Me: You enjoyed our walk, didn’t you?
Nell: Yes, it wasn’t too warm and the grass was soft under paw.
Me: I really hope it stops raining before Chris arrives tomorrow.
Nell: Chris isn’t coming to see us for the weather.
Me: I know, but things are always nicer in the sunshine.
Nell: I disagree. I particularly enjoyed the fact it was overcast on our walk and David agreed.
Me: Dave doesn’t care about the weather.
Nell: He most certainly does. Now he’s a villager he knows rain is needed.
Me: He knew about that when we lived on the farm.
Nell: Being a villager is different. We have village responsibilities now.
Me: Do we?
Nell: Haven’t you noticed our new duties?
Me: No.
Nell: Monday to Friday, apart from school holidays, we give a morning bark to the schoolchildren across the road telling them the bus is about to arrive.
Me: I think they know the bus is coming.
Nell: It’s always good to have an alert.
Me: Is it, though?
Nell: Yes.
Me: I find it quite annoying.
Nell: You’re not a schoolchild.
Me: True.
Nell: Now, I want to talk to you about bunk beds.
Me: Why?
Nell: Harriet informs me Kev has some in his studio upstairs.
Me: They’re for the grandchildren and overflow visitors.
Nell: Could they accommodate a tiger and a lion?
Me: I beg your pardon?
Nell: According to The Cat, Beauregard and Mrs King have caused a small upset at the Stately Home.
Me: They haven’t eaten someone, have they?
Nell: Certainly not. Just some strolling around and the occasional roar.
Me: If they stayed here they could roar at the schoolchildren with Dave every morning instead.
Nell: Roaring is not allowed under any circumstances. And they’re not villagers.
Me: Right. Sorry.
