Me: Harriet has something on her mind. She looks concerned.
Nell: Probably because you cut the top of her head off in that photo.
Me: I was trying to get her legs in. They seem ever so long today.
Nell: Harriet is a Labrador not a Lurcher. Her legs are perfectly normal.
Me: Anyway, that’s definitely not the reason. She hasn’t even seen the photo yet.
Nell: If you must know, rumour has it that Jim the Farm Dog was down at the Quay yesterday sharing an ice cream with a mysterious lady Border Collie.
Me: When you say rumour I presume you heard it from the cows?
Nell: Of course I heard it from the cows.
Me: I thought you said you didn’t gossip?
Nell: I don’t. But when it comes to family I like to keep my eye on the bowl.
Me: Don’t you mean ball?
Nell: No.
Me: Anyway, I’m sure there’s a good reason. Maybe there’s a sheepdog convention going on?
Nell: Perhaps.
Me: What flavour was the ice cream?
Nell: Strawberries and cream.
Me: Oh dear. That is a little worrying.
Nell: Why?
Me: It’s a luxurious sort of flavour.
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous.
Me: Those combination flavours tend to suggest a special treat. Did it have sprinkles?
Nell: I don’t know.
Me: She must be in his bubble.
Nell: Excuse me?
Me: They couldn’t be sharing an ice cream otherwise.
Nell: Now, that is worrying.
Me: Maybe Jim has an extended bubble like we do?
Nell: What do you mean?
Me: Well ours keeps growing. First Princess and Our Penguin then Benjamin Seagull and now the dolphins.
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: Princess met some lost dolphins when she went for her daily swim.
Nell: I need a lie down.
Me: Yes. Sorry.