Me: Everyone’s been staring at Walter for quite some time.
Nell: We have reason to believe that Walter is heavily involved in the theft of Harriet’s voice.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: Don’t forget he was spying on you writing at your desk only a few days ago.
Me: Oh yes. He was looking through the window.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: Could you finish telling me what happened to Harriet?
Nell: Of course. Where was I?
Me: Sandy Shore had just offered Harriet a cocktail.
Nell: Yes. It was blue which Harriet found a little disconcerting, but it had an umbrella and she was thirsty so she thought she would drink it while she waited for Sally to arrive.
Me: Did it have a name?
Nell: Yes. The Bantham Breeze. But that’s not the point.
Me: Good name. I must admit I might have tried it too.
Nell: May I continue?
Me: Please do.
Nell: Harriet waited and waited but there was no sign of Sally and she found herself drifting off to sleep.
Me: It’s the sea air. It can do that to you.
Nell: No. It was the cocktail. When she awoke she found herself alone on the beach.
Me: Where was the Saucy Seagull?
Nell: Sandy Shore had gone. See what I did there?
Me: Nice one.
Nell: And so had the bar.
Me: What? The whole place?
Nell: Yes. Pop ups come and go as they please.
Me: What did Harriet do?
Nell: She made her way home. It was only in the morning that she realised her voice had gone.
Me: But why didn’t she tell the police she’d been framed?
Nell: She was ashamed. She shouldn’t have gone there alone.
Me: Poor darling girl. We have to get her voice back.
Nell: We will.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
