Me: Those French rooks are back.
Nell: Yes, they are waiting for an answer.
Me: Harriet seems a little on edge and Dave is keeping an extremely close eye on her.
Nell: Yes. Anyone would be. Let’s be honest, nobody would choose to take tea with a black swan.
Me: I don’t know any black swans so I couldn’t possibly say.
Nell: You do. Madame Odile from the French bakery.
Me: Oh. I didn’t know she was a black swan. I thought only Sally was invited to tea.
Nell: Yes, with Mademoiselle Écarlate her French assistant.
Me: She doesn’t have one.
Nell: She does now.
Me: It’s not Gladys is it? Only I know she’s mastered the can-can but I’m not sure it’s suitable for tea.
Nell: No, it’s not Gladys.
Me: It’s Poppy. She wants to case the joint.
Nell: No, it’s not Poppy and kindly stop talking like an American gangster.
Me: Then it has to be you, although it’s hard to imagine you as anyone’s assistant.
Nell: It is not me.
Me: Now, you are going to laugh, but I just saw Harriet walk past in a long black cloak and veil.
Nell: That was Mademoiselle Écarlate.
Me: No, it was definitely Harriet.
Nell: You wouldn’t recognise a cunning plan if it was a chocolate Labrador wearing a black cloak and veil carrying a big sign saying “I’m a Cunning Plan”.
Me: Oh, I see now. Sorry.
