I left it for another half an hour and tried the food thing again. Still no response. So now I was concerned. You usually only need to open the food cupboard and they're both sitting there waiting expectantly... I called him again. Went around the garden checking in the bushes. Then came back into the house and searched again... it was then that I spotted a 'lump' in one of the beds. A rather cat-like lump. I pulled back the covers and the little bastard was sat there blinking at me making this kinda *prrrp* noise to highlight his disgust at being woken up. I can't believe his gall! Sleeping in the damn bed! He even got all arsey with me when I tried to move him.
Is it just me or have we been too soft on these cats?