A short piece, in the form of a ledger. Made up, like the others.

Lost Property. Kept in the hardback book on the front desk at the baths, under the till. Anyone on the desk writes in it. Columns: date, item, where found, found by, claimed.

Date Item Where found By Claimed
Tue 3 Mar Towel, green, folded Bench, changing room B Dilys Mr Pugh, 1.30
Tue 3 Mar Goggles, child’s, pink Poolside Dilys —
Thu 5 Mar Towel, green, folded Bench, changing room B Marcus Mr Pugh, 8.25 pm
Tue 10 Mar Towel, green, folded Bench, changing room B Dilys Mr Pugh, 1.35
Thu 12 Mar Towel, green. Folded. Bench, changing room B Marcus Mr Pugh, 8.30 pm

(Marcus, margin, biro) Dilys, Mr Pugh’s left his towel every time he’s been in. Does he ever remember it?

(Dilys, under it, felt tip) Not so far. Swims Tuesday lunchtimes, leaves without it, comes back for it.

(Marcus) He’s in Thursdays too. Evenings.

(Dilys) I know. It’s always folded, though. Forgets the towel, never forgets to fold it.

(Marcus) He never goes back to look for it. Comes straight to the desk, and then asks how my exams are going. Every time.

(Dilys) Asks me about my leeks. Knows more about my allotment than my husband does.

Date Item Where found By Claimed
Tue 17 Mar Towel, green, folded Bench, changing room B Dilys Mr Pugh, 1.25
Thu 19 Mar Towel, green, folded Bench, changing room B Marcus Mr Pugh, 8.20 pm

(Marcus) He didn’t come Thursday. I looked.

(Dilys) Nor Tuesday.

Date Item Where found By Claimed
Tue 31 Mar Towel, green, damp Mr Pugh’s bag Dilys Mr Pugh, 1.30 (joke. D.)

(Dilys) He’s back. Came to the desk with the towel in his bag and said “Anything handed in for me?” I said not today. He said “Well, there’s a first.” He’s been at his daughter’s in Leeds for the new baby. Showed me a photo. Said his house is very quiet after a fortnight of a baby. Then he asked was my mum home from hospital yet. I’d mentioned that once, in February. I wrote him in anyway, for a laugh.

(Marcus) That’s not lost property.

(Dilys) I’m not sure the others were either.

(Marcus) I’ll bring biscuits on Thursday. I want to see the baby photos.