Me: I could watch you all having fun for hours. There is something magical about dogs on the beach.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: The way you embrace the freedom to just run and let the wind ruffle your coats.
Nell: Ruffle our coats? What are you talking about? It was freezing. We needed to run to get dry.
Me: You know what I mean. You love it.
Nell: We do. A brisk swim is the perfect start to the day. You should try it.
Me: I’m afraid the water needs to be warmer for me.
Nell: Now, it’s Sunday, so another quiet day for everyone. Charlie and I are about to listen to The Archers Omnibus on the radio.
Me: I love The Archers.
Nell: Susan and Humphrey are joining us for lunch along with her mother Sheila. Malcolm says Sheila is rather shy.
Me: So not seagully at all.
Nell: I don’t think that’s a word. Not all seagulls are Beefies. You know that. Both Susan and Sheila are the gentle kind. Was that a knock at the door?
Me: Yes. Do you think it’s Susan and her parents?
Nell: They are awfully early. Lunch isn’t until one. Look out of the window.
Me: Oh dear. There’s a huge Beefy at the door wearing a grey cravat and carrying an envelope in its beak.
Nell: Go and get the letter and take David with you.
Me: Ok.
Nell: So, what is going on?
Me: You are not going to like this.
Nell: Tell me.
Me: The letter was for Malcolm and the grey cravat is actually Susan’s cloak. Here it is. Malcolm says you should read it.
Nell: It’s from Susan. Stephen Seagull has taken her to Beefy HQ. She says Malcolm needs to go there right now.
Me: He can’t. They’ll eat him alive.
Nell: Do calm down. We need to make a plan. Tell everyone to gather in the living room. I will fetch Charlie. The Archers will have to wait.
Me: I don’t think they can, Nell. It’s a radio programme. It has to go out on time.
Nell: That is not what I meant. Honestly, I despair of you sometimes.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
