Lost and Found

 

Rick looked through his multi-pocketed jacket for the house keys as Sherlock scratched at the door.

Where had he lost them? 

Les Halles at the Mid Eastern food Stand?

At the ticket dispenser buying a bus pass?

On Bus 33 or 92?

Gone, gone, gone.

My keys let us in.

"Check the Lost and Found," I said. It was more than possible someone turned them in.

Over the next few days Rick looked at their website. One photo showed all the keys found and turned in. 

Nothing.

Then on Friday night,  there it was...our penguin in the upper right hand corner socializing with all the other lost keys in the city

I had received the cute little penguin thingie for my birthday. Always hard to buy for, my friends know a penguin gift is always appreciated. I had sewn it on top of the key lanyard.

Lost and Found would be closed until Monday morning.

We were there shortly after it opened.

Rick had the duplicate set of keys, a photo of the lost keys and his identity card. There were five people before us and within five minutes a line had formed down the long corridor and out the door.

Only three people were allowed in at a time, but those before us were served quickly and left clutching their property and  smiling.

Our turn came and a young woman listened as Rick explained about the penguin in French. She broke into a big smile and replied in English.

Without a moment of hesitation, she brought out a key-filled box and retrieved ours. She must have noticed it.

A payment of 15CHF (£17.03), a receipt to sign and we were on our way.

Love the Swiss efficiency.

Rick has a dueling blog at https://lovinglifeineurope.blogspot.com/

D-L Nelson is the author of 17 books. Read her blog at www.dlnelsonwriter.com