A homemade banner stretches over the porch, reading “WELCOME HOME BEN!” in wonky painted letters. There’s a small huddle of people hovering on the driveway, who fall silent as the car approaches. Cellum toots the horn and waves. The children wave back enthusiastically.

“Well, here we are! Welcome to your new home!”

I put my paw to the door handle, and take a breath. Cellum rests a hand on my arm.

“You good? I can get them to leave for now if you’d rather.”

“It’s ok. I’m ok.”

“You sure?”

“Let’s do this.” I push the door open and climb out of the car. Someone - perhaps one of the children - gasps as I stand up to my full height. Well, let them be shocked. Still, I shrink into myself, walk slowly, trying to make myself look less threatening. One paw fiddles with the plaited wool on my tablet case strap, twisting it round and round. Alys would be proud that I’m carrying on. Jessie would be like these kids now crowding around me, wanting to touch my fur and babbling with questions about what it’s like to have a tail.

“Alright, alright, give the man some space.” Cellum comes to my rescue carrying my bag. “Ben, these are the Thompsons - Richy and Cal, and George, Jen and Max. Peter and Laura Saleford, from across the road, and this is Edgar Everett, he lives down at number 18. Ah, and here’s Eda!”

“Here you go, young man, I’ve baked you a welcome cake, and here are some biscuits too - a big strong guy like you will need a lot of food to keep you going, but do not fear, Eda’s here!”

I take the tins carefully and nod my thanks.

“Now, I’ll leave you all to it, let you get settled. I hope you enjoy living here, it’s a lovely neighbourhood, and don’t let no fool tell you otherwise! Cheerio.” Eda waves to us all and turns to make her way back to her own house.

Richy puts a hand on George’s shoulder. “We’d best be off too. It was nice to meet you, Ben.”

Soon, all the visitors had wished me well and left, and Cellum unlocks the front door.

“Tadaa!” They open the door and do jazz hands. “What do you think?”

I step inside and look around.

I knew it would be spacious from the plans, but I wasn’t expecting so much room. The front door opens into a hallway, large enough to house a shoe rack and coat pegs. On one wall is a door leading to a bathroom, and at the end is the door to the rest of the house. I step through it, ears just brushing the frame, and stare around in wonder. The nearer half has an arrangement of sofas and armchairs in a rough semi-circle around a coffee table. A TV is fixed to the wall above a fireplace, with Sandwich’s large glass tank perched on a table to its right. The front wall is covered with shelves holding books and board games.

The back half of the room is a kitchen and dining area, with a kitchen island taking centre stage to serve as a dining table. Cellum is filling up two glasses with water as their humming fills the room. I set the tins down on the island-table, and carefully crack the lids open. The aroma of freshly baked goods intensifies.

“Oh, those smell good! Let’s have some cake, shall we?” Cellum carefully lifts out two slices and hands one to me.

It tastes as good as it smells. Eda’s a fantastic baker. I finish my slice in three bites, then delicately lick the icing off my claws.

“You’ve got some on your whiskers as well. Here,” Cellum says as they finish their piece. I take the cloth they offer and wipe my face. I open my tablet case.

“We’ll have to bake Eda a thank you cake.”

“A thank you for the cake cake?”

“Yes.”

“What if she decides to bake us one back? A thank you for the thank you cake cake.”

“Anything for more cake,” I say, and we both dissolve into fits of laughter.

“Oh wow - you’re not wrong though. I told you it was good, didn’t I?”

“Your words did not do it justice.”

Cellum gasps in mock offence. “Ben! I like to think of myself as incredibly eloquent, thank you very much!”

I chuckle as they carefully lift Sandwich out of the tank. He sits happily in Cellum’s arms.

“Let’s continue the tour, shall we? This door here goes to the garden, it’s not too small - well, a bit smaller now than it was, but still pretty good. Your room is this one here, so you have a nice view of it.”

My room is filled with light, coming through the large window that does indeed look over the garden. It doesn’t seem cramped at all, despite the me-sized furniture. Not only do I have a bed and wardrobe, I have a desk as well, beneath the window so I can see out while I work. The adjoining bathroom is large too.

Cellum shifts from foot to foot by the door, watching me. I smile at them, or do my best - it probably looks more like a snarl, but my wildly wagging tail should help clarify the message.

“I thought you’d like it.”

I stride out of the room, back to my tablet which I’d left in the kitchen.

“Cellum, I love it.”