Snow and the New Year fireworks that nearly broke us

Snow is a mixed-breed cat with a white coat and a black patch over one eye, and in six and a half years he has never once been brave about loud noises. Thunderstorms send him straight under my bed. New Year's Eve in Bangkok is worse, because the fireworks go off over the river all night and the whole sky sounds like someone dropping metal trays on the roof.

Last year I tried something new. I shut the curtains, turned on the fan for some background hum, and put a soft blanket in his favourite box in the wardrobe. Then I sat on the floor reading a magazine and pretended I wasn't watching him. He came out after about twenty minutes, sniffed my sock, and climbed into my lap as if it had all been my idea.

This year he still hides, but he's a bit braver. He doesn't need the box as much now. Mostly he just wants company, and honestly, so do I. Happy New Year, Snow.