Me: I think you were very wise to stay at the top of the river bank this time.
Nell: Yes, I had a good view of everyone from up there and much as I enjoy a cooling paddle, I didn’t feel the need to clamber down.
Me: I understand.
Nell: Sometimes one must simply recognise one’s limits.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Moving on, there’s been an interesting development in the search for the one legged heavy animal.
Me: Tell me more.
Nell: Jonathan and Faye discovered a pogo stick hidden behind the shed.
Me: A pogo stick?
Nell: Yes.
Me: The thing you jump up and down on?
Nell: Not me, personally, but yes.
Me: So the one legged heavy animal might have been using a pogo stick to get around?
Nell: No. This means it probably isn’t a one legged heavy animal at all.
Me: Oh, I see.
Nell: It could be anyone.
Me: Not really anyone, Nell. You’d have to be pretty fit to pogo up our stairs to the bedroom and then jump onto the wardrobe to share an odd salad with a Stuffed Tiger.
Nell: Nobody said anyone pogoed up the stairs. The tracks were found in the orchard.
Me: So, it could be two different animals?
Nell: Not necessarily. It just doesn’t have to be heavy, or missing a leg.
Me: That narrows the search to everyone.
Nell: Not completely. You need to be able to pogo.
Me: Well, it definitely wasn’t me then.
Nell: Obviously.
Me: I’ve had an idea.
Nell: Oh dear.
Me: How about organising a World Pogo Championship?
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: Whoever wins is our culprit.
Nell: Actually, we only need to know who can pogo. And could we start with Kingsbridge rather than the world?
Me: Yes. Sorry.
