Me: Autumn was my mother’s favourite time of year. She loved the colour of the leaves.
Nell: They’re quite a nuisance underpaw. I much prefer Spring.
Me: Spring is my favourite season too. More hopeful.
Nell: Indeed.
Me: There’s a sadness about Autumn.
Nell: Yes.
Me: I still keep looking for Poppy.
Nell: Of course you do. She was part of our lives for over ten years.
Me: Harriet is an autumn coloured dog. I was thinking that as I watched you all walking along. She blends into her surroundings.
Nell: It’s what spies do.
Me: The Stuffed Tiger doesn’t. It’s a terribly obvious spy.
Nell: It’s a blatant eavesdropper. I was trying to talk to my friend Dorothy on WoofsApp when it leant over and stuck its face in my iBone.
Me: I think it might just have lost its balance, Nell. It can’t actually move on its own.
Nell: What was it doing on the sofa then?
Me: I’m afraid someone must have put it there.
Nell: Well, they should put it there more carefully. The last thing I need is a huge Stuffed Tiger on top of me.
Me: I couldn’t agree more. Tigers are quite autumnal in their colours if you think about it.
Nell: Nonsense. They’re too stripey.
Me: True. Lions blend in more easily.
Nell: You might be right. Lionel said Herr Hoffmann didn’t even notice him at breakfast this morning.
Me: What was Lionel doing here?
Nell: Waiting to collect Roary. It’s half term.
Me: Is he still trying to take him away from Mrs King?
Nell: He just wants to spend some time with his son.
Me: Herr Hoffmann was probably ignoring him, by the way.
Nell: He’s far too well mannered to do that and you know it.
Me; Yes. Sorry.
