Me: Witching you a very Happy Halloween.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Looking fa-boo-lous as always.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Why are you all upstairs?
Nell: Poppy’s in hiding and we’re here to protect her.
Me: Do you think she should be wearing a witch’s hat?
Nell: It’s Halloween.
Me: Dave’s wearing a feathered pirate hat.
Nell: And your point is?
Me: Poppy usually wears a pirate’s hat.
Nell: Poppy is in disguise.
Me: Where are the Beefeaters? Shouldn’t they be here by now?
Nell; It’s an awfully long way from London so they’ve probably had to sleep over somewhere.
Me: They’re not walking, are they? Surely they’ve hired a minibus, or taken the train?
Nell: Have you ever seen Beefeaters on a train?
Me: No. But I hadn’t seen llamas dressed as alpacas until this morning.
Nell: What are you talking about?
Me: The llamas have all decided to come as alpacas.
Nell: They can’t just make themselves smaller and shorten their ears.
Me: They have. Look in the field.
Nell: Those are alpacas. Alejandro’s family are visiting from Ecuador. The llamas are Gliding with Gladys in the other field. Do keep up.
Me: Oh my gourd. You’re right.
Nell: I give up.
Me: What’s the plan when the Beefeaters finally arrive?
Nell: Poppy will remain hidden while we distract them with Halloween treats and interpretive dance.
Me: That should give them pumpkin to talk about.
Nell: I’m ignoring that.
Me: Are we talking floaty scarves?
Nell: No. Sir Roger Blubbery and Princess will be performing in the pool.
Me: I don’t think you should call him Sir Roger. It might provoke the Beefeaters.
Nell: A part of me is hoping the Beefeaters will get lost and never arrive.
Me: Now that’s just witchful thinking.
Nell: Enough.
Me: Sorry.
