Me: This might be a difficult question.
Nell: Try asking it.
Me: Is there any particular reason why you and Dave have brand new yellow tennis balls and Harriet and Poppy have none?
Nell: We secured them first. Why?
Me: It’s only that Harriet and Poppy don’t look very happy. In fact I would go so far as to say Poppy looks extremely put out.
Nell: Does she?
Me: She’s turned her back on everyone.
Nell: Poppy doesn’t even like tennis balls.
Me: I know but sometimes it’s more about the Not Having then the actual Having, if you know what I mean.
Nell: I don’t. David will give his ball to Harriet as soon as we are on the beach and, as previously mentioned, Poppy doesn’t even like them.
Me: Maybe you could roll yours over to her for a bit?
Nell: Certainly not. Poppy and I are far too busy today to be concerned with tennis balls.
Me: If you say so.
Nell: Now, the Maine Coons are expected at 4pm.
Me: Is Lionel King driving them here in his Rolls Royce?
Nell: Possibly. The Whippets Institute minibus will have to park near the Big House to allow space for the Rolls.
Me: I didn’t know they were coming.
Nell: The llamas can’t dance without a Big Band. Do keep up.
Me: Oh yes.
Nell: And The Cat is an honorary member so they were always going to show their support.
Me: This is turning into a proper celebration.
Nell: Yes, it is.
Me: We could pretend we celebrate The Cat every year and we accidentally invited the Maine Coons to afternoon tea at the same time.
Nell: Nonsense. An accidental invitation is not something I would ever allow. I have standards to maintain.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
