Daniel and Howard are brothers living in Hampstead. Daniel lives with and looks after their elderly mother and Howard lives with his cat Peachy.
Howard is obsessed with Peachy. His whole life is based around her. So when his boss tells him at short notice that he must go to New York, he doesn’t know what to do. He can’t take Peachy with him, he can’t leave her behind on her own and he can’t refuse to go to New York. He eventually decides to trust Daniel with Peachy while he’s away. So just before he leaves, Howard goes to Daniel and explains in great detail what to do. He hands over the cat plus 1 week’s worth of cat medicine and top grade cat food, says goodbye to Peachy and then leaves.
The phone calls begin as soon as he arrives in New York. Howard phones Daniel morning, noon and night to make sure that Peachy is alright. But on the 4th day, when he calls and asks how Peachy is getting along, Daniel replies, “I’m afraid Peachy is dead, Howard.”
Howard is immediately overcome with grief. In between his sobs, he says, “How could you be so cruel, Daniel? You know how much I loved Peachy. Why couldn’t you have broken it to me gently?”
“How could I have done that?” asks Daniel.
“Yes, you’re right, I’m so sorry,” says Daniel.
Howard then asks, “By the way, how’s mum?”
“She’s ….. OK,” replies Daniel, “she’s up on the roof…”