Our young narrator sits comfortably in front of a crackling fire, accompanied by an elderly woman. Their peace is shattered when a rebellious log leaps out of the fire and rolls to a stop at their feet, burning the carpet beneath it. This jump-starts the narrator's memory and reminds him of an experience that formed his opinion on marriage. This lively short story poses a multitude of questions and is an unmissable read for fans of Katherine Mansfield.

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.