Me: Oh, Nell, you’re home.
Nell: Of course I am.
Me: I woke up this morning and there you were next to my bed.
Nell: As soon as I heard you were unwell I said to Rupert, ‘I don’t care if they’ve caught that wretched lion or not, I’m going home. She needs me.’
Me: I’ve missed you terribly.
Nell: Now, with a cold and a cough it’s essential to keep up your liquid intake.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And nothing beats lemon and honey tea.
Me: Ok.
Nell: Poppy is also preparing some chicken soup for lunch.
Me: It isn’t really soup weather.
Nell: I don’t care, soup is what you’re having.
Me: What about ice cream?
Nell: We’ll see.
Me: What’s the news on Lionel?
Nell: They thought they spotted him on Dartmoor but it turned out to be a lynx.
Me: A lynx? What on earth was it doing on Dartmoor?
Nell: Hiking with the family. Beauregard said it wasn’t best pleased.
Me: It wouldn’t be. I expect it ruined its holiday.
Nell: Yes. Nobody wants to be pounced on by a tiger half way up Haytor.
Me: They certainly don’t. I wonder where Lionel is.
Nell: There have been several sightings. Sailing at Salcombe. Surfing at Bantham. The usual things. Beauregard will find him eventually.
Me: I hope he doesn’t turn up here.
Nell: He wouldn’t dare. Everyone is armed to the teeth.
Me: With swords?
Nell: No. That’s just Poppy. The others have wooden spoons and water pistols.
Me: Is that enough?
Nell: A hard tap on the muzzle will deter most lions and they hate getting their manes wet.
Me: I never knew that.
Nell: Why would you? Now, drink your lemon and honey and stop worrying about lions. I’m here now.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
