I slept badly last night. Or rather I found it hard to get to sleep last night. There is a difference. MasterB was out and about. I washed my face, cleaned my teeth and went to get him in. No sign. I walked around the square. No sign. Then I spotted Romeo in the garden. Perhaps the boy was trapped under a car. I knelt on the asphalt and peered beneath undercarriages. Nothing. I started to walk the square again. I admit I was starting to panic. No sign of a little ginger body in the gutter, but had he been lifted? was he trapped in a shed someone had closed for the night? Lights were going out in all the houses. Everyone else was settling down to sleep. I jingled my keys, usually that is all it takes for the Boy to appear. Nothing. I scanned the community beds where I know he likes to lurk. I looked back toward the flats and there was a cat by the gate. It looked like MasterB. It was MasterB.
We were reunited and my heart settled. He, unconcerned, rolled a while on the pavement and outstared Smudge, a cat who lives round the corner. We went inside. By now I was wide awake, adrenalin pumping through my veins. The guys who deliver meals via Deliveroo were parked on the parallel street and enjoying a noisy conversation. Each time I was on the edge of sleep I woke up. It wasn’t only conversation. Surely there could be electric mopeds? The ones they use sound like souped up lawnmowers. It reminded me of a sleepless Saturday night in Delphi long ago. So eventually I slept, but all day I have felt that sleep deficit, and the online prep I have been doing has suffered from my poor concentration. I fear I am to be the class dunce tomorrow.
However tonight was a night to celebrate, to note in the diary to commemorate in yearS to come. B&J, immured in their house since March, went to Celia and Charlie’s garden where I joined them and our hosts for a socially distanced evening. Red wine did a lot to boost me. I hope it carries through until the morning. It was really lovely to see them outside, to chat, to socialise not via a screen. A warm fuzzy feeling was (I hope) shared by all, that and the hope that there will be more of these careful evenings while summer lasts, and real time friendships will be strengthened in gardens. Fab.
Stay safe. Keep well. And hope for my sake that MasterB is ready to come inside now so I can get to bed.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Hurrah for B&J – hope all had a wonderful evening. Meanwhile, MasterB delves deeper his understanding of the role of “cat”. Now including bringing the person who most loves him to the point of panic – and responding with a slow stretch and roll as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. I’m certain he feels he has taught you a lesson.
To be fair, this is not the first time he has shown a decidedly relaxed attitude to my bedtime. But it is very bad for my health.
Yesterday evening was great. I hope we do it again soon.