Week 193: aka Katya

We crest the hill together and see, in the morning sun, a ship at anchor. A boat that looks like it’s fallen out of a Pirates film and into Hastings harbour, boxing in the fishing fleet. This is what greets us as we order drinks at the Kiosk, before R’s first day at school. She has a lovely day of it. Sad at the door, but that’s not unusual. And the excitement at the end of the schooldays is off the chart. She is buzzed. On the way home we fall in with a neighbour who’s also in their first week, and do a circuit of playgrounds and fields before heading home to crash out. Through all this, a subplot: a friend of neighbour has to find a home for their kitten. They’re being bullied by the older cat in the home. Once we’re sure R’s fine with being at school, we commit. Saturday, after a scramble around some pet shops, we welcomed Katerina Petrova Zamolodchikova (aka Katya). She turned four months old on Sunday. Slight, curious, wary – she’s a magnificent fit. Big week.