Me: It was fun and games on the beach today.
Nell: It was certainly very windy.
Me: The sea froth turned Dave into a Dalmatian. Harriet couldn’t stop laughing at him.
Nell: I’m not a fan of sea froth. It sticks to the paws.
Me: Dave did look funny though, Nell, and he didn’t care about the froth.
Nell: Not a lot bothers David, to be honest.
Me: He’s an awfully optimistic sort of animal. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Now, Malcolm told me something rather worrying this morning and I’d like your opinion.
Me: How exciting.
Nell: I said worrying, not exciting.
Me: I know, but you so rarely ask for my opinion on anything. What’s happened?
Nell: Stephen Seagull is coming to tea.
Me: That’s not exciting. It’s dreadful.
Nell: I agree.
Me: Why?
Nell: Because he’s the evil head of a vicious seagull gang called the Beefies.
Me: I meant why is he coming to afternoon tea?
Nell: He’s Susan’s biological father so when he asked if he could come to tea she felt it was the least she could do.
Me: I see.
Nell: He says he wants to meet Miss Penny Lane.
Me: I don’t like the sound of that.
Nell: Neither do I. Apparently, the Beefies have told him of her beauty.
Me: Penny doesn’t want to be getting involved with a nasty piece of work like him.
Nell: Which is what I said to Malcolm.
Me: She doesn’t need to be there.
Nell: That’s the thing. She wants to be. She says she’s got a few things she needs to say to him about driving her family up north.
Me: Has he got a car?
Nell: Figuratively, not literally. Good grief. The Beefies chased her family away. Remember?
Me: Oh yes. Sorry.
