"Could always just ask for a personal demonstration," Childermass answers, immediately followed up by him surging forward to playfully knock Lambert, a much tinier animal, over and, as dogs do, lay on him. Cats don't tend to enjoy dogs roughhousing with them but he figures he can get away with it.

Even if not, claws can only do so much against thick fur like his, so he ain't even worried.

"You may have to say please, though. That may be a bit beyond a cat."