Nell: What’s your opinion on magpies?
Me: I’m not sure I have an opinion. There certainly seem to be an awful lot of them around at the moment.
Nell: I agree.
Me: Is there any particular reason why we’re discussing magpies at this time of the morning?
Nell: Gladys has lost her favourite sparkly earrings and she thinks they took them. You know how they love anything shiny.
Me: Were they a family heirloom?
Nell: Not as far as I know. In fact I would go so far as to say there’s a hint of the Christmas Cracker about them. But they are precious to Gladys which is all that matters.
Me: Well, I’ll definitely keep a look out for them.
Nell: Thank you.
Me: I’m glad Beauregard was allowed home with just a caution.
Nell: Yes. The Beefy who reported him was startled but not injured.
Me: Shame.
Nell: That’s what Poppy said. Anyway, PC Panda has asked Beauregard to keep to a low growl in future.
Me: It wasn’t a low growl this morning.
Nell: No. It was a definite roar. Malcolm dropped his toast.
Me: Although weirdly the roar seemed to be coming from far away. I wonder how he did that?
Nell: He says it wasn’t him.
Me: Maybe it was the sea? It can be loud at times.
Nell: Do you think Walter Pigeon is capable of theft?
Me: I’ve never thought about it. Why?
Nell: David says Walter has become extremely competitive recently during their games of Cowardy Custard.
Me: Really?
Nell: Yes. David says there is a steely glint in his eye and he is refusing to back down.
Me: I can’t see him in sparkly earrings though?
Nell: The thief won’t actually be wearing the earrings. Do keep up.
Me: No. Sorry.
