Me: It’s lucky Harriet doesn’t mind a large paw in her face.
Nell: I’m sorry. Did you say something?
Me: I was just commenting on the way the puppies snuggle up together. Faye does the same thing with Dave. It’s wonderful.
Nell: I’m afraid I can’t hear you.
Me: Can’t you?
Nell: It’s almost like you ate a scone you were not supposed to eat and lost your voice.
Me: I haven’t lost my voice.
Nell: You could have done.
Me: I only had one, Nell. I couldn’t resist it all warm and inviting from the oven.
Nell: Well, at least it proves that it only gives voices back, not takes them away.
Me: What about Harriet and Knitwear Wolf?
Nell: They’re trying one now.
Me: I hope it works.
Nell: So do I.
Me: Wait a minute. Isn’t that Knitwear Wolf asking for more jam on his scone?
Nell: It is.
Me: And did I hear Harriet ask for some cream?
Nell: You did. Their voices are back.
Me: Well done Poppy, Roley Moley and Jonathan. We should sing their praises to the world.
Nell: We should do no such thing. The Beefies mustn’t know yet.
Me: Why not?
Nell: We need them to eat the scones too so they get their own voices back.
Me: How are we going to do that?
Nell: Jonathan had an excellent idea.
Me: He’s good at those. I think he might take after me.
Nell: I sincerely hope not. Anyway, he said we should put a big basket of scones outside the door with a sign saying ‘Scones for everyone, except Beefies.’
Me: But we want them to eat them.
Nell: Being told you can’t have something is exactly what makes you want it even more. You should know.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
