Me: You’re such a faithful companion, Nell.
Nell: What’s brought this on?
Me: I was thinking about it when we were down on the beach. You follow us wherever we go.
Nell: I’m going to be 11 on Tuesday and I have arthritis so I’m not going to be rushing ahead.
Me: You know what I mean. Poppy’s going to be 10 in June but she’s never going to follow anyone.
Nell: Talking of Poppy, I think trouble might be ahead.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: She’s threatened the Blue Mushroom.
Me: The restaurant, or the one in the garden?
Nell: Both.
Me: I didn’t know she spoke French.
Nell: She used her sword.
Me: She didn’t chop its head off, did she?
Nell: No, but she gave it a good hard rap.
Me: Is that why the queue is so much shorter today?
Nell: Possibly, although the car park is quite full. I don’t know where the Whippets Institute are going to park their minibus.
Me: What about the Welsh Corgi Choir? It’s Sunday Songs later.
Nell: Lionel sent Mr Giggles to collect them in his car.
Me: Not everyone appreciates being driven by a hyena.
Nell: He’s fine once you get past those teeth.
Me: Hang on a minute. I can hear a lot of loud bangs.
Nell: Where?
Me: Outside. The balloons are dropping out of the sky.
Nell: Someone’s shooting them down.
Me: With a gun?
Nell: No. With arrows.
Me: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Nell: There’s only one animal here who has a bow and arrow.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And she knows how to use it.
Me: She does.
Nell: We have to stop her.
Me: Do we? They’re only carrying baguettes.
Nell: I ordered some freshly baked croissants.
Me: Oh. Sorry.
