Well, the kitty came out last night and tasted a mouthful of food, looking up and around for potential predators (I think she's nearly feral, she was booted outside so much) - she'd take a mouthful and retreat to where she could dash for the safety of her UnderCouch Cave if needed; getting a little braver as she went...
She enjoyed more petting, but retreated under the bed again at night-time.
This morning she had used the litterbox (whew!), and the food was clean gone, so I added more to her bowl - somehow I don't think she's going to do the post-starvation glut, which pleases and comforts me...

work is busy days and that's a happy Ruth