Monday
My cat, Arthur, stumbled upon a phone quite by accident. The object smelled unmistakably of a person and was wonderfully warm to the touch. Finding its shape inviting, he curled himself around it, wrapped his paws lovingly, and settled down. To my surprise, the smartphone flickered to life beneath the gentlest touch of his furry paw.
I hadnt even managed to enjoy my new phone, truth be told. From the word go, it seemed faulty; it would heat up with every little action, and in the next breath, I somehow managed to lose it altogether. It was a real shame. The phone was brillianthuge display, a battery that was supposed to last for days, though, in the end, thats exactly what let me down. With the device gone, there was little hope of a refund or exchange.
Silently calling myself a fool, I reached for my battered old brick of a mobile that Id kept tucked away, dialled my own number, and waited as it rang. The line buzzed, but no one picked up. After pouring a splash of valerian tincture into a glassand, admittedly, into my nervesI lay down and tried to retrace my steps in my mind. Perhaps tomorrow, if I walked the same route, I might get lucky.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated under my hand. Someone was ringing. Familiar digits flashed on the screenmy own number.
Hello? Who is this? I asked.
On the other end there was only soft rustling, a few short breaths and, out of nowhere, Meow
I abruptly hung up. Someone was having a laugh at my expense, I thought. Worse still, I hadnt thought to put a lock on the thingnow some joker was messing around with my phone. My irritation was cut short by yet another call.
The same faint sighs and rustlesthen another meow in response to my voice.
Dont call me again! I snapped before hanging up once more.
But the calls kept coming, persistent as ever. Deciding things couldnt get stranger, I wrapped up warm and headed out. If the sounds were coming from outside, then whoever had the phone must be somewhere along my route. All I had to do was retrace my steps and make a call or two along the way.
Clutching my old phone, I dialled my number again, meandering down the footpath. Suddenly, like a beacon in the dark, I heard my own ringtone. My temper was ready to boil over; I was ready to give the prankster a piece of my mind.
Meanwhile, Arthur was snuggled up to the warm object, watching it spring to life and chatter away. He sniffed at it; it just kept buzzing. Politely, he responded in the only way he knew how. The smartphone went quiet. Arthur pawed it again, and once again it began to chatter, growing ever warmera real godsend on such a chilly night. He pressed his paw to it once more.
And thats when the phone started to sing. Startled, Arthur thumped it harder, but it wouldnt quieten down. So engrossed was he in wrestling with the noisy contraption that he failed to notice he was no longer alone by the old oak tree.
All righteous indignation vanished the moment I caught sight of the real hooligan. Beneath the tree sat a ginger tom, battered by life, fur bristling with nerves, as he battered my phone, desperate to silence its song. The sight of me seemed to transform him. He launched himself towards me, as if to an old friend. His purrs were loud, his paws outstretched, melting what remained of my annoyance.
Arthur nuzzled his head into my cheeks, as though showering me in kisses. His fur was coldno wonder hed latched onto the warmth of my phone.
With the phone reclaimed and the ginger tom safe in my arms, I wandered home, my mind whirring with thoughts of love at first sight. It was startling, how much this little fellow seemed to have taken to me. After such a show of affection, I couldnt face the thought of leaving him out in the cold.
Arthur, blissfully content, writhed in my arms, rubbing against my lips and chin (despite my futile attempts to dodge these whiskery caresses). Odd, how affectionate a stray could be.
As it turned out, the answer was simple. The valerian Id poured for myself had also left a lingering scent on me. Arthur, thoroughly intoxicated by it, had likely followed me all the way home.
If Ive learnt anything, its this: sometimes what seems a misfortunea lost phone, a restless catcan lead to unexpected warmth. And every bother has its silver lining, often purring gently in your arms.
