Me: Dave is a very big dog.
Nell: And you’re only noticing that now?
Me: When Tony came to the door and he jumped up to greet him you could really see his size.
Nell: David is extremely pushy when it comes to Tony.
Me: They have a special bond.
Nell: At least Tony and I managed a quick chat once David had calmed down.
Me: Good. Did you discuss the weather? Only, it was awfully rainy last night.
Nell: Of course not. We were talking about Beefeaters.
Me: Where are they?
Nell: Tony has no idea.
Me: They can’t be in Devon yet because Tony knows exactly what’s going on down here.
Nell: Only in our area.
Me: No, I think there’s a postpeople’s grapevine. They know everything.
Nell: Well nobody knows where the Beefeaters have gone.
Me: That sounds like the title of a very strange song.
Nell: And what’s more Tony didn’t deliver the letter from the palace.
Me: Was it one of the other posties?
Nell: No, it was hand delivered with no stamp.
Me: Very interesting.
Nell: Yes.
Me: If the Beefeaters delivered it why didn’t they stay?
Nell: Nobody said it was the Beefeaters.
Me: True.
Nell: I looked at the letter again and it has a clear water mark.
Me: Was it a crown?
Nell: No, not a watermark, a water mark.
Me: That’s rather disappointing. You wouldn’t expect the palace to send out a soggy letter.
Nell: It was stained not soggy.
Me: I’ve had a worrying thought.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: What if the letter wasn’t delivered by hand but by paw? Or even claw?
Nell: You may be on to something there.
Me: I should ask the Royal Terriers.
Nell: No, I should. You wait here.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
