Haven't had a chance to read the PMs yet, but look forward to doing so. BUT!!! Madeline has been spotted, and, as I suspected, it loitering in the back footpath. There is heaps of cover there, so I suspected she would go to ground there.
The man who responded to my flyer rang, and as we were speaking, she wandered across this back garden. Unfortunately he went out and she shot of back up the path. Of all the gardens in the street, his is the best one for a lost and confused cat as he has a double block, with the undeveloped section overgrown with vegetation.
So the plan is, he will put food out for her every morning at 7 am, in the routine she is accustomed to, and I have put the Ikea Tent half way along that part of the alley (with a note explaining why it is there), together with another bowl of food which will be replaced twice daily. I will sadly have no idea whether it is Madeline or someone else eating from my bowl, but my neighbour at No 68 will know when she eats from his.
So all is not completely lost, phew!
Will keep you posted and will spend some time in his back garden every evening until I can get her safely home ...