This is a “short” or “checked” vowel sound, so is always followed by a consonant.
e as in bed
ea as in head
a as in any
ai as in said
ae as in haemorrhage (UK)
eo as in leopard
ei as in leisure
ie as in friend
u as in bury
ay as in says
ey as in Reynold
a…e as in Thames
e…e as in creme fraiche
The Spelfabet shop has affordable, downloadable spelling teaching resources.