When I came home today I saw a black ball of fur barrelling out of our gate and charging across the street, disappearing into a neighbour’s yard a couple of houses down.  I nearly had a heart attack.  The cat – whom I recognised as Henry – was not in danger this time but the street crossing was reckless.

I parked the car and followed but didn’t find a trace.  I returned home deeply worried.  That’s when I heard Henry meowing at me from above.  It hadn’t been him after all — phew!  Nevertheless, I will have to teach him that the backyard is good, the side of the house with the road, even if it is not a busy one, is bad. I also wonder if it was really Henry that our neighbour spotted the other day.  If I could have made this mistake, so could she.