Me: Why is Harriet sitting up there?
Nell: She is counting to 100.
Me: Why?
Nell: To give Dave and Poppy time to hide. They are playing hide and seek.
Me: Can I play?
Nell: No. Mutley and I aren’t playing this time either. Three is enough. David counts as two already, to be honest. I just hope he doesn’t try and get in the dustbin again.
Me: I bet Poppy is good at it.
Nell: She has an unfair advantage as a Maltese cross but she is extremely skilled.
Me: I can imagine.
Nell: The best one was when she climbed into Jonathan Sky’s cot and sat there like one of his toys. Dave looked everywhere and never spotted her.
Me: Clever. Do you ever play?
Nell: Now and again, but I prefer to read the papers on a Sunday.
Me: Is that David trying to fit under the sofa?
Nell: Don’t draw attention. Could you pass me the Sunday Times please?
Me: Of course. Sorry.
