As far as how I tracked you down, I simply googled your grandmother’s name, the year, and ‘doctor.’ Then, I found this article titled, Nottinghamshire Clinic Passed Down for Three Generations, published only a month ago. Attachedherefor reference. That isincredible, by the way. What a legacy you’re continuing on!
But, yes, as you mentioned, you’re a hard man to find. You seem to not exist anywhere else online other than the clinic’s website, which doesn’t even have a picture of you that I could have used to reverse image search. Good for you. I, on the other hand, have had to install an app on my phone that locks me out of social media to avoid doomscrolling for too long.
It also only feels right to tell you now that I’m a history teacher and I brought this time capsule in as a special project of sorts for my grade twelve students. A large part of what I try to do with my class is make history personable, and this was an effort to do just that. I don’t mean to invade your or your family’s privacy and, if you so wish, I will not share our correspondence from here on out but my students did help me write my initial email and will be eager for updates, if permitted.
As for the contents of the time capsule ... I haven’t been able to open it yet. My grandmother mentioned that Martha had taken the key with her when she left for England. I could probably take it to a locksmith, but I thought I’d ask first, to avoid damaging it. (That’s the historian in me, Iguess.) Do you or your mother happen to have a mystery key or know anything about one?
Lastly, I wanted to let you know that what I’ve learned from my grandmother’s letter may come as a surprise to your family, as it did to ours. To put it simply, your grandmother and mine were romantic partners once upon a time. If that is something you don’t feel comfortable learning more about, please let me know and we can cease contact. I certainly hope you are not an intolerant toad, but if you are, your loss.
Sincerely,
Georgia
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Time Capsule Belonging to Martha Bennett
Date: February 16, 2025
Hello Georgia,
You are correct about my location and the typically moody, grey weather that dominates it. In the spirit of honesty, I’ll admit that I was envious you knew more about me than I you, so I looked you up online. I won’t say anything further, because I understand your students may be reading these emails (which I think is great, by the way), but I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you what a pleasant surprise it was to discover who’s been attempting to stalk me. Please, feel free to continue your efforts.
It only feels right to address the last part of your email first, to avoid any concern about my toad status. One year before my nan passed, in 2014, same-sex marriage became legal in the UK. She invited us over to her cottage that afternoon for tea, screened the recording she’d made of the news channel announcing thevote’s result, and told us that she, to quote her exactly, was a “lifelong lesbian.”
She’d been a single mother working throughout the sixties and seventies, a pioneer in her field, and an incredible advocate for our township. But I think our entire family would agree that we were most proud of her that afternoon.
As for this mystery key, my very determined parents are now on the hunt. My mum and dad inherited Martha’s cottage upon her passing, and, to put it politely, they’re still going through her things ten years later. My nan was a collector, you could say. Of course, you’re welcome to break in or hire a locksmith if you’d rather not wait.
Also, I hope this is okay, my brother, Graham, is a columnist for several large media sites here in the UK. With your permission, he’d like to begin drafting a story about this whole situation. Of course, nothing would be published without you and your family having the chance to read it and make edits—I’ve made Graham swear to that.
Lastly, because I was able to find many pictures of you online but, as you pointed out, there’s none of me, I have attached somephotos. The first is my grandmother, my brother, my sister, Lena, and I in 2014 at the Pride Parade in Nottingham. We had the time of our lives, as you can probably tell. Do you have any siblings?
I’ve also attached a more recent photo of me, so you won’t envision me as an eighteen-year-old with spotty facial hair wearing rainbow suspenders or, worse than that, his redheaded older brother.
Sincerely,
Callum (hopefully not an intolerant toad)
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Time Capsule Belonging to Martha Bennett
Date: February 16, 2025
Hi Callum,
I’m extremely glad to hear your toad status!
That story warmed my heart, thank you for sharing it with me. Truthfully, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with the idea that my grandma didn’t feel comfortable sharing this side of herself with us until she passed. For whatever reason, knowing Martha did brought me some comfort when most of what I’ve been feeling lately is guilt.
Not to sound too woo-woo, but I hope they’ve gotten the chance to catch up, wherever they are now. You’re a man of science, so you probably think that’s silly. But, truth be told, I am a bit silly in that regard. I love looking at my horoscope every morning and I can promise you that all of my students act extra nuts around a full moon.
If Dr and Mr Lewis are on the hunt, I will wait patiently for them to find the key. I’m eager to see what’s inside, of course, but I would really love to keep the box’s dignity intact, if possible.
