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!