Me: Can we talk about dogs on sofas for a minute?
Nell: I did enjoy our visit yesterday. So nice to meet your writer friend Anni.
Me: Yes, it was lovely to see her and Brian, too.
Nell: Such a comfortable house and the shortbread was delicious.
Me: We weren’t going to tell anyone about that.
Nell: Really?
Me: Anyway, we still need to discuss the fact that you sat on the sofa. All three sofas to be exact.
Nell: And the views were just wonderful. Those rolling hills. Perfect.
Me: You are doing that not listening to me thing again.
Nell: Anni and I had a lovely chat. She is delighted about Knitwear Wolf and Myfanwy.
Me: The thing is Nell, not everyone allows dogs on sofas. Anni and Brian were fine about it, but we can’t just presume.
Nell: Did I tell you the Beefies have started their own clothing brand?
Me: No?
Nell: It’s called Birdberry. Trench coats, scarves, sunglasses. You know the style.
Me: I noticed they’ve started wearing scarves but I thought the sunglasses were just showing off.
Nell: The trouble is the Beefies are creating quite a buzz with their new campaign. The sparrows were all talking about it at art class.
Me: What campaign?
Nell: They are looking for The Face of Birdberry.
Me: Harriet would be perfect. She’s a spy, so a trench coat and sunglasses are compulsory.
Nell: Honestly, not all spies like to advertise the fact, you know.
Me: True.
Nell: And it’s called Birdberry. The clue is in the name. You need feathers. And before you suggest Gladys, or The Cat, feather boas will not do.
Me: What about Malcolm then? He’s a flamingo.
Nell: Malcolm is a shy trainee chef not an international supermodel.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
