Seska - you may, if you can capture Merlin, want to sequester him in a small room for a few days. The fact that he's hiding behind the couch would indicate to me that he needs a small cozy space - maybe even the bathroom with a blanket-lined cardboard box to hide/sleep in. If you can fit that and a litter box in the bathroom, of course. Too much space can be scary for cats, if it's unfamiliar.
Do y'all have Feliway or a similar product over there? It's happy cat pheromone spray. I've used it and I know others have, too.
As for this dude? No offense, but if I were you I'd say firmly and authoritatively that it takes at least a few weeks for a cat to recalibrate to a sense of home, assure him you've got it under control, and then proceed as you feel best once he leaves. Definitely get the cat chipped and maybe a breakaway collar, too.
All IMHO.
Sorry I grossed everyone out!! In retrospect, should have whitefonted.
Tired. Dropped friends at airport. Successful FQ expedition. C tried to convince me that the bartender at Felipe's might be a good match for me. Think laconic John Lennon, with a labret piercing - I wasn't feeling it.
I am carrying an umbrella with me at all times from now on. And I'm going to start acquiring parasols. Oh! Was it here we were talking straw cloches? We stopped in Payless because C needed better walking shoes, but they only had it in black. It fit well, though, so maybe I'll order it online.