@BobbieT1999
: I rub his sides, horizontally iyswim,
Nope I'm afraid I don't! 
Sorry not the best description, will try again: in the morning he comes up to greet me and I kneel in front of him, then I stroke both his sides, longways, from his neck to his tail. His head is between my wrists, so he gives me a lick whilst purring like an engine.
Hope that's clearer!😸