Me: How can that be comfortable?
Nell: Quiet. I’m thinking.
Me: Why hang off the side of the sofa like that?
Nell: Just eat your toast, please.
Me: I’m not really hungry.
Nell: What do you feel about second chances?
Me: I didn’t know I’d used up my first one.
Nell: This is not about you.
Me: Everyone deserves a second chance, Nell. We all make mistakes. Look at Dave.
Nell: What about third, or fourth chances?
Me: I don’t think he meant to eat those scones.
Nell: What scones?
Me: Did I say scones? I probably meant dry biscuits.
Nell: Never mind. This isn’t about David.
Me: Who needs another chance then?
Nell: Lionel King.
Me: I’m not sure he has any chances left.
Nell: He has returned The Cat’s store card.
Me: So it was him who stole it?
Nell: Yes. There was a note with the card.
Me: What did it say?
Nell: ‘Tell Nell, I’m sorry. I do bad things because I’m lonely.’
Me: Is that all?
Nell: Actually, I think it is quite a lot.
Me: Don’t be taken in again by him, Nell. He doesn’t mean it. He just got bored with buying unsuitable presents. He’s such an attention seeker.
Nell: What if he is lonely? What if that is the reason for all of this?
Me: You can’t go around kidnapping cubs and stealing cards.
Nell: No. Still it is rather brave to admit you are lonely.
Me: It’s another one of his games. Appealing to your softer side. Why else did he mention your name? He should have been saying sorry to The Cat.
Nell: You are probably right. He has lost his wife and child though.
Me: Through badness. Don’t forget that.
Nell: People can change.
Me: But can Lionel? Sorry.
