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.