Cat's Q&A

Cat's Q&A

CAT'S Q&A

Do you have questions that you would love to ask Cat Royal? Allow Cat to put her 18th Century perspectives on your modern dilemmas.

My dear friends,

Good news - the Duchess of Avon has now answered your questions.  Her replies are now posted.

Dr Golding has told me that some of my messages to her which she used to record my sea-going adventures are now available on something called Twitter.  You have to look for Catherine Royal but then can follow my story there.  It gives a behind-the-scenes look at what went on - not everything made it in to my memoirs. 

I have also just received this shocking news from Mr Egmont, my bookseller:

Dear loyal readers,

We had hoped to publish Cat Royal’s latest adventure in August of this year, but instead we have had to delay publication after a terrible occurrence.

The precious manuscript was snatched from our offices late one evening, possibly by that unscrupulous publisher, Mr Tweadle, or one of Billy Shepherd’s henchmen, we do not know. Happily one of our editors was working late and spotted the thief .... Pursuing the villain, he saw him cast the script into the Thames, and with the help of a local fisherman was able to rescue it in time to save it ....

But sadly for all Cat’s readers, much of her tale had to be retyped through water damage and we will not be able to have it ready for publication for this August. We hope to have it ready for the press ten months later than expected.

Yours regretfully, Mr Egmont

I am very frustrated by the delay, which once again is out of my hands.  I have decided instead to release on these pages a small adventure - a novella in fact - for my faithful readers to read for free.  I will start the installments in August to reward you for your patience.  It will start at the point I left you in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, please do carry on asking for my advice.

Cat Royal

Messages

Amy wrote on 20 May 2008:

Dear Cat: I havent all your books but i always wanderd if there is someone you fancy(i really im wandring) also whe did billy become so ice to you?
I think you might mean nice - though he is icy at times. I don't know - you'll have to ask him. Cat

Laurence wrote on 19 May 2008:

Dear Cat, For book day at my school, we dress up as our favourite character, and I have chosen Pedro as I really like him. What type of clothes does your friend Pedro wear, what does he look like (short hair, dark complexion, ...?) Thank you very much. Laurence
Dear Laurence, A few years ago (1790) Pedro would wear livery - smart uniform for being in the orchestra. Or a costume for stage - Ariel or the Mogul Prince. Last time I saw him he was dressed in shirt and breeches - not too thick as it can be quite hot on San Domingo. Cat

Mighty Me wrote on 19 May 2008:

Cat, At school, I was thinking, if Billy had a devource with his wife, and asked YOU to go to Covent Garden with him for an inoccent walk, would you: A:Laugh at him. B:Take his arm and go with him. C:OR, go call for Syd to beat him up. I'd take B! From, the Mighty Me.
He is not married yet - but he would need an act of parliament to get a divorce. And A. Cat

jessie wrote on 18 May 2008:

Dear Cat, the other day i saw this boy that had been helping out with me at a club last year. He was really nice and i think he had a crush on me i liked him to. Yesterday i saw him again and when he saw me his face kind of lit up and he smiled and waved. Do you think he likes me if so how can i get him to ask me out or somthing( tips on flirting are definetly needed as well) Love your desperate friend Jess x x x x x x x
Dear Jess What are you waiting for? You know the answer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ask him if he wants to go somewhere with you, perhaps to the fireworks at Vauxhall Gardens or a promenade in Hyde Park. He either says yes or no, but at least you'll know. Cat

annie wrote on 17 May 2008:

hey cat by the way love the books i love the sound of ur cat pendant and love the factthat in every story something happens ro do with a cat for example your tatoo, i am blonde tall and love to have fun what animal would you say i was? p.s i wish i could have an adventure like you.
My goodness, how would I know? I fear to offend you by making a guess. Do any other readers have a suggestion? Cat

Katie wrote on 17 May 2008:

What would you do if pigs could fly?
Catch one and exhibit it at Bartholomew Fair - I'd make a killing. Cat

Gem Lou wrote on 17 May 2008:

Thanks for the advice i'll talk to my teacher on Monday From Gem Lou

Jessica wrote on 17 May 2008:

what do you think about vampires? (This was the first question that popped into my head *laugh*) Say hi to the Guys for me! (Try and put in a good word with Billy to answer our questions with you more often please, he's hilarious!) p.s Has Billy found out about your tattoo yet???
Um, no, I'm trying to keep that from him but I think one of you may have dropped a hint. Vampires? I'm not familiar with that word. Cat

Isabel Bennett wrote on 16 May 2008:

Hi Cat, Do you think that if you had the chance to go to school you would enjoy it, even if there were bullies like Richmond? Because I'm getting rather fed up with my school because one of the girls is really anoying me, (thought she dosen't kick me unoncious thank goodness) do you know how old you are?
Dear Isabel I've come to the conclusion that even the best schools have many shortcomings - but I want an education so I would gladly put up with them. I'm about 14 or 15 I would guess. Cat

Serian wrote on 16 May 2008:

Cat, My congratulations on answering all these questions and continuing your normal life. IT seems a heavy burden to bear. Your patience astounds. I was wondering whether Billy would be following your lead and remaining to answer a few more questions on a regular basis. Unfortunately I missed his questioning. such a pity, If you see him perhaps you could suggest it to him. Serian
I'll see what I can do... Cat

Gem Lou wrote on 16 May 2008:

Hi Cat! Me again. Got a bit of a complicated problem at school. I was moved up in my first year at scool and when all my friends from my old class went to high school i had to move back down to my original class. But in my new class all the "popular" girls don't lke me or the people i hang out with. They call us the grannies because we sit and talk (in my case read) at playtimes and don't like football. Then they started to hit me in the lunchline, ignore me in PE lessons when i'm put in their group and tease me because i'm going to an all girls grammar school. I have told an adult and they said "You've got 6 more weeks with them just grit your teeth and bear it" . But sometimes its really horrible. (Told you it was complicated!) What should i do???? From Gem Lou
Dear Gem Lou, Those girls sound like a barrel full of snob's cats - no fun when you get near their claws. I would guess that the bullies' behaviour is fueled by jealousy if you're known to be clever. First, I think your 'adult' is out of line - 6 weeks is no excuse. Go higher up the chain of command or get your parent/guardian to speak to someone. Your school should have a rule about bullies and stick to it or girls like that will think it acceptable to behave badly. Secondly, I'd shrug off the granny remark - quite a few old ladies I know are worth more than braggarts like them. Think of the Miss Millers - out saving slaves when they could stay indoors and knit. Better to be a granny than an idiot. As for hitting, that is a big 'no'. You probably need back up in the queue. Can you get your gang of quiet girls together when queuing so no one is left alone to face them? I would also have a word with your PE teacher and explain what is going on in the teams so she doesn't put you or others in your position in with these bullies. I hope some of this helps. Cat

eleri wrote on 15 May 2008:

hi cat i was wondering where in scotland are you going to be? or are you not allowed to say?
You'd better ask Dr Golding. Cat

Katie wrote on 14 May 2008:

Wouldyou rather get covered in marzipan or feed lions?
You have an odd imagination - I think you'd better lie down in a darkened room for a while. Marzipan. Cat

lola wrote on 13 May 2008:

You say that Billy has his moments. Do you wish Billy was always like he is during those moments? Thanks! Lola ps. Frank or Charlie?
Moments when he can't help being a tiny bit kind. Cat

Lucy wrote on 13 May 2008:

Dear Cat I just want to say how I think it would be so cute if you got together with Syd!

Aria wrote on 13 May 2008:

Thanks for the advice Cat! Aria

jazmine codrington wrote on 12 May 2008:

I think that your book rules and I am wondering what time the next book is coming out. p.s who do you prefer as a companion billy or frank /syd?!!!??
Dear Jazmine Dr Golding is in charge of timing. If by companion, you mean friend, then both Frank and Syd make great travel companions; Billy has his moments. Cat

laura wrote on 12 May 2008:

cat you rock!! has billy shepard stoped tring to kill you?
For the moment. Cat

Aria wrote on 12 May 2008:

Dear Cat, theres this girl at my school in my class who dislikes nearly everyone in class and is also quite rude and is often annoying. She fell out with her friends who were beginning to get annoyed with having to put up with her and suddenly SHE broke up wth THEM. I'm the only one in class who speaks to her sometimes because i feel a bit sorry for her, because she's on her own, but now she has asked me if she can hang around with me. She is v.v.v.v annoying, but i can't leave her by herself because thats mean. She doesn't like my friends (because they are her ex-friends) and my other friends don't have the patience for her as she is quite a teachers pet. She also doesnt have any intersts or hobbies and she only likes her own culture and always talks about that and my friends and i are bored of how her culture is so much better than everyone elses. i dont know what to do and i am desperatly confused, please help! Aria
Dear Aria I really sympathize with your situation - which you are in because you are a very nice person. It is possible that the girl's behaviour is because she feels very insecure so goes over the top to make everything about herself sound the best. Or maybe she is just a pain in the proverbial. I suggest the best thing is to be pleasant but cool; if she wants a real friendship, rather than a temporary one while she's between friends, then she might realize that she has to be nice to you to earn it. Cat

Anne wrote on 12 May 2008:

Thanks for the advice Cat=) Your so right. Thankyou XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Add your message

Please type the code shown below into the box. This helps us to reduce junk mail.
*