Helen Brown wasn t a cat person, but her nine-year-old son Sam was. So when Sam heard someone mention that her cat had just had a litter, he pleaded to go and see them. Helen was powerless to resist and the deal was done – to be delivered when the kitten was big enough to leave her mother.

Just a week later, Sam was killed in a road accident. Not long after this, a little black kitten was delivered to the family s doorstep. Totally numbed by Sam s death, Helen had completely forgotten about the new arrival, which belonged in another universe when Sam was still alive.

Helen was ready to send her back, but Sam s younger brother, Rob, identified with the kitten who d also lost her brothers. Stroking her, it was the first time Helen had seen him smile since Sam s death. There was no choice, the kitten – dubbed Cleo – had to stay

Cleo s immense character slowly taught the family to laugh again, giving them hope of getting back to normal. She went on to become the high priestess of Helen s household – vetoing her new men, terrifying visiting dogs and playing an integral role in their lives to become both a guardian and friend.