Me: It’s very cold today, isn’t it?
Nell: Yes. Winter is definitely on its way.
Me: Is that why you’ve climbed into bed next to me?
Nell: I’m not actually in the bed.
Me: You sort of are, Nell. You’re lying on the pillows and Poppy has been banished to the cold end of the bed.
Nell: It’s my turn. Poppy spent the whole night in your bed, snuggled up next to Harriet.
Me: She’s only small. She needs to snuggle.
Nell: Large animals feel the cold too, you know.
Me: True. Dave had ever such cold ears when he came upstairs just now to give me my morning cuddle.
Nell: That’s because he was patrolling the area with the other guards.
Me: I didn’t know we had guards.
Nell: Why do you think Alejandro is wearing a saucepan on his head?
Me: I thought it was an alpaca thing.
Nell: And the llamas? Didn’t you wonder why they were wearing fighting coats?
Me: Is that what they are? They look more like duvets to me.
Nell: One does what one can.
Me: Are we preparing for battle?
Nell: Yes. We’re expecting a Beefy invasion.
Me: Did we hear it on the grapevine?
Nell: Why bring fruit into this?
Me: It’s just a saying.
Nell: Owl Pacino saw them gathering near Burgh Island.
Me: That’s not far away.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: I bet that lion has something to do with this. He’s always hanging out at the Burgh Island hotel.
Nell: I wouldn’t call it ‘hanging out’. Lionel likes to stay there when he’s in the area.
Me: Should I put a saucepan on my head?
Nell: Please don’t.
Me: I’ll just snuggle up in my fighting coat then. Care to join me?
Nell: I already have.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
