Me: The light was so beautiful down on the beach, wasn’t it?
Nell: Yes.
Me: The magical glow of a setting sun.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Our little island in the distance and the sound of you all splashing in the sea.
Nell: Splashing in the sea? That’s not very poetic.
Me: I couldn’t think of anything else.
Nell: Anyway, we were retrieving. Well, Harriet and I were. David was chasing seagulls and making new friends.
Me: He does love a new friend.
Nell: The Jack Russell twins were not impressed.
Me: He bounced them.
Nell: Yes. I’ve been trying to explain that a gentle approach is advisable. One should stroll calmly up to a new friend and introduce oneself with a slight wag of the tail.
Me: I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dave stroll calmly.
Nell: No. He is more of a rush and bounce Labrador.
Me: He is only 18 months.
Nell: True.
Me: I don’t think I want him to change. Imagine a quiet, reserved Dave in a cape and deerstalker.
Nell: Why on earth would he be wearing a cape? He’s not Sherlock Bones.
Me: You mean Sherlock Holmes.
Nell: No, I don’t. Sherlock Bones is an extremely clever Lurcher. He lives on Dartmoor with his friend and colleague Doctor Foxhound.
Me: How do you know him?
Nell: He and I had a brief encounter many moons ago. He refers to me as “The Labrador”.
Me: How intriguing.
Nell: Yes. Now stop letting your imagination run away with you. Sherlock and I are history.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
