Me: Sally is very beautiful, isn’t she?
Nell: She does have something of the film star about her, I must say.
Me: She reminds me of Grace Kelly.
Nell: Grace Kelly is an Italian greyhound. She works with John the Doberman at Starbarks. Sally doesn’t look like her at all.
Me: I meant the film star. How is John by the way?
Nell: Funnily enough he is in the kitchen with Poppy right now discussing Christmas muffins. Starbarks are looking for new ideas.
Me: Do you think those two will ever get married?
Nell: Who knows. Talking of marriage I am hoping young David doesn’t do anything reckless.
Me: Why?
Nell: He is completely besotted with Sally.
Me: Yes, when she walked in to dinner and said ‘Hello, Davey,’ he leapt into the air.
Nell: His name is David not Davey and he’s a Labrador not a chihuahua.
Me: He is a Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: He ate most of the Yorkshire puddings and half of Malcolm’s dinner before she had even sat down.
Me: It was by mistake. Malcolm didn’t mind. There was plenty more.
Nell: Well, I think they make an odd couple. Sally is a sophisticated spy and David isn’t.
Me: They say opposites attract. Look at Gladys and Alejandro.
Nell: I would rather not. Who rides around the table doing somersaults on the back of an alpaca wearing a sombrero and singing ‘Guantanamera’?
Me: Everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Nell: Did you notice Rupert was very quiet?
Me: Yes, he seemed rather thoughtful.
Nell: He was wearing a very loose sort of cardigan in a dull grey. Not his usual style at all.
Me: He is a bit of a lone wolf though, isn’t he? See what I did there?
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Sorry.
