Me: Dave simply adores Tony, doesn’t he?
Nell: Visits from Tony are the highlight of David’s day.
Me: You and Harriet seem fairly excited about it, too.
Nell: Tony is a dear friend.
Me: During lockdown he was our only friend and a gateway to the outside world.
Nell: Strange to remember that now.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Talking of strange, I just got off the iBone with Lady Constance Eggbuckland and she said a strange thing.
Me: Why were you talking to Lady C?
Nell: David and I thought it would be a good idea to invite her to tea next week.
Me: Why? You don’t like her.
Nell: She’s a fellow judge and she could meet Harriet in her natural habitat and see what a beautiful soul she is, inside and out.
Me: Natural habitat?
Nell: Yes. I thought Harriet could stroll through the fields nonchalantly and then join us for tea.
Me: She’ll be all muddy. And Harriet never strolls nonchalantly anywhere. She always runs.
Nell: Never mind. That isn’t the point. Lady C asked me if I’d invited the squirrel, too.
Me: Squirrel?
Nell: You’re doing that repeating thing again.
Me: Why did she mention a squirrel?
Nell: It’s one of the judges.
Me: I hope she means Squirrel Nutkin.
Nell: I don’t. Nutkin is so rude and outspoken.
Me: If Nutkin is coming, you should definitely invite The Cat.
Nell: It’s supposed to be about showcasing Harriet.
Me: I know, but just imagine the shenanigans if you put Lady C, Squirrel Nutkin and The Cat together in one room.
Nell: If I’m inviting The Cat, I’ll have to invite Lionel King and Stephen Seagull.
Me: Then you have to invite me, too.
Nell: You’re not a contestant, or a judge.
Me: I’m not missing this. Sorry.
