




Me: Look at Harriet rushing into the sea.
Nell: Kev threw her ball.
Me: It’s a joy to watch.
Nell: The beach is where she can really be free.
Me: Yes. Talking of free spirits, has Miss Maple had the chance to interview Benjamin Bunny yet?
Nell: His name is Jonathan Rabbit and there’s absolutely no point in trying to interview a stuffed animal.
Me: True. I’ve noticed Dave’s not very talkative after his tea.
Nell: Very funny.
Me: You know you said Jonathan Rabbit was heavy?
Nell: Yes.
Me: You don’t think he’s full of jewellery, do you?
Nell: My tiara and pearls don’t weigh that much and Mutley’s cufflinks weigh nothing at all.
Me: It’s just that he has a furry chest.
Nell: What’s that got to do with it?
Me: Maybe his furry chest is concealing a secret pocket.
Nell: You have far too vivid an imagination for your own good.
Me: I think Poppy should slice him open with her sword. He might be full of doubloons.
Nell: Doubloons? We’re not on a pirate ship.
Me: Lionel King has a ship and he’s the most piratey animal we know.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: And gold is heavy.
Nell: The rabbit is full of sand. He’s a doorstop.
Me: Also, that Stuffed Tiger seems very protective of him.
Nell: You do realise that someone is moving the stuffed animals around, don’t you?
Me: Hasn’t Sidney the Spider’s webcam picked up anything?
Nell: Nothing of any interest.
Me: I bet someone tampered with the footage. Probably deleted it.
Nell: Sally told me Miss Maple has decided to get The Boys involved.
Me: Are we talking armed assailants here?
Nell: No. Clever Dachshunds. Hope and Leo. I told you about them before. They’re coming to stay.
Me: Right. Sorry.