Here I am at my computer and its 4.46am!

Yes I have been up since about 2.45 am. Woken by a very large crashing sound, we found Matt who's bedroom is on the bottom floor of the house, chasing our lovely tabby Cleo (actually not so lovely) who had thought it best for all concerned to bring in the nights takings (namely a sorry looking but very much alive mouse) inside to share with the family. Mike my brave and unflinching husband and Matt number one son with an ice-cream lid (huh?) both in boxer shorts for battle gear fought galantly and managed to get the mouse outside. Before he could lock the cat door, Cleo was back in (with the mouse) and wondering why on earth we weren't praising her and giving her crunchies as a reward.

The ensuing battle probably had the neighbours calling 111, because the mouse ran under Emma's bedroom door, who awoke to find Mike hurtling into her room with a floor mop and a very crazed expression. Cleo made a break for it but I managed to head her off at the pass which in this case was the stairwell, chasing her back downstairs, still with the poor mouse at her mercy, followed by the screams 2 floors down, and a great deal of scuffling with a few utterances about b****y cats.

So its what?... 2 hours later and Mike has just reported that Cleo is outside our bedroom window...WITH THE MOUSE IN HER MOUTH!