Me: I’m not sure if going down to the beach yesterday afternoon and staring longingly at the island was a good idea.
Nell: It’s what David wanted us to do.
Me: We were never going to see Sally from there.
Nell: He says he felt nearer to her.
Me: We don’t even know if Stephen Seagull and the Beefies are telling the truth. It might have been another Golden Retriever.
Nell: Or another lion.
Me: No, it was definitely Lionel King. It’s just the kind of thing he would do.
Nell: What? Have dinner with a beautiful Golden Retriever?
Me: No, try and steal somebody else’s betrothed.
Nell: You just said it might not be Sally.
Me: It’s not like he hasn’t tried it before. Taking you away from Knitwear Wolf.
Nell: I wasn’t with Rupert.
Me: Well, you jolly well should be.
Nell: This is getting us nowhere. We need to take action.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: Which is why David and I have decided to go over to the island.
Me: I don’t like the sound of that at all.
Nell: If Sally is there we can have a quick chat with her and sort out any misunderstandings.
Me: If Sally is there and hasn’t told Dave then she doesn’t want to be disturbed.
Nell: She won’t mind a quick cup of Earl Grey and the odd scone.
Me: How did afternoon tea come into this?
Nell: You can’t go to the Burgh Island Hotel without popping in for tea. Besides, David and I will be tired from the journey.
Me: Are you taking Harriet with you?
Nell: No. She’s not here.
Me: Where is she?
Nell: Off on some kind of mission, I expect. You know what spies are like. Dreadfully secretive.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
