Cat Diary: Browniecat and the Extra Hour

Last night the clocks went back, and for Browniecat, the bakery's night owl, there is no better night in the whole year.

1.55am. Still awake, of course. Browniecat sat up on the counter beside the big kitchen clock to watch the extra hour arrive. At two o'clock the hands went back to one, and Browniecat gave a small, satisfied purr. "Free evening," Browniecat whispered to the cooling ovens. "My favourite kind."

10am. A very late breakfast. The rest of the bakery had been up for hours and Pancakecat had already made a full stack for everyone. Browniecat ate slowly, crumb by crumb, and explained that night owls do mornings at their own pace.

2pm. Preparation. Browniecat dragged the knitted blankets into the back room, plumped up the squashy armchair, picked out a stack of rainy-day books and lined up the reading lamp at exactly the right angle. Piecat popped in to ask what all the fuss was about. "It gets dark early now," said Browniecat, with deep contentment. "We have to be ready."

4.45pm. It began to get dark outside. Most of the bakery groaned. Browniecat beamed.

5.30pm. Hot chocolate, made extra thick, in the biggest mug. Browniecat settled into the armchair under two blankets, opened the first book and listened to the rain starting against the window. Every so often a little sigh of happiness escaped, the kind only a brownie that is soft in the middle can make.

9pm. Cinnacat came to say goodnight and found Browniecat on chapter six, wide awake and glowing gently in the lamplight. "Long winter evenings," Browniecat said, without looking up. "Fudgy, rich and best shared. Pull up a blanket."

Browniecat's verdict on the day: an extra hour, an early dusk and a full mug. The perfect start to the cosy season.

If you are a night owl too, come and meet Browniecat properly, or curl up with the Browniecat T-shirt from the shop.