Me: It’s biblical out there. Thunder and lightning and torrential rain.
Nell: I’m waiting for my scrambled eggs on toast.
Me: Did you clean the saucepan?
Nell: The saucepan I was given was already clean.
Me: Oh dear. Maybe someone got there before you?
Nell: A clean saucepan is not a Labrador’s idea of a good start to the day.
Me: Never mind. I’d love to hear more about Dave and Claudette.
Nell: As I told you, she and Dave have been pen pals for years.
Me: But what is Dave doing being friends with a member of NOIR?
Nell: Claudette wasn’t a member when they first started writing to each other. It was all Sally’s idea.
Me: So, Sally knows about Claudette?
Nell: She recruited her years ago.
Me: Recruited?
Nell: Yes. Claudette is a spy working undercover at NOIR.
Me: Does Dave know?
Nell: Of course he does.
Me: Well, he could have told me.
Nell: Nobody could tell you anything.
Me: That’s a bit harsh. Can you tell me now?
Nell: Only if you keep it to yourself.
Me: Our friends won’t say anything. They’re on our side.
Nell: Fine. The first thing you need to know is that Lionel King is working with Sally, too.
Me: Really?
Nell: When the diamonds went missing, Sally suspected NOIR and the Beefies were up to their old tricks and sent Lionel in to check.
Me: What diamonds?
Nell: You don’t think it was really a box of seashells, do you?
Me: I had no reason to think otherwise.
Nell: Lionel knew they were hidden somewhere in the Beefy Bacon Bap van.
Me: Why bring Dave into it?
Nell: Nobody trusts Lionel. Everybody trusts David.
Me: And?
Nell: I need to eat my breakfast now. More later.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
