Me: Harriet is awfully good at Cheeky Animals.
Nell: She’s a trained spy.
Me: One minute she looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth and the next she’s sticking her tongue out.
Nell: How do you feel about butter on your scone?
Me: I don’t need it. As long as I have the jam and cream I’m happy.
Nell: My friend Dorothy likes butter on hers but I find that excessive.
Me: I agree, although sometimes I do like a plain scone with just butter.
Nell: I worry about you sometimes. Anyway, you’ll be pleased to hear that David has made a breakthrough with Lionel.
Me: My clever Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Apparently they bonded over bacon sandwiches and Lionel revealed that NOIR are also involved in the distribution of stolen gems.
Me: The Notorious Organisation of International Rooks?
Nell: The very same.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: David also noticed a very suspicious gang of rowdy blackbirds bothering the smaller birds and stealing their suet balls, so they may be involved too.
Me: I don’t think suet balls are the same as diamonds and pearls, Nell.
Nell: They are if you’re a small bird and you’re hungry.
Me: Yes, I suppose so.
Nell: Sally has asked us all to keep a close eye on any suspicious bird activity in the area.
Me: Does that include Malcolm? Only he was looking a little shifty this morning.
Nell: What are you talking about? Malcolm couldn’t look shifty if he tried. He is a completely honourable flamingo.
Me: He was definitely hiding something, Nell. He put it under his hat.
Nell: Interesting. Did it look like a prawn omelette?
Me: No. It was a simple cotton sun hat.
Nell: I meant what was under it.
Me: Oh, I didn’t see. Sorry.
