Tilly's Trove

Matilda the Cat, known as Tilly, was on her daily patrol, checking out what was new in the garden. Lots of smells and sounds. Resting in a deck chair I was watching her progress. A while ago we had some field mice around, they had even ventured into the house, so I was curious if they came back after we had politely removed them to the neighbourhood fields. Tilly was visiting all the nooks of the garden. She kept returning to one place by the wall by an apple tree. I got up to get some drink and I stopped by her. I noticed something black lying on the grass. Had to fetch my glasses from the lounge and when I put them on I saw a little black book. I used my gardening gloves to pick it up, just in case, and placed it on the garden table. It did look familiar, I had to see it somewhere. After opening the cover I recognised where I knew it from. Not long ago I was browsing through the bookshop to find a birthday gift for my friend and there it was. A Moleskine notebook. I finally chose something else, but had a good look at the notebook first.

The notebook Tilly had found was full of notes, not ordinary ones, they were sheet music. Not restricted to any particular section, notes were running all over the pages, written down in an aggressive and impatient style. The seemed to have a life of their own, loud and vibrant.

I didn’t want to investigate somebody else’s notebook, but it looked like some important stuff was recorded on its pages. At least important for the owner. On contact pages I found a name and a phone number. I was reluctant and maybe too shy to call, so instead I composed a text message explaining I was not sure that I was addressing the right person, but I found this black notebook and wanted to return it to the owner so if the number I was sending the text to belonged to that owner please let me know how I could send it back or if it was wrong number, please advise if you could help with identifying the owner. Done. I put little black book away on the side table and gave Tilly some treats.

Few hours later my phone signalled I got a message, which read: „ Thank you so much and yes this notebook is really important to me. Cannot call you right now, will explain later. For now I would be eternally grateful if you give me an address to which I could send a courier to pick up the notebook.” Text ended with signature, which I will keep out of the story for the reasons which will become obvious later.

Courier called and set up pick up for the next day. All went smoothly and little black book went back to its owner.

And silence, no message, no phone call, no letter. More than six months have passed and one day my phone again let me know there is a message. My mysterious owner of the notebook was asking me when he could visit to thank me properly for the recovery of his treasured black book. I suggested day and time and waited.

She arrived with big bunch of colourful flowers. Apparently over half a year ago she was in a serious car accident and spent long time in the hospital. When my message reached her she couldn’t speak and was very weak thus such a short communication. Her handbag was stolen from the wreck of the car. Her documents were found somewhere in the park, discarded by the thief, only cash and credit cards were never found. Same thief had apparently threw the notebook over the wall of my garden when passing by. My guest told me she was a composer and sheet music in her black notebook were the leading theme for the film music. Thanks to getting it back and shortly after leaving the hospital she completed her project. Her film contract was apparently very lucrative and she wanted to show gratitude not just verbally and with flowers, but reward me with some money. My composer friend told me she would not take no for an answer and handed me the check written to my name. Amount written on the check was 20 thousand USD !!!!

Now you can understand why I did not mention the name. Her music won some important film industry awards, so you can try to figure who it was yourself.

Matilda the Cat, known as Tilly, was on her daily patrol, checking out what was new in the garden. Lots of smells and sounds. Resting in a deck chair I was watching her progress. A while ago we had some field mice around, they had even ventured into the house, so I was curious if they came back after we had politely removed them to the neighbourhood fields. Tilly was visiting all the nooks of the garden. She kept returning to one place by the wall by an apple tree. I got up to get some drink and I stopped by her. I noticed something black lying on the grass. Had to fetch my glasses from the lounge and when I put them on I saw a little black book. I used my gardening gloves to pick it up, just in case, and placed it on the garden table. It did look familiar, I had to see it somewhere. After opening the cover I recognised where I knew it from. Not long ago I was browsing through the bookshop to find a birthday gift for my friend and there it was. A Moleskine notebook. I finally chose something else, but had a good look at the notebook first.

The notebook Tilly had found was full of notes, not ordinary ones, they were sheet music. Not restricted to any particular section, notes were running all over the pages, written down in an aggressive and impatient style. The seemed to have a life of their own, loud and vibrant.

I didn’t want to investigate somebody else’s notebook, but it looked like some important stuff was recorded on its pages. At least important for the owner. On contact pages I found a name and a phone number. I was reluctant and maybe too shy to call, so instead I composed a text message explaining I was not sure that I was addressing the right person, but I found this black notebook and wanted to return it to the owner so if the number I was sending the text to belonged to that owner please let me know how I could send it back or if it was wrong number, please advise if you could help with identifying the owner. Done. I put little black book away on the side table and gave Tilly some treats.

Few hours later my phone signalled I got a message, which read: „ Thank you so much and yes this notebook is really important to me. Cannot call you right now, will explain later. For now I would be eternally grateful if you give me an address to which I could send a courier to pick up the notebook.” Text ended with signature, which I will keep out of the story for the reasons which will become obvious later.

Courier called and set up pick up for the next day. All went smoothly and little black book went back to its owner.

And silence, no message, no phone call, no letter. More than six months have passed and one day my phone again let me know there is a message. My mysterious owner of the notebook was asking me when he could visit to thank me properly for the recovery of his treasured black book. I suggested day and time and waited.

She arrived with big bunch of colourful flowers. Apparently over half a year ago she was in a serious car accident and spent long time in the hospital. When my message reached her she couldn’t speak and was very weak thus such a short communication. Her handbag was stolen from the wreck of the car. Her documents were found somewhere in the park, discarded by the thief, only cash and credit cards were never found. Same thief had apparently threw the notebook over the wall of my garden when passing by. My guest told me she was a composer and sheet music in her black notebook were the leading theme for the film music. Thanks to getting it back and shortly after leaving the hospital she completed her project. Her film contract was apparently very lucrative and she wanted to show gratitude not just verbally and with flowers, but reward me with some money. My composer friend told me she would not take no for an answer and handed me the check written to my name. Amount written on the check was 20 thousand USD !!!!

Now you can understand why I did not mention the name. Her music won some important film industry awards, so you can try to figure who it was yourself.