Me: That sombrero suits Harriet, doesn’t it?
Nell: Yes. Fortunately The Cat had a whole selection.
Me: Good.
Nell: I wasn’t expecting to spend my Sunday in a large brimmed hat but needs must, I suppose.
Me: The Beefies seem pleased.
Nell: Poppy says they’re making a fortune selling them to tourists down at the beach.
Me: I bet they are.
Nell: Quite. Although Myfanwy said Pamela is swamped in hers.
Me: Do I know Pamela?
Nell: She’s a rather portly Pekingese from Paignton. Lovely singing voice, but definitely not a dancer.
Me: We’re all a bit like a walking advertisement for the Beefies.
Nell: That’s it. You’ve hit the snail on its head.
Me: You mean nail.
Nell: No, I don’t. Anyway, that text to David from Alejandro. The Beefies are behind it.
Me: So is he working with them?
Nell: Not by choice, perhaps.
Me: Why do you say that?
Nell: Well, you know he’s been identified as a suspicious alpaca?
Me: Yes.
Nell: I wonder if there is a problem with his visa.
Me: I don’t think we need to worry about that. Life is complicated enough without sorting out a South American alpaca’s visa requirements.
Nell: I think the Beefies are threatening to report him.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: They forced him to kidnap Gladys and send that text.
Me: The villains.
Nell: We need to speak to Alejandro.
Me: Good idea.
Nell: He needs to trust us, not the Beefies. I’m going to arrange to meet him. Harriet can come with me.
Me: What about Dave?
Nell: David can stay in the background.
Me: That might be difficult.
Nell: Why?
Me: He just walked past in a sequinned poncho.
Nell: He wasn’t wearing a false moustache though, was he?
Me: No, but The Cat was. Sorry.
