Danger to be off the hook

When I lifted the receiver, I heard a few rustling sounds, and a radio in the background, but after calling "Hello" loudly several times, there was no response, and I became alarmed.

I replaced my receiver, intending to dial 1471 to find out who had called me, perhaps in distress, but to my dismay I found I was still connected to the unknown caller.

This time, however, I could hear people chatting in the background as well as the radio, so my fears subsided, and I realised that a certain little member of that household had been playing with the telephone and had accidentally called my number.

I then also realised that until the caller's receiver was replaced, my number, and theirs, too, of course, would be constantly engaged for an unknown period of time.

So I kept shouting "Hello" and "Will someone please answer?"

I couldn't believe that they couldn't hear me, for I could hear them quite clearly.

Finally, in desperation, I shouted "Please put your phone down," and to my astonishment it worked – the receiver was replaced.

I then gave a thought to my neighbours, who might have wondered why I was yelling "Please answer me" at the top of my voice for at least 20 minutes at 8.15am.

But I needn't have worried – no one heard me!

As I am in my 80s and live alone, this has given me much food for thought.

Meanwhile, mums and dads, please do watch to see whether little Jimmy or Judy are playing with the telephone.

It could cause trouble if, through a childish prank, your telephone number was unobtainable in the case of an emergency.

E. G. Seymour

Sea Lane

Rustington

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