Me: What was all that barking about?
Nell: I’m afraid Harriet lost her temper. It doesn’t happen very often but when it does, it really does.
Me: Was it one of the Beefies? I noticed them circling the house earlier.
Nell: No. It was David.
Me: Dave? Our Big Brave Beautiful Boy?
Nell: Yes.
Me: Gentle loving Dave?
Nell: Yes.
Me: Chief Cuddling Officer?
Nell: Yes, and the Mayor of Kingsbridge.
Me: Except he isn’t.
Nell: It’s hard to accept that someone could shout at such an important animal but Harriet did.
Me: That’s not like Harriet at all.
Nell: Little brothers can annoy. We’ve all been there.
Me: I don’t think anyone has ever called Dave ‘little’.
Nell: David is her younger brother. Harriet was born first even though she’s half his size.
Me: Even less then. It’s easy to forget how tiny she was.
Nell: I remember it well.
Me: So, what annoyed her?
Nell: It started with a tug of war over David’s colourful plastic ring.
Me: He loves chewing on that thing.
Nell: Well, Harriet wanted it.
Me: It belongs to Dave but he’s usually fine about sharing.
Nell: Not today.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Harriet told him he was ‘a great big selfish lump’. I quote.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: And even worse ‘a very bad dog.’
Me: He hates that.
Nell: We all do.
Me: What did Dave say?
Nell: ‘Take the stupid toy then. See if I care.’
Me: And did she?
Nell: No, by that time she wasn’t really interested in it anymore.
Me: Are they still at loggerheads?
Nell: No. Harriet said ‘Fancy a bacon sandwich?’ and Dave replied, ‘Don’t mind if I do.’
Me: Thank goodness for bacon.
Nell: And love. Love always wins in the end.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
