CC is claustrophobic, I have a fear of spiders but with Yvette it's cats.

At first, she didn't say anything because she realised how much we adore our six small furry creatures but then I noticed that she flinched a little if any of them approached her and she always preferred to sit on a chair at the table rather than on an armchair where one of them might want to come on her lap.

Eventually my friend admitted that she was terribly afraid of cats but that she was making a great effort to get used to them.

Her daughters were amazed to learn that she was prepared to come and visit a home where there were so many felines on the prowl so she was obviously making progress already.

A few weeks ago she brought one of her daughters to see us. She persuaded her mum to stroke one of the twins. Another victory.

But this week, Yvette actually sat on an armchair with Toby perched on the arm beside her. CC and I stood by to grab any cat who might leap on her but then she decided she'd like to try having Toby on her knees.

I grabbed a camera. Despite her anxiety Yvette let Toby sit there long enough to take a picture. Et Voila!

Chloe always used to be happiest on top of our wardrobe. Maybe she felt safe from the rest of the cats, or perhaps she was just shy. Whatever her reason she would only come down to eat, use the litter tray or creep into our bed at night.

However now that the house is upside down because of decorating (and the wardrobe has fallen apart) our Chloe has been forced to integrate.

At first, when the bedroom was emptied and 'out of bounds' she was rather lost. She would scamper through to the conservatory and hide under a chair but gradually she came round to the idea that this was 'her' house too. She realised that she had as much right to curl up in an armchair as any of the other cats and she didn't have to wait for a human lap before she dare make herself comfortable.

She took a liking to the soft stool in front of the television - one of Pepper's favourite seats - and held her ground against all opposition until, one evening we actually found them sharing it.

Another popular place is the radiator and all the cats vie for position when it's turned on. At first, Chloe was not very pushy but now she waits her chance and jumps up like the rest of them, as soon as it becomes vacant. Then she stretches out in contentment and enjoys her snooze.

We may be  fed up with the length of time it's taking to get this bedroom repainted but it's doing Chloe the world of good. She is a much more confident little cat.

There are some nasty people around and it seems we have a vicious person living near us.

Yesterday this notice was distributed by the mairie:

Avis a* la Population        Notice to the population

Un chat a été empoisonné, rue du moulin. A cat has been poisoned in Rue du Moulin

L'intoxication a été provoquée par une substance convulsivante (du style curater). It was poisoned by a substance which causes convulsions. (I couldn't find 'curater' in my dictionary. Anyone know what it means please?)

Selon le vétérinaire ce type de produit aurait des effets identiques sur un enfant. According to the vet this kind of substance would affect a child in the same way..

Il est donc demandé aux parents d'inciter leurs enfants a* ne pas s'approcher d'un chat mort ou blessé ou de ramasser des substances genre granulés de couleur. Therefore parents are requested to tell their children not to go near a dead or injured cat or to pick up any substance like coloured granules.

(* I know there should be a grave accent but can't figure out how to do it. Character map doesn't seem to work. Sorry)

Now while I appreciate that our village has quite a large population of feral cats this kind of behaviour disgusts me. Apart from causing a cat to suffer a painful death this person has also endangered the lives of any children who might, inadvertently, touch the poison.

In addition, my cats are now pacing the house in frustration because I won't let them out. (Rue du Moulin is only a few metres away). Several of them jumped on my head, poked me in the eye and generally said 'wake up' in their own inimitable way this morning and leaped to the window as soon as I stirred.

But no. Mummy wouldn't open up. I tried explaining it was for their own safety but they didn't understand. Holly showed her displeasure by peeing on the table and Toby vented his anger by chasing all the others. The house was full of hissing, spitting and snarling  for some time this morning and the fur was flying.

Fortunately they have all calmed down now and are snoozing in their favourite armchairs.

The question is; how long can I keep them indoors?

If only it were possible to make a catproof fence to keep them in our garden.