Me: Harriet looks cheerful but what’s the matter with The Cat?
Nell: Do you notice anything different about it?
Me: It’s looking awfully grumpy but then it probably hasn’t had its morning espresso yet.
Nell: Look harder.
Me: It’s rather understated. No sequins, no sparkles. No anything really.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: Is it having a beige day?
Nell: The Cat never has beige days. There’s been a Shocking Development.
Me: What?
Nell: The Cat was robbed.
Me: Robbed?
Nell: Yes. Here at the hotel. All its jewels have gone.
Me: Oh no.
Nell: And that’s not the worst of it.
Me: It isn’t?
Nell: It was wearing most of them when it happened.
Me: Didn’t it notice?
Nell: Of course it noticed. The masked thief was in its room holding The Cat at sword point.
Me: How frightening. Did you say sword point?
Nell: Yes. It was Poppy’s sword.
Me: Poppy would never do such a thing. She doesn’t even like jewels.
Nell: It wasn’t Poppy. It was a huge masked thief in a full length black velvet cloak with an attractive hood. Do keep up.
Me: That’s an awfully detailed description of the cloak.
Nell: It’s The Cat. It knows about clothes.
Me: Did it recognise the face?
Nell: The thief was wearing a mask.
Me: Oh yes.
Nell: But as it left The Cat noticed one important thing.
Me: What?
Nell: The thief had a tail.
Me: A feathery one?
Nell: No.
Me: So, it definitely wasn’t a Beefy?
Nell: Of course it wasn’t a Beefy. They’re not huge.
Me: Did it speak?
Nell: Yes. It had a low rumbly sort of voice.
Me: Like Kev?
Nell: Kev? How could you say such a thing?
Me: He has a rumbly voice.
Nell: Outrageous behaviour. Accusing Kev.
Me: Sorry.
