Julia Golding

Lucky wrote on 17 May 2012:

Hiya Cat! What do you think is the worst of the Cardinal Sins? (wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, or gluttony) And which one sin do you have the most trouble controlling in your personality?

I think they are all bad but maybe greed as it can lead to many of the others. In my case it is wrath.

Tallia wrote on 15 May 2012:

When do Frank and Charlie graduate?

Two or three years time.

alex wrote on 15 May 2012:

hi cat. please can we speak to billy

No, 'fraid not.

Emily wrote on 15 May 2012:

Hi Cat, Like you I have a love for words and languages and my favourite phrase ever is ' a lexical gap'. Do you know what a lexical gap is ? I didn't know until my friend Katie told me it was the word for something that had no name. Imagine that. An object/ thing etc. etc. that had no word to say what it was. A few weeks ago she stayed at my house and in a weekend that involved doing lots of reading and our creative writing homework on Twelflth Night ( my favourite play ever) and nearly setting my kitchen on fire whilst trying to bake bread ..... We did it ! We found one. Only we promptly forgot it. Do you have any ideas for lexical gaps ? Does enough else ? Is lexical not an amzing word ? Thank you Emily xx

That is what the word thingamajig was invented for.

Lara wrote on 15 May 2012:

Hi Cat I'm sooooooooo sorry about this but it's me being nosy about Nick's surname (again). Have you found out what it is yet? However ..... I have thought of some other (more orignal) questions to ask you - 1. Have you met Mary ( Nick's 'girlfriend') ? Is she nice ? 2. 3 words to describe Milly Hengrave 3. 3 words to describe Nick 4. 3 words to describe Joe 'the card' Murray ? 5. What is your favourite book and why ? I am once again sorry about this but I really do hope you find the time to answer my numerous, blunt and rather nosy questions and you aren't too distrubed by the barrage of inquiries you have just recieved. Thanks lara xx

I am getting suspicious about your interest in poor Nick. I don't know much about his life outside the gang - he is a friend but not one of my close ones. I don't think Mary lasted long: Nick isn't a good bet for anyone hoping to settle down. Millie is a breath (of) fresh air. Not a good bet. Slippery but fun. I like Evelina by Fanny Burney because it is a good story well told. Cat

haseena wrote on 15 May 2012:

hello cat. hows things in london. would i be able to talk to billy? you are my favourite book character!!!! luv you lots haseena

Dear Haseena Billy is too busy terrorising the poor citizens of London I'm afraid. Perhaps we should invite him back to the answer chair.

Imo wrote on 14 May 2012:

Dear Cat, Plz will you tell us when your next book is coming out and what it's about. from Imo PS: I love your books so much i've read them twice and am doing a speaking exam (the piece is when you were pressed ganged)I can say it word for word

I am flattered you chose my words. I am not yet sure about when the next book will be.

holy diver wrote on 14 May 2012:

Dear cat, I've mentioned in my last comment that there is lots of censorship in my country and,in fact that bath part from when you've met billy till you went to avons house has been nearly cut off!or maybe I didn't get you and you've "confessed" it somewhere other than your book.could you please explain?thanks P.S:I'm feelin' like my way of talking(writing) is a little "disrespecting",if so,please accept my apologies

Oh I see. Well there is a kiss in a corridor - Billy caught me by surprise. Cat

Dreamer wrote on 14 May 2012:

Dear Cat Please may I get some advice. Fora while I've been rehearsing for an international dance competition that occurs every two years. Its open to lots of countries including the UK but its mainly USA dancers that get in. Ive been waiting for so long to compete and I'm finally the right age but they've suddenly changed the application off from the UK! I'm so disappointed, next time they hold the competition I wont be in the age range so its now or never really. My dance instructor said it seemed to be a very much spur-of-the-moment descision, not letting the UK enter and towardsthe end of the application time they may open it to UK too! I've dreamed and wanted to compete in this contest for so long and I'm so disappointed! I know this sounds silly but I was wondering if maybe I should send off my dance tape anyway??? I wouldnt lie about where I lived or anything I'd make it clear I was from the UK, but maybe just so the dance judges could see my tape just the once and maybe I could even get a professional opinion on it emailed back? I'm really hoping for some sort of miracle as this competition has been such a huge aspiration of mine! Thank You Dreamer

Dear Dreamer What an annoying and unfair decision! However, I think your instructor has the right of it: you should wait and see. There is no harm in sending an appeal to the organisers now to ask them to rethink and perhaps get other dancers to support your request. I would not enter if you do not qualify as this might make it difficult to argue openly about changing their mind. (I don't understand how a length of tape will help you I am afraid unless this has something to do with measurements or dress making). Cat

Esther wrote on 13 May 2012:

hey Cat! What would u do if a miracle happened and Frank kissed you?? How would u feel?? THx! Esther xxx

I would be duly amazed by a miracle and I think Frank would kiss me (in a brotherly fashion) quite in the normal course of things. Cat

holy diver wrote on 13 May 2012:

Hi,cat I am not the best in starting a question or talk and such things ,so I'm going ta ask my question. I have read all your books and read each of 'em at least five times,but because there is a high amount of censorship in my country I never could find out what exactly happened in bath?could you please tell me? P.S:ain't you tired of all these people askin' who you're beau is or would be etc? If I were you I probably wrote on top of page in biggest font I could find:no more talk 'bout beaus and so,thanks! P.S2:I'm feelin' like singin' that beatles song which sais: As I write this letter, Send my love to you...

Dear Reader, I did confess all that happened in Bath - I blush to mention it now as that night was not my finest. Cat

Nadia wrote on 13 May 2012:

hello cat! i just want to ask if you had a beau then who would it be? I love your books, they are the best books I have ever read. Please will you write some more of them? I have only read the first three books in your series but I know the rest will be amazing.P.S. What is the order of the books you have written? thank you cat! Nadia xx

No beau thank you. The next is Cat O Nine tails. Best wishes Cat

Jess wrote on 12 May 2012:

To Billy. Why did you kiss Cat in Cat 'o nine tails? Did you enjoy it?

He isn't here.

Emelie st john wrote on 12 May 2012:

bonjour cat! I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our books.they are all brilliant, but i think our particular favourite is den of theives. do yo think you will ever visit us in paris again? love Emmie and Gavroshe P.S. tell your jf to keep of our territory!

I would love to come again but you have arrested your king and it is very dangerous at the moment. Keep safe!

Weather wrote on 12 May 2012:

Why did Billy try to kiss you again when you were in Angra?

No, thankfully

Rosetta wrote on 12 May 2012:

Dear Cat, How many kids do you want?

My goodness, I don't know - two or three eventually I suppose but so many infants die so young - and many mothers in childbed - I am scared of that prospect to tell the truth.

Blythe wrote on 12 May 2012:

If you could describe Frank in Four Words, what would they be? Love, Blythe Maudie Royal! <3 LOVE YA!

A very dear friend

Hollyhock wrote on 12 May 2012:

Dear Cat, What are all the layers of clothing women have to wear?

Shift, petticoat, stays, gown, then any over wear such as a shawl or pelisse.

Hollyhock wrote on 12 May 2012:

Dear Cat, Why is it bad for women to show there ankles in the 18th century? And, who has ever seen your ankles? Sincerely, Hollyhock.

Because ankles are private of course! Once you become a young lady, you must take care. Unfortunately my ankles have been on display when I dressed as a boy.

Flara wrote on 12 May 2012:

Hi Cat! Did you ever tell Syd or Frank what your mother named you? From, Flara.

No but I probably will.