Me: Why is Dave guarding Kev’s studio?
Nell: David has been assigned the top garden.
Me: Why?
Nell: Joyce says we need to cover all areas and the armoured woodlice can only do so much.
Me: I don’t care what Joyce says.
Nell: Now, I’m going to tell you something very important and you must keep it to yourself.
Me: I’ll do my best.
Nell: Joyce is a Border Terrier.
Me: I know that, Nell. You are a Labrador and Poppy is a Maltese cross.
Nell; No. Joyce is a proper ‘Border Terrier.’
Me: So she’s got a Kennel Club certificate. So have you, Dave and Harriet.
Nell: No. She keeps our borders safe. Joyce works with Sally.
Me: What?
Nell: She has been working undercover for some time and when Sally heard The Hunter was back she asked Joyce to keep a closer eye on us all.
Me: Was her relationship with Mutley just a lie then?
Nell: No. It was real. Mutley knew all about her.
Me: He never said.
Nell: Of course he didn’t. Mutley was never one to talk out of turn. He knew when to bark and when to hold his growl.
Me: But I don’t see why it has to be kept a secret from us all.
Nell: Sally thinks The Hunter is someone known to us. She can’t risk it getting out before we have tracked The Hunter down.
Me: So why are you telling me now?
Nell: You are half Welsh.
Me: I’m not The Hunter.
Nell: I know that. But if you feel yourself becoming a little more Welsh than usual you need to let me know.
Me: I quite fancy leek and potato soup for lunch.
Nell: That is not what I meant and you know it.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
