Me: Richard is really pleased with Harriet’s progress.
Nell: Excellent news. I knew she would do well at the vets.
Me: They were all so happy to see her back to her old self. Lots of cuddles and smiling faces.
Nell: Did you enjoy the picnic?
Me: We did. How was your tea?
Nell: I’m having second thoughts about the cat.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: It drank out of the milk jug and took all the smoked salmon.
Me: How rude?
Nell: Poppy had made sandwiches and it took the salmon out and left us with the bread.
Me: Shocking.
Nell: Half way through our game of bridge it lit up a cigarette. In the house!
Me: That’s not on.
Nell: I told it to go outside of course and it left. Just like that.
Me: Cats don’t really care about convention.
Nell: Well, that’s it, as I said to my friend Dorothy. I’m not having that cat in my reading group.
Me: Do I know Dorothy?
Nell: She’s a Salcombe Setter. One of the sailing crowd.
Me: I didn’t know you sailed?
Nell: Of course I sail. I learnt in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. I used to do Cowes Week but all that partying can be tiring.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Anyway, I can’t stand here chatting all day. Herr Schaeferhund, the German Shepherd, is arriving at any moment to teach the puppies and he needs his coffee. Hot and strong.
Me: Is he now?
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: You like him. Admit it. You are wearing a new scarf and is that perfume I can smell?
Nell: This old thing and it’s just my usual Chanel. Stop meddling and go and get the coffee.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
