Just had the most fabulous greeting from the kitties. Got up, came down stairs and as normal cats had gone down ahead of me - they only move from their bedroom once they hear me moving about & see me going to the loo/bathroom etc.
Put the bits I'd brought down with me in the study & went to cross the bottom of the stairs to go into the living room (normal behaviour) with Tobias watching me from the 3rd stair. Offered him a finger to sniff which is our normal "hello" and he moved down to floor level right in front of me & hunched his shoulders up towards me the way he does when I'm stroking him at meal times.
AND HE LET ME STROKE HIM. No food on show, in fact this was detracting from me doing their breakfast. And it was him requesting it, rather than just accepting when he's distracted by the joys of Gourmet Pearle.
Then Girlcat wouldn't let me into the living room by writhing around in the doorway until I rubbed her belly into submission, something that's normally a bed time ritual.
There was dry food in the bowl, they were ready for their breakfast. The only thing I can think is that having had 2 weeks at home then back to work the last 3 days, they are showing that they do, actually, appreciate me 😁😍😹😻