Me: Harriet looks beautiful.
Nell: She is doing her Morning Thinking.
Me: I see.
Nell: She needs to take the straw out of her mouth, though. I keep telling her chewing is unattractive but she says it helps her think.
Me: Fair point.
Nell: By the way, Kev isn’t happy with Alejandro’s sleeping arrangements.
Me: What sleeping arrangements?
Nell: I thought the Man Shed would be the ideal place.
Me: It’s Kev’s recording studio, Nell. He’s a voiceover artist. He can’t have an alpaca chewing in the background.
Nell: I’m sure Alejandro can keep quiet. But never mind, I’ll find another solution.
Me: When do they arrive?
Nell: Gladys texted David to say they should be here this afternoon. There was a slight altercation with a Dartmoor pony this morning which has delayed them.
Me: What on earth are they doing on Dartmoor?
Nell: How should I know? Hiking I expect, like everyone else. Anyway we have other things to worry about.
Me: What?
Nell: Count Bingo Flamingo is most unhappy about Gladys’s attachment to Alejandro. He told Malcolm he wants to meet him and has invited himself to dinner.
Me: He’s always been fond of Gladys.
Nell: And so has Ron Gilbert. He’s coming too.
Me: The Great Dane from Torquay?
Nell: Of course. How many suitors do you think Gladys has?
Me: I’m beginning to wonder.
Nell: Fortunately I’ve managed to deter Myfanwy and the Welsh corgi choir and if the Whippets Institute minibus arrives it can turn right back round again.
Me: But where is Alejandro going to sleep?
Nell: In the hammock. The nights are warm and he has a thick fleece.
Me: Can an alpaca get into a hammock?
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone knows alpacas love hammocks. Do keep up.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
