The Appeal
Page 18
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Committee meeting
DATE: 2 July 2018 at 22:17
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
CC: James Hayward
Thank you, Sarah-Jane. I’ll email everyone tomorrow. Regards, Martin
FROM: Dr Sonja Ajanlekoko
SUBJECT: Re: help
DATE: 2 July 2018 at 23:30
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Samantha,
I am sorry to hear that. I really am. You deserve every happiness God can provide. Yes, I can make a case for you to return to the CAR in some manner. Perhaps when a year has passed. If you can get to Johannesburg under your own steam, then so much the better. I have heard only unconfirmed reports of the news, but it does not surprise me. We no longer make a presence in that region, due to the dangerous nature. Independent workers fare badly in those circumstances. Leave me to look into things here and I will keep you in the loop.
Blessings, Sonja
Dr Sonja Ajanlekoko, MBBS (Nigeria) 2008, DRCOG
Project Coordinator, Médecins Sans Frontières
FROM: Lauren Malden
SUBJECT: Well done!
DATE: 2 July 2018 at 23:41
TO: Isabel Beck
Oh. My. God. Mum told me what happened at the Yogathon. She said you were the hero, tackling a drunk and violent man and saving the day. Clever girl! Go on, spill the beans, what happened? New boyfriend? Only joking! Hey, guess what? I saw a spiritual counsellor the other day. She said I am an intensely passionate woman with a block. So something is stopping me achieving my full potential and reaching the degree of spiritual fulfilment I crave. I told her about what happened and how badly it affected me, but that I got out and it’s the bravest thing I ever did. We won’t make the play, but let me know all the hot goss. Kiss kiss, L xx
DRAFTS FOLDER:
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Well done!
DATE: 2 July 2018 at 23:45
TO: Lauren Malden
What do you mean ‘how badly it affected me’? It didn’t affect you because they blamed me. We were friends, so I didn’t want to snitch on you. I thought we could share the blame to the outside world, but between us, we’d know you did it. I thought you’d be so grateful you’d be my friend forever. I was so shocked when you told them it was me. You knew I wouldn’t be able to tell them the truth then, because it would mean admitting to them I lied before. Even if I did, it wasn’t as bad a lie as you telling them I did it. Now you believe it yourself – that I’m the one who made the mistake. Do you really believe I did it, or are you just rewriting history in my head as well as your own?
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Well done!
DATE: 2 July 2018 at 23:53
TO: Lauren Malden
It was nothing really. I can’t say too much as it’s confidential, but yes, I helped sort everything out, take the man to hospital and get him the help he needs. Sam and Kel didn’t realise how poorly he was, but I could see there was something wrong with him from the moment I got in the car. It’s funny how when someone is in an extreme state they tell the truth. You know what a good judge I am of people. Well, I was right about Claudia. Issy
FROM: Kevin MacDonald
SUBJECT: H
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 08:15
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
How is he? I kissed him goodbye, but it was so early he was still asleep. If he’s no better, he can miss the tech rehearsal. Martin will understand. A Julian Maher will contact you at some point: be charming – it’s Colin’s journalist friend.
FROM: Claudia D’Souza
SUBJECT: Appraisal
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 08:59
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Ms Greenwood,
I need to organise an appraisal for you. Please see the list of available time slots below and tick the most convenient one. I will book the Gladstone Room in HR, where we can talk privately and won’t be disturbed.
Yours, Claudia D’Souza
Human Resources Manager
St Ann’s Hospital
Police Incident Report
Date: 1 July 2018
Location: 42 Victoria Gardens, Lockley Bois
Reporting officer: Constable Warwick Turner
Details of crime: Breaking and entering, theft, assault, ABH, false imprisonment
Crime number: 11346778-08
On the morning of 1 July officers arrived at the premises following a 999 call made by the owner, Mr Robert Green, 63. On arrival, they found Mr Green in a distraught state in the front garden, being comforted by neighbours. He told officers he had been the victim of a burglary/assault during the course of which he was tortured regarding the whereabouts of an artwork he had sold some years before. On failing to find the artwork, three masked assailants commenced a messy search of the house, stealing money, jewellery and other small valuables. They left the victim blindfolded, gagged and tied to a radiator. He indicated that the perpetrators gained access to the house on the afternoon of the previous day – Saturday 30 June 2018. He says they broke in through French windows and spent around an hour there before fleeing. It took the victim sixteen hours to work his way free and raise the alarm.
Perpetrator descriptions:
Male 1 – white, medium build, dark hair, London accent
Male 2 – white, stocky build, gravelly voice, London accent
Male 3 – white, light build, slow voice (like a drawl), indeterminate accent
Notes: The victim gave officers the names of people who might believe he was still in possession of the artwork. As he had been due to travel away from home that weekend, he suggested the intruders were not expecting to find him in. They did not seem to be armed; however, they used items in the house as weapons, including a wooden figurine and a long metal antique shoehorn. Despite being bruised, the victim repeatedly declined officers’ polite suggestions that he should go to hospital. The victim has an extensive collection of African crafts. Male 3 correctly identified and then stole a Healing Doll, picture attached, meaning he must have some knowledge or experience of such cultural artefacts.
* The victim requests the violent nature of the attack remain out of the media. Initial press releases should give only sparse details of items stolen, until possible dispersal channels are ruled out.
FROM: Priti Panchal
SUBJECT: Query IB23436008 978 PP
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 09:43
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Ms Greenwood,
I’ve examined the activity on your accounts and notice that a series of withdrawals were made using your husband’s debit card and the correct PIN. It seems maximum withdrawals were made until the current account reached its overdraft limit and the savings account was empty. As the card isn’t reported stolen, could anyone in your household have used it? We often find people forget they’ve made withdrawals, only to remember at a later date. I do hope you understand I can’t sanction a time-consuming search of CCTV footage without more evidence a crime has taken place. I’m sorry not to be of any further help.
Yours sincerely,
Priti Panchal
Customer Services
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT:
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 09:59
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Dear Tish, I understood the active ingredients will be good for at least another month. Regards, Martin
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re:
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 11:48
TO: Martin Hayward
Martin, I have a lot on my plate at the moment. The phials will last a bit longer, but I am concerned the delay will prove detrimental to the integrity of the contents. Please consider taking out a loan against your assets. The conventional chemotherapy drugs are now making Poppy very ill and I don’t want her immune system to slip below the strength required for the new combination. Keep me informed. Tish
FROM: Ian Levy
SUBJECT: Daniel Bhatoa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 12:58
TO: Dr Tish Bhatoa
Dear Dr Bhatoa,
Further to your calls regarding the last-known whereabouts of your brother Dr Daniel Bhatoa, I can only tell you that reports on the ground confirm he moved from Bangui several months ago and has not been seen since. He left shortly after funding for his women’s health clinic was refused. I have no idea why he led you to believe he was still there, but the possibility that he travelled east into remote and war-torn territory is a very real one. Perhaps he did not want you to worry.
As you know, that region suffers from violent clashes as well as sparse electricity and water, so few aid agencies maintain a presence there. Furthermore, the local populations, such as they are, tend to be displaced peoples, migrants and refugees fleeing fighting elsewhere, so there are cultural and language barriers to the transmission of information. Having said that, I understand Daniel Bhatoa has a reputation for not only surviving the most adverse situations, but also thriving in them. He is experienced in the field, with good local knowledge and language skills. We need not assume the worst just yet.
I have made enquiries where I can and you are welcome to make your own via your contacts at DfID and any other source you think may have more information. If I have any confirmed news, of course I will let you know immediately.
Very best of luck,
Ian Levy
Africa Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
FROM: Ravi Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re: Fwd: Daniel Bhatoa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 13:32
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Thanks for forwarding the email, Tish. Fuck it. I’ve told Mum he’s in touch with you. This guy says not to assume the worst . . . Look, we know Dan. He falls in shit and comes up smelling of roses. The email practically says as much. Why didn’t he mention he’d left Bangui? I thought he said his funding had been renewed? He sure as shit wasn’t thinking of us, because he’s never thought of anyone else in his whole life. Did they make it hard for him in Bangui after the accusations? Perhaps, for once, it stuck to him. Look, sit tight. We’ve known for years this could happen at any time. He’ll be in touch as soon as he can. Rav
Item published in the Lockwood Gazette online 3 July and in print 6 July 2018:
HEARTLESS THUGS BEAT MAN, 63, IN DAYLIGHT BURGLARY
Three men wearing face masks and anoraks ambushed retired art and antiques dealer Robert Green, 63, in his home in Victoria Gardens, Lockley Bois on Saturday afternoon (30 June). Police say the men gained access to the house from the rear, probably via the cricket ground on Green Lane, and spent around an hour in the property before making off with various small antiques, jewellery and African crafts. Police are appealing for witnesses who saw anything suspicious in the area on Saturday afternoon, and especially those houses and businesses with CCTV cameras. The three men were all white with English accents and appeared knowledgeable about art and antiques.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 13:40
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam! Aw, sorry to see you’re not in work again. I’m really going to miss you today and hope your tummy’s getting better. If not, then let me know and I’ll pick up some Imodium from Boots on my way home. You know what we say: the show must go on! It’s tech rehearsal tonight, dress tomorrow and then opening night on Thursday. Gulp! Yikes! And yay! One minute I feel sick with nerves and the next so, so excited. Then I remember this time next week it’ll all be over and my heart sinks. I’ve decided to make a new list in my committee notebook about all the things we can do over the summer. Jogging and yoga come to mind, but we can have a chat about other things. Perhaps lunch at the Orangery tomorrow? I’m attaching a link to a little story in the Gazette, just in case Arnie saw anything when he visited his friend on Saturday. It’s about a nasty burglary in Lockley Bois – an old man was beaten up. I’m glad to hear Arnie’s new medication is working. I hope you agree it’s still a bit too soon for him to come to the play. Let me know about the Imodium. Lots of love, Issy xxxx
FROM: Julian Maher
SUBJECT: Colin Brasher
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 13:59
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Dear Mrs MacDonald,
I’m writing an article for the Gazette network about Colin Brasher’s donation to some little girl’s charity. I’ll take a photograph of Colin with the girl and her mum, ideally in a hospital bed. Is she bald? Great, thanks for organising. Jules
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 14:08
TO: Full Mailing List
CC: A Cure for Poppy
Dear all,
I start every letter with an apology, but this apology is far more soul-destroying and humiliating than I ever imagined writing. It chokes me to tell you that, after all your hard work and dedication to raising money for Poppy, I have lost £80,000 of it. I could blame the fraudster who posed as an investment banker and promised to raise significant funds in a very short time, but it was I who desperately wanted to believe her and handed the money over. I did this despite warnings from those around me, so mea culpa.
They say you can’t con an honest man and every victim of fraud is at least guilty of greed. After this experience, I have to agree. For some time I’ve been aware that the £250,000 we need for the new drug combination is only the start of Poppy’s cure. We will need at least four batches if she is to make a long-term recovery, bringing the total figure required to £1 million. I wanted to raise those funds quickly, and without relying on the relentless hard work of so many good people who have more than enough to worry about in their own lives. Then, just as I despaired we would ever reach our target, along came a woman who said she could help.
Please be aware that those who knew what I was considering tried to talk me out of it. This includes the lovely Sarah-Jane, whose firm advice I bitterly regret ignoring. My son James and son-in-law Glen were also sceptical, but while James has been at Olivia’s side in hospital, Glen has been my rock. Indeed, it was Glen who finally uncovered the fraud when he returned to his old workplace in the City yesterday and, with the help of some ex-colleagues, tried to uncover the fund we had supposedly invested in. I am afraid there is no doubt. The £80,000 has disappeared, along with the woman who targeted our family in the coldest, most calculating way possible.
There is no more to be said. I am so, so sorry. Regards, Martin
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 14:22
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin,
I’m so sorry. While it is not a total surprise, I had hoped you were right about Lydia Drake and we would see a motivating increase in funds, due to her involvement. I assume you have told the police or are going to? I wasn’t intending to mention this until after the play, but Colin recently helped us identify the device used to send the Clive Handler emails. He may be able to help you discover who is behind Lydia Drake (which I’m assuming isn’t her real identity).
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Message from Kevin MacDonald to Sarah-Jane MacDonald on 3 July 2018:
14:23 Kevin wrote:
Shit! What a plonker. Have the police said anything? Presumably this isn’t the first time she’s done it. We’ll have to tell Colin. It’ll sound like we’re fishing for more cash. Would be great if he stumps up to replace the money lost, but can’t expect him to. Harley is forwarding promotional emails for a new PlayStation game, so take it he is feeling better?
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Colin Brasher
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 14:46
TO: Julian Maher
Dear Julian,
Further to your email, there have been some developments in this story. Colin may not be aware of them yet and, quite frankly, af
ter his generosity and support, I am dreading the moment I tell him. The appeal has been scammed to the tune of £80,000. A woman who called herself Lydia Drake promised Martin Hayward, Poppy’s grandfather, that she could provide inflated returns on his money by investing in high-risk, high-return funds. He was vulnerable, as you can imagine, and handed over money raised by the campaign. I am fuming with anger that someone is callous enough to steal from a sick child, and a distraught family, like this. Would you be able to expose this fraud in such a way as to warn other potentially vulnerable people? It may also be a way to raise replacement funds for the appeal and help it reach a wider audience. Any ideas you may have, or help you could give us, would be very much appreciated.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 15:02
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
You know who Clive Handler was? Who is it? Someone we know? Why haven’t you said? Regards.
FROM: Joyce Walford
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 15:10
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Joyce
FROM: Marianne Payne
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 15:26
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin, Why would anyone do something like that? A woman as well! She must have no kids of her own, if she’s prepared to steal from a sick child. Mick can’t believe it, and I know Karen will be shocked when she hears. What have the police said? They’ll trace where the money’s gone and can seize it back, too. We know, because Mick’s cousin got in with the wrong crowd a few years ago and that’s what they did to him. Of course that was nothing like this. He only stole off other drug dealers, and even then just for revenge. Oh, Martin, please don’t blame yourself. You did what you thought was best at the time. It’s not your fault there are these people in the world. All our love, Marianne, Mick and Karen x