Me: You sound tired. Did your plan work?
Nell: It all started well. The Cat managed to secure the map and finally we all fell asleep.
Me: Good.
Nell: Harriet was supposed to wake me this morning.
Me: Didn’t she?
Nell: No. Jonathan and I were woken at 7am by a dreadful screeching.
Me: Oh no.
Nell: It was that awful monkey Coleton Fishacre. Someone had trodden on his banana.
Me: Oh dear. Probably Dave.
Nell: Everyone woke up then, of course, and that’s when we discovered they had gone.
Me: Who?
Nell: David and Harriet with the map.
Me: No!
Nell: Yes. I mean I know David is headstrong but Harriet is such a sensible little thing and now they are out there on their own.
Me: What about the pirates?
Nell: Captain Hiro exploded with rage. He actually stamped on Jonathan’s sandcastle. He started screaming at me and it was only when Poppy raised her sword that he backed off.
Me: You must have been scared.
Nell: A labrador shows no fear. I explained that the puppies were still young and it was just harmless fun and that’s when I saw the note.
Me: A note?
Nell: Yes, from Harriet. In Jonathan’s bucket. It said: “Don’t worry. We will find it. Track us on Find my iBone. H. X”
Me: Clever.
Nell: Captain Hiro saw me reading it but Mutley got there first and ate it.
Me: That was quick thinking.
Nell: Yes. He needed a cup of tea and a lie down afterwards, mind you.
Me: So what’s going on now?
Nell: Captain Hiro, Ken and the monkey have gone off to find David and Harriet. Apparently Coleton Fishacre has amazing tracking skills.
Me: Really?
Nell: One hopes not. The corgis are supposed to be guarding us but they are just knitting and singing. Wait, I have a text.
Me: What does it say?
Nell: “Found treasure. On our way back. H. Xx”
Me: How exciting.
Nell: I need to get rid of the corgis before they get here.
Me: That’s awfully harsh, Nell. They haven’t done anything to you.
Nell: Not mass murder, you fool. Distraction. Good grief. Who do you think I am? Attila the Hound? Now, go away and let me think.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
