Me: Did you just stick your tongue out at The Cat?
Nell: I may have.
Me: I saw you do it, Nell, when The Cat was leaving. Luckily it didn’t notice.
Nell: It waltzes over here telling me to condition my fur and keep out of the sun as it’s ageing. Sauce!
Me: It was only trying to be kind.
Nell: No, it wasn’t. It was trying to sell me its creams and perfumes.
Me: Really?
Nell: Do you know David has started wearing after shave?
Me: No!
Nell: It’s called Salty Sea Dog and smells of seaweed. David smells like that anyway. At least Mutley only wears a little cologne.
Me: Has Harriet succumbed?
Nell: No. She has too much sense but Young Jim bought her a bottle of Summer Meadow. It has a definite whiff of the cow pat about it.
Me: The Cat won’t get anywhere with Poppy.
Nell: It doesn’t go near Poppy. She told it to keep away, or feel the sharp end of her sword.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: Apparently The Cat made disparaging remarks about Poppy’s scones. Said they were dry.
Me: Now that is rude.
Nell: Is Mutley wearing his Panama hat?
Me: Yes.
Nell: He overdid it on the golf course yesterday and has promised to rest today.
Me: Did you get your sunglasses back?
Nell: I did not. David jumped into the sea wearing them and they were last seen on a visiting seal. It’s the second time he’s done that.
Me: How annoying. At least they weren’t your reading glasses. You would be lost without them.
Nell: Oh no! The Cat is back and its carrying a parasol.
Me: I might have said it could join us for a game of croquet.
Nell: You did what? I’m not having it on my team. You had better warn Poppy. She is preparing tea.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
