Me: The girls are looking lovely.
Nell: Are you talking about the Welsh corgi choir? Those red shawls from Knitwear Wolf are just the thing.
Me: I was talking about Poppy and Harriet actually. I haven’t seen the choir this morning.
Nell: They’re in The Barn entertaining the pug family.
Me: Are they from the United States?
Nell: No, they’re from Wales. You’ve been listening to them sing for years. Have you been on the mulled wine already?
Me: No. I meant the pugs. I thought they might be relatives of Babycakes Gillespie’s.
Nell: Do you seriously think that Babycakes would leave them out in the cold?
Me: No. I suppose not.
Nell: They’re from Cornwall, by the way. They ran a little cafe down there but it had to close due to all the restrictions. They couldn’t pay the rent so they decided to move to Devon.
Me: Things aren’t much better here. It’s a really difficult time. What’s to be done?
Nell: Actually Knitwear Wolf is in a meeting right now with John the Doberman and Babycakes.
Me: What about?
Nell: Pasties. Rupert suggested that John and Babycakes add pasties to their menus for next year with the pugs as their suppliers.
Me: That’s wonderful.
Nell: They need to sort out some proper living accommodation for them first.
Me: The Cat might have room at the Big House.
Nell: The Cat can’t cope with pugs and pasties. Do try and be a little more realistic, please.
Me: Yes. Are we going on a picnic, Nell?
Nell: No. Why?
Me: I saw Poppy packing picnic baskets with sandwiches, cakes, tea and scones.
Nell: That’ll be for Olive the Other Reindeer and friends. They’ve got a busy night ahead. It’s Christmas Eve you know.
Me: Of course it is. Sorry.
