How far would you go to rescue your phone?

Asking for a friend

Apr 08, 2025

This is the week in which a friend (honestly, it wasn’t me) accidentally dropped his phone onto the train tracks on his morning commute and then lost his mind. Granted, he didn’t just jump straight after it to his almost certain death, but he did consider it, he said.

Instead, he got to his office and, feeling ‘like a junkie needing a hit,’ ordered a litter-picking device from Amazon and began to Google the likelihood of being electrocuted when he went back to the tracks to use it.

Then, the next day, in his smart suit, he got to the station early and lay down on the platform, activated his special grabby tool and plucked his beloved iPhone out from the train line, all the while being watched by startled onlookers from the other side of the tracks. Realising how batshit he would seem, he even went to the effort of covering up his office logo on his backpack in case he was identified on CCTV.

I initially found his story hilarious, then when I thought about it (fleetingly, before I got distracted by Instagram) I found it deeply worrying and finally I found it horribly relatable. When was the last time you lost your phone? Do you remember the sweaty panic, the palpitations, the desperation? What lengths would you have gone to to get it back, if it was within your sight but just out of reach? Be honest.

Even the idea of it brings me out in a cold sweat. But I’m not sure that it’s as vacuous as it seems for us to feel bereft without our phones. They hold our conversations, our social lives, our photos and our histories. Yes, there’s the iCloud, but it’s just weird. How can ‘the air’ store all my worldly data? I might be on my own here, but I am a non-believer. An iCloud-denier. I just want my actual phone, in my hand, where it belongs at all times.

He was ok, by the way, this friend, who shall remain nameless (if you know me, then yes, it is exactly who you think it is). But I’m sure he’d want me to point out that he does NOT recommend doing what he did. In fact, he has since found out (via Google, on his rescued phone) that TFL staff have a special device that they use especially for this purpose. He need only have asked.

HOME COMFORTS WITH… ALICE WILKINSON

I first came across Alice Wilkinson via her fab newsletter, Addressing, but she’s also just written her first book, How to Stay Sane in a House Share, which explores the joy of living with friends at any age. As the only adult in my house, I’ve definitely thought about getting a mate to move in, but only if they are willing to watch Married at First Sight with me every night. This week, I interviewed Alice this week to find out more about her set up.

Where do you live and how would you describe your home in three words?
I live in Bromley-by-Bow in East London. My three words: Bright, waterside, calm.

Who is at home with you?
My housemate who I’ve lived with for just over a year. She’s my eighteenth (!) housemate. We met on Spare Room and bonded over our love of writing and reading.

Current TV obsession?
Motherland. I’m late to the party!

Best home comfort meal?
Jamie Oliver’s chilli recipe but I don’t always add beef. It’s got carrots, celery, cinnamon and coriander in it. I always have some in the freezer.

Book currently on your bedside table?
The Years by Annie Ernaux. I watched it at the theatre and loved it. The play is split into different chapters of her life, each unfolding around the same table.

Background noise in your house?
Bird life! The front of our block of flats opens out onto a loud dual carriage way but the back door opens onto the tranquillity of the canal. Behind a patch of reeds are two resident swans and when it’s nesting season, they make a huge commotion. I’ll see moorhens, Canada geese, herons and I’ve even seen a kingfisher along the canal.

My garden is….
A paved paradise. We have a small patio that opens onto the canal. Often, when I want to get outside, I’ll pace up and down the canal and nosy at the house boats.

Your favourite home from home?
There’s a place in Surrey called Newlands Corner. I went to university in Guildford and found this spot by accident because I had a babysitting job at University. Every week I had to travel past Newland’s Corner to get there. It’s only a short drive out of London so ever since, it’s been somewhere I’ve been back to and taken special people to. One particularly mad time, I travelled there from my house share in London at 4am to watch the sunrise!

Alice’s book How to Stay Sane in a House Share is out now.

SHOPPING STUFF

Phone cases

Here’s one way to make sure we don’t end up face-to-the-ground in our local train station. This one from celeb fave Bandolier is my top pick for cross body phone cases - plus it’s got a little built-in card holder – perfect. If that’s not your bag (I mean case), my very cool friend Fran wears this one.

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Spring has sprung jacket

Spotted this one on the school run – a little quilted Zara number, perfect for in-between weather. Bit of a bargain, too at £35.99.

HOME STUFF

Garden furniture

Why am I not organised enough to think about garden furniture off-season, when it doesn’t cost the earth? Mine is now old and decrepit and I don’t think I can last one more year with it. So now I need a bargain. And Asda is where it’s at folks. Look at this lovely little set up for £299 (idyllic Tuscan style surrounds not included… ).

TV STUFF

Stacey and Joe, BBC iPlayer

Oh I know. Judge away. But I can’t resist a reality show. Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash open the doors to Pickle Cottage (a humble name for a sprawling country pile) and show us how daily life unfolds with five kids and a few animals to look after. It’s absolute chaos but has the wonderful effect of making you feel your own life is calm, quiet and organised, even when it’s not.

Right! On that note, I need to go. My parents are arriving in ten minutes and I need to make it look like I occasionally wipe my kitchen surfaces.

See you next week!

P.S

👶 Enjoyed this newsletter by Flora Gill - addressing Chappell Roan’s comments on motherhood - and how she doesn’t know any parents of young kids who are actually happy.

🥚Want this for Easter. A ‘flat egg’ sounds a bit joyless, but it’s essentially a massive Florentine so I’m ok with it.

💁I burnt my finger last night because I couldn’t find my oven gloves. Still can’t - so I’m going to get these because I am easily amused.

Who is Dominique Afacan?

A very good question. Dominique (that’s me) is a writer and solo mum of two, based in London. The idea for the Nesting newsletter came about because after ten years of flitting around the world as a travel journalist, I wanted to share my new-found excitement about hanging out at home. I am also the author of Bolder – Life lessons from people older and wiser than you – a great birthday present, if I don’t say so myself – and available to buy here.