Me: There’s been an awful lot of stopping on our walks recently.

Nell: I like to pause now and again.

Me: I know Dave likes to roll in the grass and Harriet is fascinated by insects, but you seem to be demanding a treat.

Nell: You’ve got it all wrong.

Me: Really?

Nell: Kev and I have an agreement and I am simply fulfilling my side of it.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: He likes me to remind him about the treats in his pocket.

Me: I see.

Nell: They’re easily forgotten.

Me: Not by you.

Nell: Exactly. When I pause, or sit down, Kev knows it’s time.

Me: You do it a lot.

Nell: Needs must.

Me: That’s not an answer.

Nell: I think you’ll find it is. Now, you know you’re flying to Germany on Sunday?

Me: Yes, I do.

Nell: What do you think about a bear flying with you?

Me: I beg your pardon?

Nell: A large brown bear who is an excellent cook and has been missing his home.

Me: Are we talking about Herr Hoffmann?

Nell: Of course we are. How many bears do we know who can cook like he does?

Me: He hasn’t got a ticket.

Nell: All organised. Chris spoke to the airline.

Me: He did?

Nell: Yes.

Me: Do they take bears?

Nell: Not unaccompanied, but as he’s with you, and Chris booked two seats for him, it’s fine.

Me: Is it?

Nell: I’m afraid you’ll have to take the aisle seat. Herr Hoffmann likes a window.

Me: Where is he staying?

Nell: Probably with friends, but possibly with Alice.

Me: Does she know?

Nell: Of course she does. We wouldn’t organise this without telling her.

Me: You didn’t tell me.

Nell: I’m telling you now.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Look at our darling Marvin over in Toronto. He’s such a grown up boy now.

Nell: How can anyone be a grown up boy?

Me: Some animals, and people, stay boys all their lives. Kev has never lost his boyishness.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: And Dave will always be my darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: I hope you don’t imagine I’m still a girl.

Me: No. You were middle aged when you were a puppy.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: You’ve always known your own mind, Nell.

Nell: That’s true.

Me: It’s what I love about you.

Nell: Dear Marvin is a sensitive animal. He struggles with self confidence and needs a great deal of support.

Me: I think a lot of rescue dogs do. Mutley was the same at first.

Nell: Hard to believe now. He is so wise.

Me: His advice certainly helped us all with Sven Gully.

Nell: Yes. Have you seen Ramson Hunter this morning?

Me: No. Is he here again?

Nell: Yes. He was Gliding with Gladys and the llamas earlier.

Me: Seriously?

Nell: He enjoyed the dancing so much at the weekend he decided to come back.

Me: I’m glad you warned me.

Nell: Between you and me, the sheep are all of a flutter.

Me: Really?

Nell: Having a handsome ram around with piercing blue eyes has caused quite a stir in the field.

Me: Gosh.

Nell: The llamas are dreadfully giddy.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: But, as I said to my friend Dorothy, ‘That’s llamas for you. They’ve always been a few biscuits short of a bowl.’

Me: That’s a bit harsh.

Nell: Just saying.

Me: You’re a dreadful gossip on the sly, aren’t you?

Nell: I’m merely telling you how it is.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Me: Nigel was rather amazing yesterday evening, wasn’t he?

Nell: I think the Swedish meatballs must have given him confidence.

Me: Yes.

Nell: When Ramson Hunter strode in with Sven Gully on his back I thought we might be in trouble.

Me: But then Nigel said: ‘We’ve been expecting you Mr Gully.’

Nell: Well, we had.

Me: And he offered him a meatball.

Nell: I don’t think he needed to add: ‘The name’s Nigel. Naughty Nigel.’

Me: I loved that part.

Nell: They both loved the meatballs.

Me: Yes, they did.

Nell: Fortunately, Herr Hoffmann had made plenty of them.

Me: Did you know the Beefy Choir were going to sing?

Nell: I did not.

Me: Sven Gully was ever so impressed. He even joined in at one point.

Nell: Talking of joining in. Who knew Ransom Hunter was so light on his feet?

Me: Those blue eyes are contact lenses, by the way.

Nell: How do you know?

Me: He told Boo when they were dancing.

Nell: Interesting.

Me: He’s short sighted which is dreadfully inconvenient for a sheep.

Nell: I suppose it would be.

Me: All in all it was a hugely successful evening.

Nell: Sven apologised for the voices. He was showing off to Ramson, apparently.

Me: Do we believe that?

Nell: Not really, but arguing about it seems pointless.

Me: Mutley was right. Sometimes things that seem big and insurmountable are actually much smaller than we think.

Nell: Yes.

Me: The Dog and Dash activity field was huge fun, wasn’t it?

Nell: It was.

Me: And now we can all enjoy Sunday. Songs in the sunshine followed by a delicious roast dinner. What more could one want?

Nell: A little lie down might be needed. Yesterday was successful, but exhausting.

Me: Yes. Go and rest. Sorry.

Me: Did you see the stunning sunset yesterday evening? Dave and I were mesmerised.

Nell: David should save his hat for later.

Me: Never mind hats, Nell. Look at the beauty around us. The colours were amazing.

Nell: I’m sure they were, but David’s feathers are going to get droopy if he doesn’t look after them.

Me: They’re supposed to be droopy. It’s that kind of hat.

Nell: Just saying.

Me: At least my Big Brave Beautiful Boy has a romantic soul.

Nell: Moving on, I need to talk about Swedish meatballs.

Me: Unbelievable.

Nell: Mashed, or new potatoes?

Me: Mashed.

Nell: Runner beans, or cabbage?

Me: Both, and lots of sauce.

Nell: And for dessert?

Me: Strawberries and cream.

Nell: Strawberries are an afternoon fruit.

Me: No, they’re not.

Nell: Ice cream should be enough, with apple crumble on the side.

Me: Apple crumble isn’t a side. It’s a main event.

Nell: Only in winter. Ice cream takes over in the warmer months.

Me: I don’t know why you asked me when you’ve already decided.

Nell: I’m asking everyone. Anyway, now the menu is sorted we can move on to the entertainment.

Me: We don’t need the Welsh Corgi Choir, Nell.

Nell: I know. The Whippets Institute String Quartet should suffice.

Me: I thought they had a Big Band?

Nell: They do. What do you think about a harp?

Me: It’s just dinner with Naughty Nigel, Boo and Charlotte.

Nell: You know perfectly well we’re expecting gatecrashers of the worst kind. As soon as that seagull hears the words ‘Swedish meatballs’ he’ll be straight over.

Me: How’s a harp going to help?

Nell: Harps are intimidating.

Me: They’re supposed to be relaxing.

Nell: Not when an octopus is playing.

Me: I’ve no idea what to say to that. Sorry.

Me: I’ve decided daisies are my favourite flower. Their simplicity is adorable.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: Did you notice that carpet of daisies on our walk?

Nell: No.

Me: It was absolutely beautiful.

Nell: I’m not sure David should have been wearing his mayoral hat.

Me: It’s his warrior hat, Nell. It makes him feel powerful.

Nell: It draws attention.

Me: People just wanted to say hello. He is the Mayor of Kingsbridge.

Nell: There was a time when you wouldn’t have said that.

Me: Because he wasn’t the mayor then. He was just a dog in a safety chain.

Nell: I beg your pardon? David has never been ‘just a dog’.

Me: I didn’t mean it like that. He’s my Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: You’ll be saying I’m ‘just a Labrador’ next.

Me: I wouldn’t dare.

Nell: Moving on, we’ve decided to invite Naughty Nigel and Boo for a sleepover tomorrow.

Me: Is my sister Charlotte coming, too?

Nell: Yes. I’ve told them the theme, so there might be hats.

Me: Theme?

Nell: Yes. ‘Unleash your inner warrior.’ Do keep up.

Me: It will be lovely to see them. Hats, or not.

Nell: We felt they should be made aware of the current situation.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: In case someone nasty speaks to them.

Me: Have we invited anyone nasty?

Nell: Sven Gully doesn’t wait to be invited. And neither does that horrible sheep, Ransom Hunter.

Me: Well, they’re not welcome here. And if they try and talk to us, we’re not listening.

Nell: Exactly. Now, Herr Hoffmann is making Swedish meatballs for dinner tomorrow.

Me: Really? But isn’t Sven Gully from Sweden?

Nell: He is.

Me: Won’t he find that rather provoking?

Nell: I hope so, because we’re ready for him.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Why aren’t you downstairs yet? We’ve got things to do and people to see.

Me: You’re different today. What’s happened?

Nell: If you’d been at Morning Thoughts you’d know.

Me: I’m never at Morning Thoughts.

Nell: Perhaps. you should be.

Me: Why?

Nell: Mutley gave us some excellent advice.

Me: About Sven Gully?

Nell: And hats.

Me: Hats?

Nell: Yes. Real hats and symbolic ones.

Me: Tell me more.

Nell: Mutley says when he came up against something that felt insurmountable he’d put on his warrior top hat and give himself a good talking to.

Me: Good idea.

Nell: And as soon as he began to believe in himself the thing he was afraid of began to get smaller and smaller.

Me: Gosh.

Nell: Until it really wasn’t a big thing anymore at all.

Me: I see.

Nell: Poppy said her pirate hat did the same, but she preferred her sword.

Me: Not such a good idea.

Nell: No. But what Mutley is saying is, it doesn’t have to be a warrior hat. It could be a pair of socks, or a particular perfume, or just a colour. It just has to mean something to you.

Me: I think mine might actually be my family. Every time I see a photo of them it gladdens my heart and makes me stronger.

Nell: Yes, It’s Alice and Andre’s 10th wedding anniversary today, isn’t it?

Me: Yes, and my friends and supporters make me strong too. I don’t know how I would have got through these difficult times without you all.

Nell: Exactly. So, what we all have to do now is find our inner warrior through whatever means we can and defeat Sven Gully.

Me: I feel stronger already.

Nell: Of course. It’s your daughter’s wedding anniversary.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Don’t go outside.

Me: Why?

Nell: Ramson Hunter is around.

Me: He isn’t, Nell. Someone just wants you to think he is.

Nell: I’m not risking anything. You know Harriet’s heard him too, don’t you?

Me: Yes. She’s upstairs cuddling Dave.

Nell: She says Jim the Farm Dog has gone missing.

Me: Jim hasn’t gone missing. He’s out in the fields.

Nell: Just like Sally and Rupert.

Me: They aren’t missing either, Nell. Rupert was late because he went to collect Sally from the station. They’re both here.

Nell: For now.

Me: Someone is messing with your mind. Sally was on a secret mission. She came back as soon as she heard about Dave.

Nell: David is considering stepping down as Mayor of Kingsbridge.

Me: Sally won’t let that happen.

Nell: It might be for the best.

Me: Nonsense. It’s just what they want.

Nell: I’ve cancelled lunch with my friend Dorothy.

Me: Oh no.

Nell: And I’m not playing Bridge tomorrow.

Me: This won’t do, Nell.

Nell: Have you told the police? Where is PC Panda?

Me: He’s on the case. Now, I need you to listen to me. You know Mutley was talking about voices?

Nell: Yes. It made no sense.

Me: We think Sven Gully is up to his old tricks. Only this time he is making you hear voices.

Nell: I haven’t seen Sven Gully.

Me: According to Sally’s sources, Sven is definitely in town.

Nell: All the more reason to lie low.

Me: No, Nell. We are not lying low. The Martins do not surrender. We are fighting back.

Nell: How are we going to do that?

Me: That’s the bit I’m not so sure about. Do you think you could ask Poppy to talk to The Great Mutliano?

Nell: Good grief.

Me: Sorry.

Me: Why are you and Dave hiding under the kitchen table?

Nell: Never you mind.

Me: What have you done?

Nell: Nothing.

Me: You must have done something. You both look very worried.

Nell: We are.

Me: Why?

Nell: It’s not only Sally.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: One of the sheep has started talking.

Me: They’re always talking. They never stop.

Nell: I heard it, too.

Me: We can all hear them, Nell. Was it Lady BaBa?

Nell: It wasn’t singing. It was much deeper and nastier.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: We think it might be Ramson Hunter.

Me: The evil ram with the piercing blue eyes?

Nell: Yes.

Me: What did he say?

Nell: ‘Ready for more?’

Me: That’s not very nice.

Nell: No, it isn’t.

Me: But it’s not enough to make you hide under the kitchen table.

Nell: There was more.

Me: Tell me. What else did he say?

Nell: ‘Who’s next?’

Me: Now, that is nasty. Who is next?

Nell: We don’t know.

Me: And next for what?

Nell: We don’t know that, either.

Me: You’ve got to talk to PC Panda about this development.

Nell: Yes.

Me: It’s harassment at the very least.

Nell: I should probably call a family meeting, too.

Me: I agree. Does Knitwear Wolf know about it?

Nell: No. He hasn’t come back from his deliveries yet.

Me: He’s not late, is he? Only, he’s usually in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting to Herr Hoffmann at this time of the morning .

Nell: Rupert is a little late, come to think of it.

Me: Call him on his iBone now.

Nell: Why?

Me: I would rather you did.

Nell: He’s not answering.

Me: I hope he’s only out of signal.

Nell: Why?

Me: I’m just getting carried away. Sorry.

Me: There’s a wonderful stillness about Harriet, even though she’s the most active of us all.

Nell: Harriet likes to observe.

Me: She does. Bless her.

Nell: You took that photo yesterday, didn’t you?

Me: What?

Nell: Before the compulsory sunglasses and the return of the rain?

Me: Yes. Why?

Nell: Just checking.

Me: I’m not going to wear sunglasses when I go out today, Nell. The weather’s miserable enough already.

Nell: On your head be it. If you come back hearing voices you have yourself to blame.

Me: Before I forget, I’d like to wish a belated Happy International Mothers Day to all you mothers out there in any shape or form.

Nell: Yes. You only remembered when Alice and Chris FaceTimed you from Germany and Canada.

Me: Yes. I don’t know why we celebrate on a different day here in the UK.

Nell: It was lovely to see them all, wasn’t it?

Me: Yes, the grandchildren are very excited about my visit.

Nell: Only two weeks to go.

Me: I can’t wait. Have there been any more messages from Mutley?

Nell: Yes. ‘Voices are spoken as well as heard.’

Me: What does that mean?

Nell: I have no idea.

Me: I wonder where Sally is. Dave must be so worried about her.

Nell: It certainly hasn’t stopped him enjoying his food. He had more than his fair share of roast beef yesterday.

Me: Herr Hoffmann is keeping an eye on his diet. He says it might have been a sugar low. He skipped breakfast the other day.

Nell: He’s made up for it since. He had three boiled eggs this morning and a fruit smoothie.

Me: Good. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. He has to keep his strength up.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: I do. Sorry.

Me: I hope Dave isn’t hearing Sally all the time.

Nell: I’m sure he isn’t.

Me: He seemed to enjoy his walk.

Nell: We all did.

Me: Do you think Sally will be at Sunday Songs?

Nell: I already told you, nobody knows where she is.

Me: Rumour has it the Beefy Choir are performing ‘Gulls Just Wanna Have Fun’,

Nell: Very funny.

Me: Just trying to lighten the mood. You seem distracted.

Nell: I’m trying to listen to Poppy, if you must know. She has a message from The Great Mutliano.

Me: How wonderful. I wonder what Mutley has to say?

Nell: I could tell you if you stopped talking.

Me: Do you realise we have a lot of new followers who never knew Mutley, or his alter ego The Great Mutliano?

Nell: Some may not even know Poppy.

Me: What a sad thought.

Nell: Fortunately, Poppy and Mutley will always live on in your book.

Me: And in our hearts.

Nell: And ears, in my case.

Me: Do you remember when The Great Mutliano saved us all from being hypnotised?

Nell: Funny you should say that.

Me: Why?

Nell: His message is: ‘Beware of Sven Gully’.

Me: Sven Gully the evil hypnotising seagull?

Nell: Yes.

Me: The one that made you be nice to me?

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: You agreed with everything I said. It was awfully strange.

Nell: Mutley thinks Sven Gully might be around.

Me: Do you think he’s hypnotised Dave?

Nell: I don’t know, but we should all definitely avoid looking at the sky.

Me: But everyone’s been looking at the sky in the past few days, Nell.

Nell: Why?

Me: We’ve been hoping to see the Northern Lights.

Nell: Well, stop. And don’t go anywhere without your sunglasses.

Me: Right. Sorry.