Me: It’s a beautiful sunny summer’s day today.
Nell: Yes, it is.
Me: Harriet and I have been enjoying the view from the bedroom window since first thing this morning.
Nell: It’s lovely.
Me: We were wondering if we could see Jim the Farm Dog walking the fields.
Nell: Could you?
Me: No, but we saw Gladys and the llamas with a tent.
Nell: It’s not a tent. It’s a gazebo.
Me: I have one of those, too.
Nell: I know. Llamas struggle dreadfully with the heat, so shade is essential.
Me: They should only go out in the early morning, or late afternoon, in this weather. It’s the same for all of you.
Nell: Well, I’m going out to lunch with Dorothy. But don’t worry, I shall wear a hat.
Me: Where are you going?
Nell: The Salcombe Yacht Club. We’re hoping to play a round of bridge after lunch.
Me: Cards are fine, but don’t go sailing, Nell.
Nell: I never mentioned sailing.
Me: You’re going to the yacht club.
Nell: Yacht clubs are for socialising. Do keep up.
Me: Talking of sailing, does Lionel King still have his boat?
Nell: He does. He’s keeping it hidden away at the moment because of NOIR.
Me: The Notorious Organisation of International Rooks?
Nell: Yes. They’re still annoyed with him about the loss of Poppy’s recipe book.
Me: Poppy always preferred poker to bridge.
Nell: She still does. She and Mutley have regular poker games with the other Guardians. They love it.
Me: I always imagined the Guardians wearing white and reclining on clouds.
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. Poppy would never go along with that.
Me: Now I’m seeing them all in poker caps.
Nell: They don’t play all the time. Try and be a little realistic.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
