Me: Look at Dave. My Big Beautiful Boy has such soft eyes this morning.
Nell: He is having Extra Special Cuddling Time on the big bed with Harriet. I am watching over them both.
Me: Any particular reason?
Nell: It is a wet and windy Monday.
Me: Yes, the weather is awful.
Nell: And he was a Good Patient Boy at the weekend.
Me: What did he do?
Nell: He peeled the vegetables for Poppy’s Cottage pie and then shared it with others.
Me: Good Brave Boy.
Nell: He also played quietly with Henry and Horst while Harriet was reading to Mutley.
Me: I’m having trouble thinking of a game a large Labrador could play with two woodlice.
Nell: Horst and Seek is their favourite.
Me: How do you play?
Nell: Horst hides and David and Henry have to find him. It’s not bucket science.
Me: Don’t you mean rocket?
Nell: No. You can’t measure biscuits with a rocket. Don’t be silly.
Me: Quite. I’m guessing it might be quite a slow game.
Nell: Nonsense. Horst is a master of disguise. Malcolm thought he was a stray peanut a few days ago and was about to put him in the bird feeder. Fortunately his bandana saved him.
Me: I sometimes wonder if Henry and Horst actually say anything. Could it all be in Dave’s head?
Nell: Have you heard some of Henry’s jokes? David couldn’t have made those up.
Me: But has anyone else ever heard them?
Nell: Of course we have. David is always telling them. He has keen ears. I’ve told you this before.
Me: I can tell insect jokes, you know. Have you heard the rumour about a giant butterfly in London?
Nell: No.
Me: It’s probably just an urban moth.
Nell: That’s dreadful.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
