Me: Have you seen Harriet this morning?
Nell: I have.
Me: Is she alright? Only, she didn’t come upstairs after breakfast for her usual cuddle.
Nell: I’m afraid cuddles are out of the question at the moment.
Me: Why?
Nell: Harriet is being interviewed by the police.
Me: What?
Nell: Harriet has been a very naughty animal.
Me: What’s she supposed to have done?
Nell: CCTV footage shows a chocolate Labrador with an extremely sandy tennis ball on the steps to the beach yesterday evening.
Me: But Harriet was out the front on the terrace with Dave, wasn’t she?
Nell: I’m afraid she wasn’t.
Me: Are you sure?
Nell: Yes. I quote: ‘When questioned, Mr David Martin was forced to admit that his darling sister Harriet was not with him all evening.’
Me: Darling sister. Bless him.
Nell: ‘Mr Martin thought the accused was in the back garden visiting Beauregard and Mrs King.’
Me: Are they being questioned too?
Nell: We all are.
Me: But what’s Harriet supposed to have done?
Nell; She went to the beach alone.
Me: She shouldn’t have done that.
Nell: No, she shouldn’t.
Me: I bet she was spying for Sally.
Nell: I’ve spoken to Sally. This was not a spying mission.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: It seems that Harriet went to the beach alone simply to have fun.
Me: She does love the sea.
Nell: Beach visits are not allowed without supervision. Everyone knows that. All dogs must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Me: Hang on a minute. There aren’t any CCTV cameras on the beach.
Nell: Well, someone took photos of Harriet and sent them to the police.
Me: But who would want to harm sweet Harriet?
Nell: Come on Sherlock Martin. Who recently opened a beach bar?
Me: Of course. Sorry.
