Me: Look at Toby kissing Tony. Hasn’t he grown?
Nell: Toby certainly appears to be taking after his Uncle David.
Me: Darling boy.
Nell: Now, Rupert gave us some interesting feedback on his visit to The Cat at the Big House.
Me: Do tell.
Nell: It seems The Cat is rather frowned upon in the Maine Coon family.
Me: You mean The Cat is the black sheep?
Nell: Why are you bringing sheep into this?
Me: Never mind. What has The Cat done?
Nell: This is going to be a shocking revelation and one you would never expect to hear in conjunction with The Cat.
Me: Tell me.
Nell: The Maine Coons are Minimalists.
Me: They’re what?
Nell: Yes, I was shocked too and one of the llamas fainted.
Me: What does Minimalist mean?
Nell: They don’t like fuss. Muted colours. Clean lines. No frills or frippery and definitely no sequins.
Me: Oh my goodness. No wonder the llama fainted.
Nell: It is hard to believe the awful time The Cat must have had before it broke free.
Me: Yes. The Cat without sequins is like Rupert without a cardigan.
Nell: Rupert is never without a cardigan.
Me: You know what I mean.
Nell: Anyway, the big question now is how to handle the Maine Coon visit.
Me: Yes.
Nell: As I see it we have two options.
Me: Ok.
Nell: Option One is to conform. Tone everything down. No hats. No colours. No fuss.
Me: No sequins?
Nell: Exactly. Or, Option Two we do the opposite. Glittery glamour with all the extravagance we can manage and sequins everywhere.
Me: I don’t know about you but I’m Option Two all the way.
Nell: Yes. I’m inclined to agree.
Me: Bring on the dancing llamas.
Nell: Must we?
Me: Yes. Sorry.
