Every evening the old lady settles down in front of the television.
She knows it won’t be long before Misty jumps up onto her lap. The ageing cat seems to give her owner time to settle down and make herself completely comfortable quite deliberately, before appearing at the side of her chair. The old woman loves the way her companion waits patiently for her to pat her leg, signalling that she is ready for the sweet animal to join her for the evening. Soon, the soft vibration of her steady purring is felt on her legs. It is a wonderful ritual.
It is only on very rare occasions that the old woman allows the thought, no, the question, to come into her mind.
Does this really still happen or is she simply reminiscing?