Your Stories (2)

Bill's Story

When Bill didn't come home one day in August, I wasn't too worried – he'd been known to disappear for a few days and then show up as if nothing had happened.

A couple of days later I happened to see a notice about a missing cat Harry in the newsagents'. I noted down the number, in case I happened to spot Harry somewhere. These people's cat sounded rather like Bill, I thought: black male, long tail, big ears.

After another day or two, I was beginning to get worried. I put up my own notice in the newsagents', then, as the days went on, other notices in other places.

I had a few phone calls, but none of the black cats were Bill.

Then I remembered Harry, and rang the number which I had noted down. They'd found Harry. I was pleased for them. But still no sign of Bill.

As time went on, a crazy thought occurred to me. The description of Harry I'd seen in the newsagents sounded so like Bill – could they have mistaken Bill for Harry?

The idea wouldn't go away. I rang the number again. `This will sound crazy', I said, `but are you sure you've got the right cat?'

Emily described Harry in more detail: the long tail, the ready purr, the Siamese body and head shape, the loud voice, the sprinkling of white hairs on the throat, the way he'd crawl in under the covers ... `Of course I'm sure', she said. I thanked her and hung up apologetically.

But everything she described sounded exactly like Bill.

I rang her back.

`Listen', I said, `please don't think I'm crazy – but could I come and have a look at your cat?'
Emily lived on a narrowboat on the canal. That evening I drove out with a friend, we picked our way along the narrow dark path to her boat. There, looking out the window, was Bill.
I knew it was Bill. Although Emily was convinced that it was Harry, she agreed to take him to a vet's and have him scanned for a microchip.

A few days later, she came to my house with Bill in a carrier and brought him home.