Me: Why is Bad Sally tied to a kitchen chair with a scone in her mouth?
Nell: We had no choice. She wouldn’t stop shouting at everyone. You can call her Sadie by the way. She knows we know.
Me: Well, if she doesn’t, she is going to be having serious doubts about your hospitality.
Nell: She definitely does. After David left yesterday we decided to confront her. We need to know where he is going.
Me: Has she told you?
Nell: Not yet but Handsome is working on her.
Me: Not torture?
Nell: Certainly not. We are civilised.
Me: I don’t think appealing to her good nature is going to work.
Nell: No. We are using cheese.
Me: Cheese?
Nell: Hunters can’t resist it.
Me: So that’s why Gary the Bearded Goat is here. I wondered why he was delivering cheese on a Monday. Let’s hope Sadie starts talking.
Nell: She will when she sees the cheese board. Perfectly ripe Somerset Brie, Mature Cheddar, Cornish Yarg and Poppy’s savoury biscuits.
Me: Fingers crossed then. How is Harriet coping?
Nell: She is devastated. Not only her beloved brother is at risk but Jim too.
Me: Jim the Farm Dog?
Nell: Yes, he and David were in cahoots.
Me: Good word.
Nell: Thank you. As soon as David knew Sally was on Dartmoor he asked Jim to go with him as he knows his way around the area and isn’t phased by sheep.
Me: Clever Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: We should have guessed Horst would join them but it’s a nuisance as we won’t know if Henry gets in touch. So now our only option is Sadie.
Me: Don’t the other woodlice know Louse Code?
Nell: Of course they do but Henry isn’t contacting them, is he?
Me: No. Sorry.
