Me: What’s the matter with Harriet?
Nell: She is in a huff.
Me: Why? Monday blues?
Nell: No. The Cat has gone over budget on Christmas decorations.
Me: They are lovely though.
Nell: When she voiced her concern at this morning’s management meeting David told her to relax and chill.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: She takes her duty as treasurer very seriously. She always balances the books.
Me: Yes. I admire her as I am rubbish at figures.
Nell: It is not your strong point. Anyway, Alice is doing her best to calm her down and David has apologised.
Me: He is good at that.
Nell: Yes. He has had a lot of practice. She is refusing to talk to him, however. Even when he offered her this week’s pocket money.
Me: That was sweet of him.
Nell: Yes. In theory. In fact he doesn’t actually have any left as he already spent it on pulled pork baps at the Christmas Fair.
Me: With apple sauce?
Nell: What on earth has that got to do with it? Honestly, I despair of you sometimes.
Me: Maybe I should try and mediate.
Nell: Please don’t. Alice has it all under control and Jonathan and Mutley are waiting in the wings with some of Poppy’s shortbread.
Me: I suppose if all else fails Gladys could perform a contemporary dance.
Nell: This is exactly why we are keeping you out of it.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
