The Appeal
Page 19
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 16:27
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin, I am so sorry to hear this. I can’t even imagine having that amount of money, let alone having it and losing it. Don’t worry. With the play this week, we could raise at least some of it back. And even if it takes longer than you thought to get Poppy’s new drug, she is at least still having chemotherapy and the Oncology department at Mount More is very well respected. I did a placement there during my training and haven’t been back since, but St Ann’s is part of the same Healthcare Trust and you get to hear the strengths and weaknesses of all the different departments. I’m sure no one is blaming you for trying to increase the funds quickly. Anyone would, in your situation. Hopefully this won’t affect All My Sons, as the whole group has been working so hard to make it the best it could ever be. I know Sam, Kel and I are soooo excited and proud to be part of it. You know what they say: the show must go on! Love Issy xxx
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 16:36
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hi Sam! Gasp! Have you read Martin’s email? £80,000 down the drain. That’s sooo much money! Fancy Martin falling for a confidence trick! He always comes across as so rational and in charge. It just goes to show how stress and desperation can lead people to behave out of character. I’ve sent him a rallying email, assuring him we’re all behind the play. The last thing we need is to disrupt the performance nights. I pointed out that Poppy is having chemo anyway, so it’s not as if she’s not being treated. I didn’t want to say, in as many words, but these new drugs may not be a cure anyway. The first thing I thought, all those weeks ago, was that they would be no better than existing treatment. You get carried away on a tide of hope, don’t you? Really looking forward to the technical rehearsal tonight. Don’t worry: it’s not really for us. It’s just to get lights, sound and backstage all cued up and clued up. Although the full dress isn’t until tomorrow, I’m going to wear my costume anyway. I feel much more in character when I’m dressed in the right clothes! Just think – the day after tomorrow it’ll be opening night and I’ll be frantically emailing you all day to tell you, time and again, how nervous I am . . . and you’ll tell me time and again that nerves give your performance an edge, and that’ll make me feel better – for a few minutes! Hope you and Kel are looking forward to it as much as I am! Lots of love, Issy xxxxx
FROM: Jackie Marsh
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 16:54
TO: Martin Hayward
need my donation to Poppy’s appeal back now. You know about stuff – reverse the transaction or something. I didn’t mean to odnate so much anyway so it’s not like I want it back It’s rea;;y important.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9
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Item published in the Lockwood Gazette online 3 July 2018:
HUNT FOR £80K CANCER CHARITY FRAUDSTER
by Julian Maher
A charity raising money for a toddler’s cancer treatment has been conned out of £80,000. Two-year-old Poppy Reswick, shown here with her mother Paige and local crooner Tony Zucchero at the launch of the appeal, was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma earlier this year and her best chance of a cure was said to be a new drug only available in the US. Friends and family set up A Cure for Poppy to raise £250,000 for the first round of treatment, and the cash rolled in. Then an investment banker calling herself Lydia Drake approached Poppy’s grandfather, Martin Hayward, 59, and promised to increase the funds to £1m in as little as three months. ‘I wanted to raise 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,’ he explains. ‘Just as I despaired we would ever reach our target, along came a woman who said she could help.’ It wasn’t until weeks later the family realised Ms Drake had disappeared, along with the £80,000 she had been paid. More information about the appeal can be found at www.wefund.com/acureforpoppy
FROM: Julian Maher
SUBJECT: Re: Colin Brasher
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:18
TO: Martin Hayward
Here’s a link to the story about your missing £80,000. I’m updating it live online, so let me know asap:
• Name of the police team dealing with the case and their public contact details.
• Description of Lydia Drake and any info she gave you about herself: e.g. CV, office address – anything.
• A recent photo of yourself, Poppy and her mum looking sad.
• Donation details for readers who want to send money to replace the stolen funds. I’ve put the website at the bottom of the online story, but a postal address is better for our print edition.
Cheers, Jules
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:29
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
I’ve been contacted by a journalist. There’s an article online about Lydia Drake. I’m just this minute reading it.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:36
TO: Martin Hayward
Brilliant! Hopefully this will help us: a) find Lydia Drake; and b) publicise the fraud, so we can raise the money back that much quicker. I’m impressed by Julian’s speed. Very efficient. What have the police said? Do they know Ms Drake?
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:40
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Sarah-Jane, this article must be taken down NOW. I DO NOT want this episode in the public domain. It won’t do us, or the appeal, any good at all. For goodness’ sake!
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:49
TO: Martin Hayward
Martin, I know you’re ashamed and humiliated to have fallen for a confidence trick, but this is how criminals like Drake are caught. It’s also how other people avoid falling for similar scams in future. However embarrassed you are, this is all for the best – check the appeal page – new donations have been rolling in steadily since the story went live. Think of this as another stage in the fundraising process. Surely the police have advised you to tell as many people as possible . . . You have reported this to the police, Martin?
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 17:53
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
No. I don’t want this out there. Contact them and get the article taken down, removed from searches, whatever it is they do. We can’t have the police poking into everything. I’m sorry, but this is a family matter now. I’m blocking Julian Maher, and don’t want you to tell him anything, either. Let this story die.
Message from Kevin MacDonald to Sarah-Jane MacDonald on 3 July 2018:
18:02 Kevin wrote:
I know, but what can we do? Colin’s happy to run a check on Lydia’s email codes, so I’ve forwarded the message she sent to me. He thinks she’ll be part of a larger operation and will have covered her tracks, but he’ll let us know if anything comes up. If it identifies an individual, we’ll go to the police ourselves – after the play.
FROM: Claudia D’Souza
SUBJECT: Appraisal
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:02
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Dear Sam,
I take it, from your lack of reply, that you don’t want to meet with me. I understand, I really do. You must be feeling terrible, and that’s only to be expected. Kel told me all about what happened in Africa and I’m sorry. I just want to let you know how difficult th
is is for us, too. Both Kel and I have been going through hell these last few weeks. Believe me, if we could walk away from each other, we would. Our feelings are stronger than both of us. Kel wanted to tell you himself and was waiting for your play to be over. He didn’t have anyone to talk to, and confided in Arnie before his condition was apparent. If he thought there was a danger he’d blurt it all out like that, he’d never have mentioned it. What’s done is done. We are all just passengers now. I’m going to tell Michael and the kids this week, I promise. He’s back tomorrow and I have to find the right moment. Claudia
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:05
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam! Glad you’re feeling better for the tech rehearsal tonight. I’m outside the hall now, but it’s all locked up. That’ll teach me to get here half an hour early. Still, it’s a nice warm evening, so I can sit here and watch the world go by. I’ve been thinking about Claudia and the fact she’s not returning your messages. Do you think she’s friendly with YKW, so hasn’t said anything to her? It’s just, I was in the staffroom on afternoon break and Gaynor asked how the play was going. YKW literally stepped in front of me and said, ‘Gaynor, I want to know all about your spa weekend . . .’ and cut me off completely. (Gaynor could have said, ‘Excuse me, Frances, but Issy is telling me about her play. I can speak to you about the spa weekend in a minute’ – like I know you would’ve done – but she didn’t.) I just had to stand there and wait while Gaynor told her about the spa and YKW gasped and cooed, as if Gaynor had stayed on the moon or something, not just a hotel with a swimming pool (which we all know she can’t afford). Perhaps there’s something wrong with Claudia’s email address? Did you realise her husband works in the PR office at St Ann’s? His name’s on the Intranet. So if we need to, we can always go through him.
Ah, here’s Martin to open up. Between you and me, he looks very pale. I won’t mention anything about the fund money. He probably wants to forget. See you and Kel soon. Lots of love, Issy
Handwritten inside a cheap condolence card sent to Tish Bhatoa at her Mount More work address:
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Card
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:14
TO: Ravi Bhatoa
First pic is the front of the card, second pic inside. Arrived at MM with a first-class stamp, local postmark. I haven’t told anyone Dan’s missing. If it’s true, then how does anyone know, if we don’t? Who would send something like this?
FROM: Ravi Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re: Card
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:16
TO: Tish Bhatoa
I’m on my way over. Callous as it is, someone obviously knows something. We have to prepare Mum for bad news. Don’t do anything yet. We’ll ring round together when I’m there.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Woof
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:00
TO: Emma Crooks
How is Woof? I keep meaning to pop in and say hi, but work, the play and the appeal keep getting in the way. You didn’t miss much at the committee meeting. We just ascribed fundraising roles for play nights. I’m sitting in the car outside the hall, but can’t go in yet because drippy Issy is hanging around outside. James wanted her to take the minutes last night, but she’s friends with Sam, so I didn’t want her anywhere near the committee. Ah, the Hallidays have just pulled up. If you need my mum to watch Woof when you come to the play, just ask.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:05
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Woof is rocking a giant cone of shame and has not adjusted his spatial awareness in any way. He’s already destroyed a pair of my best tights (£18 in the vegan shop) and chipped paintwork all over the ground floor. Needless to say, he seems to be feeling better. I would LOVE to see the play and bless your mum for offering to Woof-sit. Can I call her to arrange? I’m behind on the goss – why is Sam persona non grata? I thought she was lovely. Emma
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:07
TO: Emma Crooks
Yes, you can give Mum a call. It’s water under the bridge now, but we traced the hoax emails to Sam Greenwood’s laptop. I’m not rocking the boat till after the play, though. Keep it to yourself. Poor Martin and Helen have enough to deal with at the moment.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:08
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Oh my God! That nurse conned £80k out of the appeal? And she’s still in the play? I can’t believe it! Why don’t you say something, SJ?
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Woof
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:10
TO: Emma Crooks
No, she didn’t steal the money. That was Lydia Drake. Sam emailed us under a fake name and said she would pay for Poppy’s treatment, then didn’t. No idea what her motivation was. It was devastating at the time, but pales into nothing next to this latest shitstorm. That was all down to Martin, by the way – chat when I can pop round.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Carol Dearing
SUBJECT: Play
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:31
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Did you tell Emma I’d look after that smelly dog while she sees the play? I thought you wanted me to sell tat and raffle tickets . . .
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Play
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:33
TO: Carol Dearing
Sorry, Mum, do you mind? Emma’s stuck with a poorly Woof. He can’t go home because of Poppy’s compromised immune system. Thank you.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
PS Not tat. Official ‘A Cure for Poppy’ merchandise.
FROM: Carol Dearing
SUBJECT: Re: Play
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:35
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
I don’t need your full name and surname at the end of every bloody email. Carol Rose Dearing
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Play
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 18:36
TO: Carol Dearing
It’s an automatic signature. I try to delete it when the email’s personal, but I usually forget. Have to switch my phone off now – tech rehearsal about to start.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 21:39
TO: Samantha Greenwood
I’m still in the green room. They’re taking so long over Act One I don’t think I’ll get onstage before ten. What did Sarah-Jane want? Did she mention the committee meeting? Love Issy xxxx
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 21:49
TO: Kel Greenwood
Hi Kel! Well done! I heard what Martin said about your characterisation. He’s not dishing out compliments tonight, so consider yourself lucky. Where’s Sam? Love Issy xxxx
Message exchange between James Hayward and Martin Hayward on 3 July 2018:
22:00 James wrote:
An emergency scan this evening. Touch and go for a bit, then all relax again. They want to wait another day at least. Every moment we keep them inside gives them a better chance. How’s it going?
22:03 Martin wrote:
Don’t message. I’ll call in the morning.
22:04 James wrote:
I meant the tech rehearsal. Ok, speak tomorrow.
FROM: Jackie Marsh
SUBJECT: Re: Mea Culpa
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 22:22
TO: Martin Hayward
Did you get my last message? The p[olice have my passport and want $200. Its really really important I get my money
back. Don’t understand why you haven’t refunded it?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9
Feeling lonely lovely horny girls for you waiting for you now online and in personal sexy girls
Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on 3 July 2018:
22:32 Kevin wrote:
Ok? You looked upset when I left to take Harley back. Rehearsal not that bad, was it? Where are you?
22:50 Sarah-Jane wrote:
Leaving now. Wasn’t intending to speak to her, but Sam cornered me when we were offstage. Started talking about Martin and Helen. Told her I’ve known them all my life, they are my family’s closest friends and the loveliest people one could ever hope to meet. She . . . well, it’s not important what she said. I ended up blurting out that we know she was the hoax benefactor. That we’re only keeping quiet because we want the play to go well for Martin and Helen, but that we want nothing more to do with her. She was about to say something else, but that insipid Isabel appeared out of nowhere, and that was the end of that. I needed time to think, so helped Martin and Joel put props away. Helen’s only just left. Apparently Poppy has lost all her hair and is wearing a wig now. Can you imagine how we’d feel if that was Harley? The stress is written on their faces. Martin was right. Sam is trouble.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 3 July 2018 at 23:28
TO: Kel Greenwood
Hi Kel, hope you don’t mind me emailing you, but I just want to make sure Sam’s ok. She barely spoke to me at all after rehearsal and I wonder if Sarah-Jane said anything? I really did decide not to go to the committee meeting yesterday, even though SJ said not to bother anyway. I know James wanted me there, but apparently it was only a quick meeting. Anyway, we should consider the dress rehearsal as a play night, so that means it all starts tomorrow! This is what we’ve been working towards, thinking about and worrying over for months. It’s all down to these last few days. I am so excited and nervous and elated and scared . . . I know you both must be feeling the same, so it’s understandable you’re feeling the pressure. I am so tired I could sleep for a week, and yet I know I’ll be lying awake for hours trying to drop off. What I mean is, please tell Sam not to worry, everything’s fine and this is how it should be at this stage in the play! I hope everything’s ok. Love Issy xxx