This month’s story is clever and amusing, but also takes a bit of a dark turn along the way. In Tobermory by Saki, a cat is taught to speak and causes all sorts of mischief as a result. As always, you’ll get the most out of this masterclass if you read the story for yourself: https://writ.rs/tobermory

The first paragraph sets the scene. Our characters are guests at a country house party, which gives Saki the opportunity to bring in various recognisable tropes. Hunting (or in this case, lack of it), playing cards, and singing around the piano, amongst others, are all gently mocked.

But this is a house party with a difference. The hostess, Lady Blemley, has invited a certain Cornelius Appin to be a guest. The problem is, she isn’t quite sure why. Notice how his personality is described as ‘homely negative’ and his ostentatious name of Cornelius deemed ‘transparent baptismal fluff’, and that, although