Slade House

by David Mitchell

Lady Grayer insisted you come along, so…you have to act normal. Can you do that? Please? Think of the most normal boy in your class, and do what he’d do.”

“Shouldn’t we tell its owner it won’t be coming home?” “How? Pick it up and go along Westwood Road knocking on all the doors saying, ‘Excuse me, is this your cat?’ ” Mum sometimes has good ideas. “It’d take a bit of time, but—”