A cat's Memory Space
Laila
2011 — 2024
Laila, in the window seat.
A cat · carried with us
Kept by Ellen
Laila2011 — 2024
A tabby who kept her opinions and shared them freely with the radiator.
Laila was, for thirteen years, the second opinion in every room. She had views on visitors, on the vacuum, on whether the door should be open or closed, or both, in sequence, at intervals.
The story
The armchair, hers
· 01
The armchair in the corner was Laila's from the day she arrived. She did not ask. She simply installed herself, the way a cat installs herself, without fanfare and without apology. Guests who sat there were tolerated. Briefly.
The four o'clock chorus
· 02
At four o'clock, every day, she sang. It was not miaowing exactly. It was a small announcement, delivered from the top of the stairs. We never learned what it meant. We answered anyway.
The last summer
· 03
In her last summer, she chose the sunny patch by the door and stayed. She still had opinions. She still had the armchair. We still answered the four o'clock chorus, and she sang it, quieter now, but she sang it.
Milestones
2011
Adopted, aged eight weeks, from the shelter on Hill Road.
2013
Learned to open the airing cupboard. Slept there for a decade.
2019
Won a stare-down with a fox in the garden.
2024
A long, gentle summer. She chose her spot.
Favorite things
- — The orange armchair
- — The airing cupboard
- — The top step, for surveying
- — Boiled chicken on birthdays
Small rituals
- — Four o'clock announcement
- — The evening tour of the skirting
- — A slow blink, once a day, for the chosen person
A keepsake
The photobook
of Laila.
Every Space becomes a small, curated book. Full-bleed portraits, quiet caption pages, a quote spread. Download a PDF now. A printed hardcover is coming soon.
Continue wandering
