Nell: What on earth are you two wearing?
Me: We were just taking a selfie with our Italian ice cream seller hats. Doesn’t Dave look adorable in his?
Nell: It is very fetching. Why are you wearing one?
Me: Don’t worry it’s Harriet’s.
Nell: Of course. She agreed to help David after the cone throwing incident.
Me: What cone throwing incident?
Nell: Let’s just say that Gladys doesn’t take well to criticism.
Me: What happened?
Nell: Well, they were down at the quay selling ice cream when a Siamese cat with an eye patch….
Me: Was it injured?
Nell: Not at that juncture. I think it was just a fashion statement. Anyway, the Siamese cat complained about hair in its strawberry cone and suggested Gladys should wear a hairnet.
Me: But Gladys doesn’t do hairnets.
Nell: Quite. Apparently heated words were exchanged and Gladys lost her cool and threw a limoncello cone at it.
Me: Goodness me.
Nell: Unfortunately it missed the Siamese cat and hit a passing poodle who was out for a stroll along the quay with her husband.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: The husband was furious. His wife doesn’t like limoncello at the best of times.
Me: No, I’m not a fan either.
Nell: And the basset hound who ordered the limoncello cornet was even angrier because he’d been waiting a while.
Me: I expect he was.
Nell: Anyway, David tried to clear up.
Me: What a good, helpful boy.
Nell: But Gelato said Gladys was simply too volatile and he would have to let her go.
Me: So Harriet stepped in?
Nell: Yes. David needs someone calm and discreet beside him if he is to find out more.
Me: I can be calm and discreet.
Nell: We both know it’s never going to happen so give Harriet back her hat, please.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
