The Cat was enjoying a more relaxed pace of life, spending time in the garden during the day, eating and napping, and occasionally venturing out into the fields at night. She looked well and her coat was a lot thicker than it had been when we firstmet her (although she was as svelte as ever beneath her fur).

Mr Tiffin, Sprocket’s boyfriend, continued to visit; he had taken to coming to eat, washing and napping in the garden before heading back out to the fields.

NVQ, one of the most ruthless alpha-males of the neighbourhood, was also an occasional visitor to the garden although he spent most of his time in the fields on the other side of the road. He was a bully and would seek out the up-and-coming males so he could intimidate them. His methods worked well and he was feared by the younger cats who avoided him wherever possible.

The Cat seemed indifferent to both Mr Tiffin and NVQ (maybe because of their lack of orange fur), but she and Mr Tiffin were sometimes spotted napping close to each other in the garden.

This year also saw the arrival of Supervisor Cat, a chunky white-and-black cat from the fields at the back of the garden. For some reason, The Cat took an instant dislike to Supervisor and it wasn’t long before Supervisor joined Visitor Cat on top of the garden wall for meals, avoiding placing a paw on The Cat’s hallowed grass.

And then, one sunny Saturday afternoon at the end of Year 7, The Furries were born to The Cat in the garden. Whitefur, Greyfur and Blackfur were a lively trio and The Cat was happy with her brood.

The Cat thoroughly enjoyed being a mother and she was content, as was her new family.