Gerard gestures for Julian to follow him into the kitchen where there's a little island with tall chairs for seating. He talks as he puts the kettle on and gets some mugs out.

"Mum wasn't exactly the nurturing sort when I was growing up - and definitely not the kind you'd want to put small helpless creatures at the mercy of. When I was finally free of her I told myself once I got back from that trip to America with Gertrude I'd get myself a cat. I'd always wanted one. I ended up dying in America instead."

It's a sad story, sure, but like so many other tragedies Gerard tells himself it's normal.

"Got Retrosleep as a gift. She's been a real joy."