Me: Lunch was interesting yesterday, wasn’t it?
Nell: I would like to discuss this worrying photo with you first, please.
Me: It’s of Toby. Tony sent it to me.
Nell: Why is he wearing a shower cap?
Me: It isn’t a shower cap, Nell. It’s a special hat to stop him touching his ear.
Nell: It looks like a shower cap.
Me: I know it does but he cut his ear badly on his walk and they had to glue it together.
Nell: David had a cut ear one Christmas and he didn’t have to wear a shower cap.
Me: I think they stitched Dave’s ear.
Nell: Toby doesn’t like it.
Me: It’s only a hat and I’m sure it won’t be for much longer.
Nell: You wouldn’t say that if you were the one wearing it. Anyway, give me your opinion on yesterday’s lunch.
Me: Well, Miss Maple found the pappardelle absolutely delicious and fortunately Lionel King kept a low profile and served it quietly.
Nell: Yes, I thought it all went very well until we adjourned to the living room and that wretched Stuffed Tiger had moved back on to Poppy’s Palace.
Me: Miss Maple didn’t seem surprised.
Nell: I noticed that too. She walked up to it and said ‘Interesting’.
Me: I think she knows something we don’t.
Nell: I certainly hope so. She’s a world famous detective. Sally didn’t just ask her here to be kind.
Me: Oh yes. I’d completely forgotten about that.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Do you think she will be staying with us for long?
Nell: For as long as it takes, I expect.
Me: As long as what takes?
Nell: For her to solve the mystery.
Me: What mystery?
Nell: The Mystery of the Stuffed Tiger. Do keep up.
Me: Sorry.
