Although Ana was spending more and more time away, he was still involved in the kittens’ lives. They were his younger brothers and sisters, after all. The Cat would entrust her offspring to his care and he would kitten-sit them in the garden, the kittens curled up safely together under the trees, close to their big brother. That was not to say that three lively kittens were sometimes a bit much for a mature, street-wise alpha-male, and occasionally discipline was needed with a well-aimed tap of the paw.

The Cat was only too happy to have some time away from her demanding brood, and when she returned refreshed, after some time to herself, the kittens would be fed, and then it would be time for her to have some grown-up time together with Number One Son.