That spring, The Garden Family was joined by two new members – a calico girl and a black boy. They were born to The Cat in the garden and spent their first two weeks there, opening their eyes and learning to walk.

The calico girl was friendly and happy to play, and when we asked her what her name was, she said ‘my name is Flora Fourpaws, but mummy calls me other names’.

The Cat, who was sitting nearby, declined to comment. It seemed that the name for the black kitten, who was more wary, was being left to us to choose, so we named the other kitten Furrileesa.

After two weeks in the garden, The Cat moved the Fourpaws family into the fields where they spent another two weeks, doubtless exploring their neighbourhood and learning new skills. Then, one day when the humans were tending to the garden, The Cat attracted our attention and led us to some long grass under a tree where we found kitten Flora. The Cat wanted us to kitten-sit for her, so we downed tools to keep an eye on the little one. Five minutes later, The Cat returned from the fields carrying Furrileesa.

She had decided it was time for her new family to start weaning and they were moving back into The Cat’s Garden.