Gone fishing for a big catch: my key!

BACK in the Seventies, I had just started a new job servicing old machinery. I was provided with a Peugeot estate car and was feeling pleased with life. I arrived at a large office block in Tonbridge, got out of the car and then — calamity! — I dropped the ignition key down a drain. As it was my first week I did not ring my firm for help. After much mental anguish I hit on an idea. I walked into Tonbridge and bought a magnet and a reel of string. I returned to the car and

started fishing for my keys. About ten minutes later a wag came out of the office and called out ‘Caught anything yet, mate?’ — followed by raucous laughter. After 20 minutes with no result, I was feeling desperate, so I prayed for help. Immediately after, I fished the key out. Many years later a friend dropped her keys down a drain. She was very worried about her husband’s reaction if she went home minus the car, so I dug out my trusty magnet and string, and subsequently rescued a damsel in distress.

Jonathan Bryant, Worthing, W. Sussex.