Me: Cheeky Animal.
Nell: How rude.
Me: No. I’m playing Cheeky Animal with Harriet and I saw her stick her tongue out.
Nell: She hasn’t got her tongue out.
Me: Not anymore.
Nell: Well, if you did see her then I must congratulate you because Harriet is one of our champion players.
Me: Yes. I know.
Nell: So now you have to stick your tongue out without being caught.
Me: Yes. I know how to stick my tongue out, Nell. See?
Nell: Cheeky Animal.
Me: That’s not fair. I was just showing you.
Nell: Exactly. Anyway, moving on, today is going to be rather hot according to the cows.
Me: Yes, I heard it might be a bit of a scorcher.
Nell: A bit of a scorcher? Have you been reading the Daily Growl again?
Me: I did give it a glance when Knitwear Wolf brought the morning papers. Why?
Nell: Just don’t believe everything you read.
Me: Now, I’m intrigued.
Nell: It’s full of gossip. ‘Woodlouse brothers Henry and Horst at loggerheads over mysterious butterfly.’ So intrusive.
Me: What mysterious butterfly?
Nell: Quite. She’s not mysterious at all. We all know who they mean.
Me: Do we?
Nell: Yes. Vanessa. You must have seen her. Bit of a painted lady, if I am honest.
Me: Are Horst and Henry really fighting over her?
Nell: I’m afraid they are. Vanessa is a little flighty. It’s a butterfly thing. They are so unreliable.
Me: I don’t want her upsetting the boys.
Nell: Well, it’s too late. David is with Henry now. He’s taking it all rather badly.
Me: Taking what?
Nell: Vanessa went to the Butterfly Ball with Henry but she left with Horst.
Me: I didn’t know there was a Butterfly Ball.
Nell: That’s not the point.
Me: No. Sorry.
