Me: Why is Dave looking so concerned?
Nell: It’s the yodelling. David has keen ears and it is driving him mad.
Me: Yes, I have to admit the novelty has worn off. I can hear bells, too, but the cows aren’t wearing any.
Nell: The Beefies are wearing them. It’s not enough to yodel their way across Devon they have to wear bells now, too.
Me: Gosh. They are such annoying birds.
Nell: Annoying and rude. Did you hear what one of them shouted at Manuel?
Me: No.
Nell: ‘Socktopus’. They’ve obviously heard about his knitting.
Me: Do you think so?
Nell: Yes. He didn’t understand the reference of course. He’s from Barcelona.
Me: I don’t think he understands much English at all. He just smiles and says ‘Que?’
Nell: Yes. It’s rather endearing. I hope he doesn’t start clapping himself, though. He spends an awful lot of time with Princess in her pool and she never stops.
Me: It’s a seal thing. Do you think the Beefies are planning something?
Nell: I wouldn’t be surprised.
Me: We are going to have to protect him, Nell. We can’t let him be squidnapped. See what I did there?
Nell: This is not a laughing matter. Now that the Beefies are aware of his knitting talents he may well be in danger.
Me: What can we do?
Nell: Poppy is the obvious answer.
Me: Scones, or swords?
Nell: I was thinking more of self defence. Poppy is a black belt. She could hold a class like Gladys. Our Penguin can film her and put it online.
Me: Good idea. Manuel could be her guinea pig.
Nell: It’s not guinea pig, it’s guinea pug and we’ve had enough of those with Babycakes Gillespie. We shall all take part. Including you.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
