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
Milli wrote on 23 February 2008:
Dear Milli You are a veritable cavalry charge when you hold the pen in hand! I am reeling from the onslaught. My colour? Probably green - pink definitely does not work. Catherine? Ah, that would be telling... CatIsabel wrote on 22 February 2008:
Dear Isabel Robinson Crusoe perhaps? Or Gulliver's Travels. CatIsabel wrote on 22 February 2008:
My dear Isabel, I recently gave advice to someone who was on the other side of this triangle, advising her to spend more time with her friend. In the long run, I think friendship is more important than brief flirtations (I assume the young man has not approached your father to ask permission to court either of you). An honest talk with your friend about the situation might help. CatCat wrote on 21 February 2008:
Dear Cat (my namesake) Ah yes, I can see your problem. You are probably afraid of a thrashing when you return to school having failed to do your work (see Frank for an Avon rear protector). Self-discipline is the only answer I'm afraid if you wish to avoid the discipline of the cane. Just get your nose to that grindstone! CatCatherine wrote on 21 February 2008:
Dear Catherine I do not think it practical to dress as a boy the whole time as - er hem - there are differences you know between the male and female anatomy. I suggest you ask your mother or governess to explain. CatCatherine wrote on 21 February 2008:
Dear Catherine To the best of my knowledge I was about 2 or 3 when I was found in 1780. Pedro is about the same age, Frank two years older and Syd and Billy two or so years older than him. CatCatherine wrote on 21 February 2008:
Dear Catherine You clearly have not been reading your etiquette books. A young lady never divulges the intimate secrets of her heart to any but her nearest and dearest. CatMaryam wrote on 21 February 2008:
Milli wrote on 21 February 2008:
Dear Milli, A difficult choice - sewing for two weeks or 7 years in Australia. As I'd probably end up darning convicts shirts in Botany Bay, I'll take two weeks any time. Now to your problem. It sounds like your friend likes to be the centre of attention and feels excluded when you and Mickey are together (by the way, is Mickey a boy or girl? Is there any chance of jealousy here?). I suggest you approach her on your own so she doesn't feel as if she is tagging on to your happy little twosome all the time. Why not do something together, agreeing this with Mickey of course because you don't want to upset him/her, just the two of you so she remembers that you are her friend too. CatJenny-G wrote on 20 February 2008:
Dear Jenny You appear to forget that there is a boy involved in this little triangle. His feelings will matter too. Draw straws perhaps? Seriously, your friendship is probably more important than a light flirtation. Talk it through honestly and see what you have left. CatIsabel wrote on 20 February 2008:
Dear Isabel You have missed a treat. I cannot believe that a young lady would never have visited one of our two theatres. I hope that doesn't mean you went to Covent Garden instead - if so, I may find it hard to forgive you. I may go back to Paris, but at the moment there is blood running in the streets and it is not safe for a foreigner. CatMaryam wrote on 20 February 2008:
Dear Maryam, I assume you mean that your friend has someone in a dangerous job, like a soldier? All you can do, I'm afraid, is be a good friend and listen to them when they need to talk about their worries. CatEllie wrote on 19 February 2008:
Dear Ellie I am very relieved to hear you don't expect me to come as a convict - not that it takes much, just a stolen loaf when you're down on your luck. I've never heard of any other means of getting to Botany Bay but if I find one - and have a year to spare - I'll see what I can do. CatEllie wrote on 19 February 2008:
I am in shock! Surely you don't want me to be transported! CatLena wrote on 18 February 2008:
Dear Lena, I remember Little Turtle with great fondness mixed with terrible sadness - he shouldn't have died. I also feel a little guilt that it was my presence that caused him to lose his life - I know it wasn't my fault, but it feels it. As for Sasakwa, she's having a fine time at Boxton and I expect I'll see her soon. Ballet. CatIsabel wrote on 18 February 2008:
Dear Isabel It is a very distressing subject. To be honest, I do not hold out much hope of finding them, though I do dream that one day someone will claim me. CatJesse wrote on 17 February 2008:
Dear Jesse A fellow thespian. Stage fright is certainly known to me - though I think audiences realize you are just playing a part. I've never spared a thought to vampires. Should I? CatAnita wrote on 17 February 2008:
Dear Anita I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you are having to work so hard to get someone's attention they are probably trying to give you a signal that they want to keep you at a distance. I would let this one go. I don't have the same problem with Syd, Pedro and Frank because they're just friends - the best. CatMaryam wrote on 17 February 2008:
Dear Maryam You speak of wonders beyond my imagination (are you sure you haven't been at the laudanum and had odd dreams?) Good luck with your writing. CatCiara wrote on 16 February 2008:
Dear Ciara Not one. CatAdd your message