



Me: My pocketful of happiness today is seeing all the flowers growing on the hill near the beach.
Nell: They were beautiful.
Me: Yes. Like a carpet of loveliness.
Nell: Harriet ran straight into the sea as usual.
Me: Yes, I was still on the top of the cliffs and she was already in the water.
Nell: You were rather slow.
Me: I wanted to take my time and enjoy it all. It feels like everyone rushes everywhere nowadays.
Nell: You’re right.
Me: Gosh. It’s not often I hear you say that.
Nell: Have you spoken to David recently?
Me: We shared a couple of boiled eggs at breakfast.
Nell: When you say ‘shared’, do you mean he ate yours?
Me: I’d almost finished.
Nell: How did he seem?
Me: A little bit frazzled, if I’m honest.
Nell: Being Mayor of Kingsbridge is definitely taking its toll.
Me: Except he isn’t actually the Mayor.
Nell: So many responsibilities and then the latest problem with the mayoral chain.
Me: What problem? And it isn’t a mayoral chain, it’s a safety chain.
Nell: They promised him it wouldn’t rust.
Me: Rust?
Nell: He would never have gone swimming in it had he known.
Me: I’m a bit annoyed about that too.
Nell: How can a mayor expect his people to listen with a rusty chain?
Me: His people?
Nell: The townsfolk of Kingsbridge and beyond are all relying on their mayor to guide them through.
Me: Through what?
Nell: Fortunately The Cat has several sparkling chains in its dressing up box so we can replace it if needs be.
Me: It’s not for decoration, Nell.
Nell: I feel bacon might be needed to get us through the day.
Me: You’re not the Mayor. Dave is.
Nell: Glad you’ve noticed.
Me: Yes. Sorry.