The story starts with the introduction of an Old Lady who lives on top of a hill which is the only hill for miles around. The house is very, very Victorian; a comfortable house, one that we would all love to live in. It overlooks the village from its vantage point high on the hill. We are then introduced to the pets, or companions the Old Lady keeps in her house. There is Brindle London Squatting Cat, a Magical Mouse, who can turn invisible at will, an Alligator from China named Alexander and a Yak from Tibet.