Nell: David has fallen asleep on Poppy again.
Me: She doesn’t mind. Isn’t it adorable?
Nell: We don’t have time for adorable. There are hostages needing to be fed.
Me: Did you just say hostages?
Nell: Oliver and Henry are up in the treehouse too.
Me: Are they still negotiating?
Nell: If Negotiating means ordering pizza and singing songs into the night.
Me: Really?
Nell: Henry says Lionel is a delightful host and they’re all getting on ever so well.
Me: What does Sally think about that?
Nell: She seems perfectly happy. They’ve requested pancakes for breakfast, you know.
Me: With maple syrup?
Nell: That’s not the point. Poppy isn’t making them as she’s having a lie in with David and Harriet.
Me: I could have a go, if you like?
Nell: No. It’s fine. Sally has it all under control. Manuel is going to throw some up there.
Me: They could end up awfully sticky. I don’t expect Lionel wants syrup in his mane.
Nell: I don’t care what Lionel wants.
Me: I’ve just had an interesting thought.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Maybe Lionel is actually a lonely lion.
Nell: Lionel is a wanted criminal.
Me: Maybe Lionel just wants to be wanted.
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous.
Me: Being a baddie must be quite a depressing sort of life. Imagine only having the Beefies as friends.
Nell: A dreadful thought. Oh good. They’ve arrived.
Me: Who?
Nell: The Welsh corgi choir. They’re singing round the treehouse.
Me: Lionel is looking down at them. Goodness me, Manuel just threw a hot pancake in his face.
Nell: Clever.
Me: Is that Beauregard behind Lionel?
Nell: Yes. A simple case of distraction. Beauregard has him now.
Me: Oh, I see. Strike while the lion is hot.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Sorry.
