2nd January 1962

Disaster has befallen the vicarage! I think I've given the Rural Dean fleas. I feel much shame and embarrassment!

It all happened because this morning a stray cat appeared outside and I let it into the house. It's been a horrible rainy and windy day and the poor thing appeared on the terrace outside. I was drinking my morning coffee and I couldn't sit in the warm inside and ignore it. It was shivering and soaking wet and all I could see was a little pink mouth appearing as it mewed through the window at me. After I let it in I took it through to the sitting room where the fire was laid and lit it to get the cat dried off.

I think she's a girl and a pretty little thing once she was cleaned up a bit. A tabby with a gorgeous white chest and paws. I cuddled her on my knee while she was warming up and it was at this point I heard the doorbell ring and then heard William in the hall talking to someone. I laid the cat on the hearth rug and stood up to investigate and to my horror watched a good number of fleas bounce off my apron in different directions as I stood next to the sofa! The next moment William brought the Rural Dean into the room who then sat on the sofa where the unwanted guests had just alighted!

It was an uncomfortable time on my part as I watched anxiously to see if the Rural Dean did any unnecessary scratching while he drank his coffee. I think he did - so am now worrying he has fleas.

After he departed I gave Tabitha (she's staying and W decided on her name) a good scrub with some rather potent soap which we always used to use on the old vicarage cat when she came back from a night on the tiles covered in all sorts of dubious substances. I have also given the sitting room a good going over and hope I've managed to catch any left over fleas now.

She's currently curled up on the kitchen chair fast asleep after a good meal. It's good to have a cat back in the house.

Must be good and do visiting tomorrow. Tabitha took up the time I'd allotted to do it today.

Need to dig out my marmalade recipes tomorrow. We have been given a crate of Seville oranges by a parishioner and I must get to it. Time to dig the preserving sugar out of the cupboard and find the stash of jam jars that are precariously balanced on the shelf in the larder.

I must try and sleep now and put all thoughts of fleas from my mind.