1. A head pops over the fence followed by a bag of food as a thank you. I explain that having a kitten to play with for a few days is thanks enough.

1b. Later, the little kitten runs around and around the table then jumps on my lap for a hug.

2. Strange races down the garden from the house, bouncing to clear the ground faster and meowing all the way. I didn’t realise I was that exciting. (I think it was the prospect of going in the chicken run that was really exciting.)

3. The gorgeous fields in the evening sunshine. It’ll be a shame when they’re covered in houses but we’ll enjoy them in the meantime.

3b. I enjoy the willow tree in the office park down the road, and describe my like of them to John. I say they’re like “the Ludo of trees” and John not only knows exactly what I mean, he does a passable impression of him too.

3c. I tell her that she has very cute cats (I’m not lying) and she tells me that she thinks Lily is cute too.

4. The dog pulls a perfect “whhhhhhhhhhaaaaaat?” face when I ask get if she’d like to go for a wee.

1. I’d mentally blocked off the whole day to work on something but finish it within an hour.

2. Kaufman cuddles in next to me and looks up at me in that way which demands attention.

3. One of my favourite dinners – a dry but highly spiced curry thing, with chicken and paneer – followed by a slice of my favourite cheesecake. I tell John that he should have bought me a whole one for my birthday but he’s right, I would have wasted it – or rather, wouldn’t have enjoyed a glut as much as I do a precious, rare slice.

1. I’m half asleep – more than half really – but I drag myself into consciousness as a towel is placed on my chest and a tub of breakfast curry placed in my hands. It’s just about the only day of the year when we eat breakfast in bed and I get a little turmeric-stained oil on the duvet, but sssh, don’t tell Louisa.

2. Our neighbour drops around a little present for feeding her cat for the last few weeks: a little coin purse made from can ring pulls. It’s a perfectly me thing.

3. Our other neighbour laughs when we tell him we’re off for a “cheeky Moody Cow” in the hour and half before I’m due at a meeting with him.

3b. R-kitten really wants to nibble my fingers and M-dog jumps on my knee when her dad steps up to do his presentation.

3c. I phone my mum with the express purpose of letting her serenade me, then I joke about hanging up as soon as she starts singing.

1. John pulling his buttoned shirt over his head is endearing; him trying the same move without realising his shirt is buttoned is just funny.

2. The hidden little lanes that remember when this area was like a country village. The cottage gardens overflow with pretty flowers and to the other side, towards the canal, it’s wilder, a haven for wildlife displaced by the development over the water.

2b. We’re surprised by the size of the tree – and how we’d not seen it before.

3. Like my hair after its split end removal the other day, the strawberry bed looks so much healthier after I clear away all the bad berries.

1. Fluffy light pancakes for breakfast.

2. It’s been a busy day for us but we find the time to have a quiet rest before the evening.

3. I show my friends around the allotments. I lose them at different points as they find their fruit bushes to pilfer.

1. Our neighbour catches me while I’m hanging out the washing and we chat about kitties while little R-kitten explores his new garden.

2. I get my first haircut in a year. I knew getting rid of my split ends would improve things but oh wow. My hair looks so much healthier and shinier now the dryness has gone.

3. It’s awfully hard concentrating on this very serious, complicated manner when a playful little kitten, a lovely friendly cat and a sweet happy dog are underfoot.

3b. The water is just the right temperature and feels impossibly clean in my mouth.