Me: Why is Dave outside on his lounger? It’s freezing out there.
Nell: David is Keeping an Eye.
Me: Can’t he do it from inside?
Nell: No. The merest glimpse of a hat and he will give a Warning Bark.
Me: Dave’s going to be very busy. Lots of people wear woollen hats in this weather. He is going to be barking all day.
Nell: Not any old hat. A cowboy hat with a shiny band.
Me: Are we talking about Lionel King’s hat?
Nell: We have made a shocking discovery.
Me: Tell me.
Nell: I received a most disturbing photo from my friend Dorothy today.
Me: Was she wearing a cowboy hat?
Nell: Certainly not. Dorothy is a Salcombe Setter. If she’s wearing a hat at all it will be a sailing cap.
Me: Of course. Silly me. What was in the photo?
Nell: Stephen Seagull wearing exactly the same hat.
Me: I didn’t know he liked sailing. I’m very surprised the Salcombe Setters have allowed him to join.
Nell: No. He was wearing the same hat as Lionel King.
Me: That can’t be true, Nell. A lion’s head is much larger than a seagull’s. Stephen would be swamped.
Nell: Good grief. The same hat in a smaller size then.
Me: That is worrying.
Nell: Yes, and when questioned Kev admitted he saw something glinting in the sky just before he started singing.
Me: I don’t think you should be questioning Kev like that.
Nell: The questioning took place in front of the fire over a cup of tea and some of Poppy’s scones not in the dock in front of a jury.
Me: Why wasn’t I there?
Nell; You were upstairs writing. You’re never aware of anyone or anything when you’re writing. You know that.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
