Me: You look awfully worried. Has something happened?
Nell: Why haven’t you been answering your iBone? I’ve been trying to get hold of you for ages.
Me: Have you? I didn’t realise. Why?
Nell: The last I heard someone was knocking at your door.
Me: I must have accidentally put it on silent.
Nell: Did you open the door?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Was it room service?
Me: No. It was a rather stylish French rook with an envelope in its beak.
Nell: Did it say anything?
Me: No. It just dropped the envelope, bowed and left.
Nell: How do you know it was French then?
Me: It was wearing a beret and a little red scarf around its neck.
Nell: I see. That makes sense. What was in the envelope?
Me: Well, that’s the exciting part. Dave and I have been invited to a party.
Nell: A party?
Me: Yes, this evening. It’s black so I’m not sure what I’m going to wear.
Nell: Don’t you mean black tie? You can wear your best dress.
Me: No. Just black. Dave has his top hat and fur coat but what about me? Maybe The Cat can send something over?
Nell: What does the invitation say?
Me: ‘NOIR cordially invites Sara and David Martin to a special soirée in the ballroom at 7pm on Tuesday, 18th January, 2022. Dress: Black.
Nell: NOIR?
Me: Yes, it means black in French.
Nell: It also means the Notorious Organisation of International Rooks.
Me: Oh yes. I’d forgotten.
Nell: You and David are going to have to be very careful not to arouse suspicion, but take as many photos as you can.
Me: Where are Henry and Horst going to go? I can’t wear my hat.
Nell: David has his top hat.
Me: Oh yes. Sorry.
