Me: Is it me?
Nell: Probably.
Me: Or does my Big Brave Beautiful Boy look a little fierce this morning?
Nell: David is part of Poppy’s Protection Team.
Me: Protection?
Nell: Nobody is allowed near Harriet.
Me: I notice he’s got his Neon Green Chew behind him, just in case.
Nell: Chewing calms David’s nerves. He’s not used to being fierce and he can’t keep it up for very long.
Me: Has Harriet said anything yet?
Nell: No. She’s still refusing to cooperate.
Me: The police aren’t going to put up with this for much longer.
Nell: I know. Poppy’s trying to reason with her now.
Me: Should we ask Sally to come down here?
Nell: Sally is being strangely silent about the whole thing.
Me: Strangely silent? Hang on a minute, Nell. You might be on to something. Has Harriet said anything at all since she came back from the beach?
Nell: No, I don’t think she has.
Me: Not even ‘Pass me the sugar?’
Nell: She doesn’t take sugar.
Me: Maybe she’s lost her voice?
Nell: It’s a possibility, I suppose.
Me: I’ve had an idea.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Maybe someone has taken her voice.
Nell: What do you mean?
Me: Haven’t you noticed the birds are a little quieter at the moment?
Nell: It’s the heat.
Me: We need to find out if Harriet had a drink at the pop-up beach bar.
Nell: She’s 5 now. If she wants a small cocktail it’s allowed.
Me: I need a pen and paper.
Nell: This is not the time for you to be writing. We’re supposed to be helping Harriet.
Me: It’s for Harriet so she can tell us what’s going on.
Nell: That’s actually quite a good idea. How unlike you.
Me: Yes, I know. Sorry.
