Jo Walker

Follows a group of Oxford students, one of whom undertakes research into the secrets of Ancient Egypt and becomes the talk of the college. Can these experiments breathe life to the horrifying bag of bones that is the Lot. No 249?

An endearing outlier, Brian lives alone in a Welsh valley, inventing oddball contraptions that seldom work. After finding a discarded mannequin head, Brian gets an idea. Three days, a washing machine, and sundry spare parts later, he’s invented Charles, an artificially intelligent robot who learns English from a dictionary and proves a charming, cheeky companion. Before long, however, Charles also develops autonomy. Intrigued by the wider world — or whatever lies beyond the cottage where Brian has hidden him away — Charles craves adventure.

A young squire accused of murdering a young girl that did not return his feelings of love reveals a supernatural secret at his trial.

A couple seem to voice the deepest doubts they have about their relationship, over a pleasant meal at home.

A lonely social outcast gets a glimpse of what life is like for someone popular, and cannot let it go, even in death.