Sam, why arent you answering? Everything alright? I heard a bright, a bit frantic voice call my name, and it knocked the wind out of me. How does this woman know my name? Some prank? I thought.
I glanced around, halfexpecting someone with a camera, but the street was empty of any nosy onlookers. The few passersby who happened to be walking by paid me no mind at all.
I left the flat block and walked calmly to work, grateful I didnt have to sprint to the bus stop and cram myself onto a jampacked doubledeck. Over the past year Id gotten the habit of waking up at exactly six a.m. without an alarm, just so I could take a leisurely walk and soak up a few extra good vibes before the day started.
I hadnt used public transport in ages; my job is mostly sitandstand at a desk, which lets me blend a bit of exercise with my office routine.
As I passed the bus stop, a simple, barely audible ringtone cut through the city hum. I turned and saw an oldfashioned button phone lying on the pavement, its dull plastic case making it easy to miss. Those things are practically extinct now, except maybe for a handful of retirees who either cant or wont upgrade to touchscreens.
I was about to walk on, but something made me stop. I picked the phone up. In big, blocky letters on the tiny screen it read: DEAR GRANDMA. Before I could answer, the screen switched to a missedcall icon, and a second ring followed seconds later. I hit the green button and pressed the phone to my ear.
Sam, why arent you answering? Is everything okay? the same excited female voice said, and I was left speechless again. How does she know my name? Is this a joke?
I scanned the area for anyone with a camera, but there was nothing. Just the usual morning crowd, oblivious.
Sam! Why are you silent? Something happen? the woman pressed on.
Hello? Who is this? Who are you calling? I managed to choke out.
She paused, her breathing heavy, then replied, Im Eleanor Baker. I was trying to call my grandson and somehow got you. Mustve dialed the wrong number, Im sorryplease, for heavens sake, forgive me.
I was about to explain that Id just found the handset and wanted to return it, when she hung up.
I was strolling toward the glass office building where I work when the phone rang again.
Listening.
Sam? Oh dear, wrong number again? the same voice chirped.
Eleanor Baker, hello again. Please dont hang up your phone. It turns out my name is also Sam, but I dont know your grandson personally. I found this phone lying by the bus stop; perhaps your grandson dropped it.
I felt something was off I have his number saved in my contacts, I couldnt have mixed it up. What am I supposed to do now? How do I get in touch with my Sam?
Im afraid I cant help you directly, but I can bring the phone over to you. Where are you?
I checked my watch and realised Id have no time to return the handsetmy deadline was looming, a big report due, then a meeting. I tried to explain, but she kept babbling about being at her country cottage, not knowing when shed be back, and a bizarre tale about a cat stuck in a well.
What well? I asked, bewildered.
You see, Sam uh, sorry, Alex she stammered Ive got a cat down a well. I dont know how it got there, but someone must have tossed it in. Its crying, cant get out, and I cant reach it without climbing down myself. The cover was stolen, too.
I felt a pang of sympathy for this lonely lady and her feline. I wanted to help, but I also had a report to finish.
Eleanor, could you give me the address of your cottage? Ill call the rescue service.
She tried to reply, but the screen went black; the battery had died. Just then a sleek black car pulled up to the office block. The door opened and a man in his early sixties, distinguished with a full head of silver hair, stepped out.
Sam, why are you loitering by the entrance? Igor Spencer greeted with a grin. Come on, lets get to work.
I nodded, following him in. He looked a bit puzzled, his brow furrowed.
Everything alright? Did you not get enough sleep, or is something wrong? Behind on the report?
No, sir, Im fine. Got a full nights rest and the report will be ready today.
Good, good. You know the board will be discussing the new branch manager appointment soon. I think youve got a real shot.
You think so?
Absolutely. Youre sharp, no complaints, disciplined as a drum. Just remember theres only one role and many candidates. Nick also wants that top spot. So dont dawdle on the report; I dont want to look bad because of you.
I watched Igor leave and settled at my desk, but my mind kept drifting back to the stranded grandma and her cat. I imagined her trying to climb down the well herself the thought made my stomach twist.
I leapt from my chair, rushed out of the building, and ran straight into Nick, a colleague whod always been a shade jealous of me.
Where are you off to? he sneered, seeing me sprint away. The workdays just started, youre already bolting?
Nick, just finish your tasks, Ive got an urgent matter I snapped, already on my feet.
Is Igor in the loop?
I didnt answer; I was already scanning for a taxi. Nothing. I muttered, Great, now where do I go? She never gave me an address. Spotting the driver from Igors car, I jogged over.
Hey, Egor!
Alex, what are you doing on the clock? Skipping work?
Listen, do you know where the countryside cottages are? Somewhere outside London?
I do whats it for? Buying something?
No, its a command from the boss I explained quickly. I need to get to a cottage, urgent. Can you give me a lift?
Me? But Ive got a meeting with Igor in an hour.
Well make it, he knows.
Within minutes the sleek car rolled out of the depot. Nick watched from the rear window, smirking, clearly ready to spin a tale for Igor later.
The car pulled up at the gate of a tidy housing estate. I hopped out, looking around.
Where now? I asked Egor.
Honestly, Im not sure. Stay here; Ill scout ahead.
I wandered the narrow lanes, calling out, Eleanor Eleanor but the only response was the wind.
Strange Egor said there arent any cottages beyond this point, I muttered. Wheres this lady?
Just then I heard a familiar voice.
Alex Alex? it was Eleanor, emerging from behind a wooden gate, clutching a battered plastic bag.
You called for me? I asked, flashing the old phone.
Yes, dear. Im Eleanor. Come in, Ive got the phone for you. She took the handset, eyes wide with relief.
Thank you she stammered, then added, Wheres the well?
We walked together to the old stone well at the back of the garden. Its not that deep, I thought, maybe four metres. At the bottom, a young cat mewed pitifully, eyes fixed on the rim.
Is the well dry? I asked.
Yes, the water dried up a couple of years ago. We got mains water last year, but the wells just a hole now.
Who put the cat in there? Some scrawlonthewall sort?
I dont know. Someone mustve tossed it in, and they also stole the metal cover.
I examined the well. Not too deep, I said, but well need a rope.
Do you have any? she asked.
I think there might be a coil in the shed.
She led me to a small outbuilding. After a few minutes of rummaging, she emerged with a frayed, but sturdy, hemp rope about ten feet long.
Its thin, but it should hold my weight I told her.
Youre really going down there? Is that safe?
Dont worry, Eleanor. Ill be careful, and you can pull me up.
She nodded, clutching her rosary. I tied one end of the rope to a sturdy post, dropped the other down, and began my descent.
The cat hissed at first, pressed against the stone, but after a few minutes it calmed, sensing I wasnt a threat. I stroked its back, and it began to purr.
Hows that, Sam? Eleanor shouted from above.
All good, Im coming up. Oh youre expecting a kitten, arent you?
What? she gasped. You heard that?
I looked at the cat, which was starting to arch its back, midbirth. Great timing, I muttered.
Can you fetch a cardboard box from the shed? I called.
She ran back, returning with a shallow box.
I gently coaxed the cat into the box, cut two little ventilation holes, and lowered it onto a plank. Eleanor tried to lift the box, but the rope slipped a bit.
How are you doing? she asked, eyes wide.
Ill be fine. Just hold on.
I tugged on the rope, but the knot Id tied suddenly loosened and the rope slipped, sending me a few centimetres down. I hit the stone with a dull thud.
Sam! Are you okay? Eleanors voice cracked with panic.
Im Im okay, I think. The rope isnt broken, just untied.
I reknotted it, this time tighter, and tried again. The rope held, and I began climbing. Halfway up the knot loosened again, and I slipped, landing back on the stone.
Try again, Sam! Eleanor urged.
I tossed the rope up, and she managed to catch the end, though clumsily. After a few more attempts, I finally got a solid hold and hauled the boxcat and newborn kittens insideup to the surface.
The tiny kittens squirmed, their eyes barely open. Eleanor clutched the box like a treasure.
Thank you, Alex. Youve saved them all.
No problem, just glad theyre safe. I replied, dusting off my jeans.
Just then a deep male voice rang out from the garden path.
Is everything alright down there?
Yeah, just a bit of a rescue mission, I called back.
Egor, who had been waiting in the car, jogged over, a grin on his face.
Youve got a knack for drama, Sam. Need a hand?
Please, tie the rope securely, will you? I said.
He cinched the knot in a flash, chuckling, Not exactly a sailor, are we?
When the kittens were finally settled in Eleanors warm kitchen, she poured us tea and thanked us over and over. The cat, now purring contentedly, curled around my ankles.
Lets get you back to the office, Sam. Igors waiting, and you cant keep the boss hanging.
I slipped the old handset back into Eleanors pocket, promising to swing by again. She waved, holding up the rescued kittens, their tiny whiskers twitching.
Back at the office, Igor stared at me, halfamused, halfexasperated.
Sam, what on earth was that? You ditch work, skip the report, and leave me without a driver!
I take full responsibility, I said. And dont punish Egor; I persuaded him to leave.
He told me everything, how you vanished, how you were chatting to a stranger on the street Im not sure youre cut out for the branch manager role after that.
Lets see, I shrugged. Im happy here.
But what about the grandkid? Did you find him?
Hes fine. He was at home when we got back. The phone dropped when the bus pulled up. Hes a good lad, knows his way around computers. We should definitely give him a shot.
Thats the spirit, Igor smiled. You helped an old lady and her cat, think about others before yourself. Thats the kind of leadership we need.
He tapped his pen, then said, Take the rest of the day off, Sam. Well sort the paperwork on Monday.
Even though my workload grew, I kept visiting Eleanor at her cottage. Her grandson, also named Alex, ended up joining our IT team as a junior admin. The cat, now named Whiskers, greeted me every time I came by, tail high, grateful for the rescue.
The three kittens grew fast. One I adopted, another went to Igor, and the third to Egor. Each turned out to be a little replica of their mum, orangetabby and all, and Im sure theyll have happy lives ahead.
