Me: Excuse me, Nell. What are you and Dave doing?
Nell: Playing Cheeky Animals, of course.
Me: You know it’s Wednesday Writers today and I have a workshop this morning on Zoom.
Nell: That’s fine with us. Zoom away. We’re not bothered by it at all.
Me: But Dave is getting really over excited. He’s doing that pouncing thing.
Nell: You mean bouncing. It’s called the Pre-Bounce Stance. The front legs must be on the ground with the rear end raised. David is positioned perfectly, isn’t he?
Me: Well, perhaps you two could play it downstairs and not where I’m trying to work?
Nell: This is not a game, you know.
Me: What is it then?
Nell: It’s part of David’s training. As I always say to my young charges ‘You need to Watch and Wait to Win.’
Me: What young charges?
Nell: You know I run a class for the younger animals. Marvin and Ollie attend along with David and Harriet and occasionally Naughty Nigel.
Me: Why do you have to practise it now?
Nell: Dear me. You seem to have got out of the wrong side of your kennel this morning.
Me: You mean bed.
Nell: Do I?
Me: Seriously though. I need to concentrate.
Nell: I happen to know that the Wednesday Writers love to see us in the background.
Me: Yes, they do but only if you are quiet.
Nell: We are quiet.
Me: You know that isn’t true. The first glimpse of The Neighbours’ Cat and you’re off.
Nell: The Neighbours’ Cat is rude and provoking.
Me: It’s just sitting in its own garden.
Nell: Smiling smugly.
Me: You wouldn’t like it if I disturbed your class.
Nell: We wouldn’t let that bother us. We’d just press mute. You should try it.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
