
Sorry Martin, I was just with the lady here. I had a panic attack in the waiting room and she showed me a new breathing technique. I’m much better now. She says we mustn’t worry about Woof. He’s in theatre and there’s nothing more we can do, but trust he’s in the best hands. Their group senior surgeon is working on him. Apparently he’s a specialist in this type of surgery and we’re lucky he’s at this practice today. I’m focusing on this as evidence the universe is realigning in our favour. I don’t know what to tell Paige. I’d rather wait and say ‘Woof’s out of danger and on the mend’. But then we risk the total shock of bad news, if things don’t turn out well. Heaven forbid. You know what’s happening with Poppy at the moment, is it a good time? Emma x
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:42
TO: Emma Crooks
It’s not a good time. I’m on my way.
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 12:50
TO: Martin Hayward
Do you have Woof’s insurance details? The bill is £4,000 so far and they’ve already asked who will be paying it. Emma x
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Thank you
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 13:16
TO: James Hayward
Hi James, it was lovely to see Olivia looking so well under the circumstances. Hopefully she’ll be allowed home, but even if she isn’t, the Maternity unit at St Ann’s is lovely. I’m not just saying that because I work at the hospital – I’d never recommend Geriatrics, but that’s another story. What an exciting weekend you’re missing! The Yogathon, Big Sunday rehearsal and the committee meeting. That’s a shame about Confusions, but there are plenty more plays with lots of small parts for less-experienced actors like Sam, Kel and me. I’ve been looking online and started a list in my committee-minutes notebook. When things settle down, I’ll let you know which ones seem most appropriate. I’m sooo looking forward to the Yogathon! I’ve never done yoga properly before, but Sam has, so we’ll put our mats side by side and she’ll show me where I’m going wrong. You can’t beat a friend like that. I’m also hoping to meet Arnie, whose name is down to help out on play nights. Between you and me, he’s been a bit depressed lately. When you’re looking for something to take your mind off your thoughts, I can’t recommend The Fairway Players enough. Love to Olivia and the bumps, Issy xxx
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Yogathon final preps
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 14:00
TO: Emma Crooks
Is there anything more you need me to do for Saturday? I’ve briefed Magda as to what I think you’ll need, but don’t be shy asking for anything else, once you arrive. She’s Polish and very efficient – she’s already got the builders to move their generator around the back. Of course we want to maximise the funds raised, but as the lawn is only so big, we don’t want everyone packed in on top of each other. If we end up with lots more people, would you consider moving the Yogathon to the Horizon Room?
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Yogathon final preps
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 14:09
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Oh SJ, I’m in a bad place. Woof needed major intestinal surgery. Praying it’s a tumour and not something he’s eaten. Please don’t say I’ve killed the family dog, on top of everything else they’re going through. Poor Woof is still in intensive care. I’ve left Martin paying an eye-watering bill. What a horribly stressful day. At the moment I can’t even think about doing the Yogathon. I’ll need to re-centre my mind or I simply won’t be able to focus. Em x
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Kevin MacDonald on 26 June 2018:
14:12 Sarah-Jane wrote:
Here’s the latest: Woof ate something dodgy and needed surgery. Emma is too stressed to do the Yogathon. WTF? I can’t be too hard on her when she’s done so much to help.
14:20 Kevin wrote:
You can take the Yogathon. It can’t be that hard. I mean come on, Paige and Glen have a terminally ill child. They can get another dog.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Yogathon final preps
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 14:22
TO: Emma Crooks
Oh Emma, that must’ve been dreadful for you. But dogs are very resilient. Woof is quite young and they bounce back in no time. You’ve got three whole days to recover and I know you can centre your mind long before then. Woof will be fine. Remember, Paige and Glen have a lot more to worry about and will only
be grateful Woof had you there with him in the end.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Yogathon final preps
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 14:23
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
In the end? Oh my God, what have you heard? Has he passed?
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Yogathon final preps
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 14:25
TO: Emma Crooks
No! No, I haven’t heard a thing. I mean ‘when all’s said and done’. Woof will be fine, Emma, there’s no need to cancel the Yogathon. Is there anything I can do – anything at all – to make you feel better?
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Issy Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Mount More Intranet Portal
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 16:25
TO: Claudia D’Souza
Dear Claudia, Thank you for sending me the link to Mount More’s HR portal. I enjoyed my visit last week, but I’m not ready to leave St Ann’s, so don’t send me any further jobs. Issy
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 26 June 2018 at 16:54
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam, guess what I’ve just picked up dead cheap in TK Maxx? A yoga mat! £4.99, reduced from £15.99. Its packaging is ripped and it’s a bit grubby, but I’ve already wiped it and it’s hanging over the bath. Do you have your own mat? If not, then have this one and I’ll see if they’ve got more in tomorrow. I’m so glad you’re going to be there. I’d feel so self-conscious on my own. We can put our mats side by side so that you can show me what to do. Kel can look after Arnie, and you can look after me! Thank you for your offer of a lift to The Grange on Saturday. I’m delighted to accept. I’ll finally meet Arnie! Yoga can only be good for his depression, but I’d recommend being in a play to really take his mind off things. I can put an extra word in for him at the committee meeting Monday. Love Issy xxx