BBC Radio 4, December 20, 2018

Sometimes it’s not just the cat that suffers…

Keith Graham’s sound design has been one of the distinguishing features of this series of short adaptations of M R James’ ghost stories, and it’s very important to this one, in tandem with director David Hunter ensuring that Paul Heath’s Paxton projects just the right level of desperation of someone who’s discovered that sometimes getting what you want isn’t always the ideal situation. As with so many of James’ stories (in particular the ones featuring in this five-tale series) there are tropes that feel very familiar, but which work so well because of the way in which they’re used.

Neil Brand has tweaked elements of the original story in a manner that increases the tension, and although anyone with the slightest knowledge of this sort of tale can be pretty sure what the ending will be, we’re led to it in a gripping manner.

Verdict: Another strong adaptation. 9/10

Paul Simpson