Me: Why is Dave sulking?
Nell: He has been grounded.
Me: What happened?
Nell: Have you seen today’s Daily Growl?
Me: No.
Nell: David has made the front page.
Me: What has he done?
Nell: He caused a scene at the Admiral Inn in Dartmouth yesterday. Here, read the paper.
Me: “Dog about Town, Dave Martin, and his sidekick, Beagle Bones, entertained holidaymakers yesterday with their singing and dancing. Chairs were overturned and tables were broken.” Oh dear.
Nell: Look who is in the background. The Cat. Wearing feathers.
Me: “When asked about the damage caused, Dave Martin replied: “We were just having fun.”
Nell: Well, David is facing the music alone because Beagle Bones has left town.
Me: Why?
Nell: Apparently after all the kerfuffle David and Bones were enjoying a drink when an elderly pug wearing thick glasses carrying a white stick came in and gave Bones a letter
Me: Excuse me?
Nell: Bones opened the letter. Turned white, which is actually quite difficult for a Beagle, and ran off.
Me: What was in the letter?
Nell: A black bowl.
Me: A black bowl?
Nell: Yes.
Me: How did it get in the letter?
Nell: Not a real one. A drawing of one. Do keep up.
Me: And that frightened Bones so much he ran away?
Nell: Yes. I don’t know why but I mean to find out.
Me: Sherlock Martin strikes again.
Nell: Don’t be silly. Tell Poppy, Jonathan likes his eggs soft boiled, please and ask David to come here as I need a word with him immediately.
Me: Yes, sorry.
