After we lost Ratchet, Pedal and Sprocket became very closely bonded and this was something that continued throughout their lives, although of course Sprocket’s attentions were diverted elsewhere with the arrival of her (and The Cat’s) kittens.

But Pedal was still involved, still part of the family. He saw his role as protector and was often spotted lying on top of the pod where The Cat sometimes slept (and where the kittens lived when they returned to the garden for weaning); The Cat, Sprocket and Pedal still ate together in their adult family group and, although more mature and bigger alpha-males passed through the garden, Pedal was in overall charge. In the fields, he was wary and on edge, but in the garden, he could relax.

Pedal was friendly but remained slightly wary of us; although he had no drive to become an alpha-male of the neighbourhood, he didn’t hold back if there was a male cat in The Cat’s garden who he had taken a dislike to and, even as a youngster, would hiss, snarl and wail at them until they left (although he was wise enough not to fight).

The Cat seemed happy with the arrangement, and Sprocket was glad to have her brother nearby, even though she was busy with her own and her mother’s families.

The kittens enjoyed Pedal’s company and he was a patient big brother to The Cat’s offspring and uncle to Sprocket’s. The Cat and Sprocket each had one kitten in their litter who looked a lot like Pedal, and it was possible that they shared the same father. Whatever the relationship, the line of grey-and-white cats was continuing.