Me: You have a secret smile today, Nell.
Nell: I most certainly do not.
Me: Is it to do with Charlie?
Nell: I believe Count Bingo Flamingo may have invited Charlie to his party.
Me: I knew it. What party?
Nell: Do you never listen? It’s all everyone has been talking about for weeks.
Me: Is it?
Nell: Yes. The Count’s Curry, Canapés, Cake and Castanet Celebration.
Me: That’s rather an odd combination.
Nell: Poppy and Malcolm are doing the catering and when Harriet pointed out that spice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea they added canapés.
Me: What about cake?
Nell: You can’t have a party without cake. Don’t be silly.
Me: And castanets?
Nell: There will be a flamenco/fandango dance off.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: Gladys and David are dancing the flamenco and Malcolm and Timothy the fandango. The Cat will be adjudicating.
Me: Will there be sequins?
Nell: Of course. We are all going dressed for fandango, or flamenco. David is insisting on Cuban heels.
Me: He’s going to be ever so tall.
Nell: Exactly. It’s fine for Poppy to wear her Cuban heels they go with her Toreador outfit and she needs the height.
Me: Will there be music?
Nell: Mutley will be on the piano but the exciting news is we managed to book the Gipsy Cairns.
Me: I don’t think I know them.
Nell: They are a famous group of Cairn terriers who sing in Andalusian Spanish which is odd because they come from Scotland.
Me: This has been quite a year, hasn’t it? So many wonderful new friends.
Nell: It certainly has. And next year is going to be even better.
Me: Yes. Our very own book. A huge thank you to all of you for your kind words and support. It really means the world to us.
Nell: They know. Just wish them all a Happy New Year.
Me: Yes. Happy New Year and may your dreams come true.
Nell: Did I just see David wearing Cuban heels carrying Gladys upstairs in my handbag waving my fan?
Me: Yes. Sorry.
