Me: Harriet’s outside on the picnic blanket now, too.
Nell: She doesn’t want David to hear the voice on his own.
Me: Can she hear it?
Nell: No.
Me: Can he?
Nell: Only now and again.
Me: What’s the voice saying?
Nell: He says it’s between him and Sally.
Me: But it isn’t Sally.
Nell: I know.
Me: Can’t we get Sally to talk to him?
Nell: She is.
Me: I mean the real Sally.
Nell: We will when we can find her.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: Nobody knows where she is.
Me: I thought you said she was in London.
Nell: That’s where she was supposed to be. She must be on some secret mission.
Me: Does Harriet know anything?
Nell: Obviously not, or she wouldn’t be sitting outside on a picnic blanket.
Me: True. I’ve had a thought.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: What if Dave’s hearing the real Sally?
Nell: He isn’t.
Me: What if she’s been kidnapped and she’s communicating with him like Henry and Horst?
Nell: Sally is not a woodlouse and neither is David.
Me: But Dave has Keen Ears. You’ve always said it.
Nell: I have.
Me: He’s the one who hears Henry and Horst even when others can’t.
Nell: You know you’re talking nonsense, don’t you?
Me: Stranger things have happened.
Nell: I can’t argue with that.
Me: Maybe Sally and Dave have such a close bond that he can hear her even when she’s far away.
Nell: Unlikely.
Me: You can hear Poppy.
Nell: That’s different. Although, you’ve given me an idea.
Me: What is it?
Nell: Never you mind. Tell David and Harriet to come inside for breakfast. It’s Saturday so we’re having bacon sandwiches.
Me: But Nell..
Nell: Hurry up. The bacon’s getting cold.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
