Nell: Excuse me. Who is that?
Me: Nelly.
Nell: Only Rupert calls me Nelly.
Me: I didn’t mean you.
Nell: You just said my name.
Me: I was talking about Romanian Nelly. She was rescued 5 weeks ago by a lady called Jan. I had a lovely chat with a kind gentleman who takes Nelly for walks on the beach most days.
Nell: Oh.
Me: Nelly was surprisingly open and affectionate considering her past. Not like you at all.
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: Nobody could call you open and affectionate.
Nell: I can be.
Me: Only to certain people, almost exclusively male by the way.
Nell: Nonsense.
Me: Kev, Chris, Tony.
Nell: Moving on, did you notice Harriet’s bravery?
Me: I did.
Nell: The Beefies were gathering again but she soon put a stop to it.
Me: She was fearless.
Nell: Yes, fortunately no biscuits were thrown. Did you warn Romanian Nelly not to eat them?
Me: I didn’t know I was supposed to.
Nell: Well, make sure you do next time. Timothy was most insistent that we leave those biscuits alone.
Me: Why? What did he find?
Nell: The usual spices; cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom.
Me: Delicious. They always remind me of Christmas in Germany.
Nell: And something else.
Me: What?
Nell: He doesn’t know, but it looks Suspicious.
Me: Suspicious? That sounds a bit worrying.
Nell: Yes, and this is a worrying time for Timothy anyway.
Me: I know. I noticed he’d lost a few feathers.
Nell: Stress will do that to you.
Me: I think tomorrow’s Argentine Tango is getting to Dave.
Nell: Why?
Me: He’s got ever such a croaky voice.
Nell: But he’s supposed to be singing with the Whippets Institute Big Band.
Me: I don’t think he will be now. Sorry.
