Me: Why are you lurking outside my bedroom door?
Nell: I’m not lurking. I’m listening.
Me: I can’t hear anything except Poppy, Malcolm and Manuel in the kitchen.
Nell: Listen properly.
Me: Oh dear. It sounds like the Beefies are back.
Nell: I blame Roger for this.
Me: Roger Blubbery?
Nell: Yes. He’s always making new friends and being sociable.
Me: That’s a lovely thing to do, Nell. Think how happy we were yesterday to see the photos our friends posted of their dogs from all over the world.
Nell: It was delightful. So many smiling faces.
Me: Yes. It was truly wonderful and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who posted.
Nell: We certainly would.
Me: So, if Roger wants to make friends with seagulls then let him.
Nell: Beefies aren’t just seagulls. They’re bad seagulls and Roger is only doing it for the fish.
Me: You don’t know that.
Nell: I do. The Beefies bring him fresh mackerel for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Me: They’ve been doing that for Princess and Our Penguin for ages. You know they have.
Nell: Wretched creatures.
Me: In fact, when you think about it, the Beefies have actually been really kind and caring.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Going out of their way to feed the seals.
Nell: Malcolm was hit on the head by a mackerel this morning.
Me: Wrong place wrong time I expect.
Nell: He was picking herbs in his own garden.
Me: I didn’t know Malcolm had a herb garden.
Nell: Oh yes. It’s quite extensive. Poppy insists on fresh herbs in most of her cooking.
Me: Who knew Malcolm had green fingers.
Nell: Malcolm doesn’t have fingers. He’s a flamingo. He uses his beak. Do try and be a little realistic.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
