Me: What’s the matter with you and Harriet?
Nell: David and Poppy just told us something rather upsetting.
Me: No. I absolutely refuse to believe they have anything to do with A Friend. Whatever Miss Maple and the Dachshund Boys say they are wrong.
Nell: Miss Maple isn’t saying anything of the kind. She knows David and Poppy are innocent.
Me: Thank goodness for that.
Nell: But someone else isn’t.
Me: It’s that lion. I kept telling you not to trust him but you wouldn’t listen.
Nell: Lionel King has nothing to do with it either.
Me: How can you be so sure?
Nell: Because on Saturday night David and Poppy saw someone move the Stuffed Tiger and Johnny Rabbit.
Me: Who was it?
Nell: They don’t know how to tell you.
Me: Why?
Nell: It was Kev.
Me: Our Kev?
Nell: Yes, and when he saw them he winked and put his finger to his lips.
Me: Are you trying to tell me that Kev is A Friend?
Nell: It looks like he might be.
Me: But why would he do that? Are they absolutely certain?
Nell: They’re positive. They didn’t want to say anything but Miss Maple got it out of them.
Me: Did she use bacon?
Nell: I believe bacon sandwiches were involved. David caved in first.
Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: And Miss Maple tricked Poppy into telling her by accusing David of lying.
Me: I can’t believe it.
Nell: Nobody can.
Me: Does Sally know?
Nell: Yes. She didn’t seem surprised, so we think David might have told her last night.
Me: I need to talk to Kev right now.
Nell: I’m afraid he’s in a meeting with Sally and can’t be disturbed.
Me: I don’t care. I’m not waiting any longer. Sorry.
