Me: Why is Nigel in my chair looking guilty?
Nell: You should see Lionel.
Me: Lionel King?
Nell: Yes.
Me: What’s that dreadful lion got to do with anything?
Nell: He was the one having dinner with Lady Anwen in the pub garden.
Me: I knew it. Dastardly creature.
Nell: He was undercover.
Me: You would say that. You’re blinkered when it comes to that lion. Why is Nigel involved?
Nell: Nigel went to the pub with Kev and Charlotte.
Me: I see.
Nell: And after dinner he and Lionel stayed on for a few drinks.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Which turned into more than a few.
Me: Typical.
Nell: And ended up with them singing their way home through the village arm in arm.
Me: No wonder they don’t look too bright this morning.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: Did they find out anything?
Nell: Nigel certainly didn’t. Lionel is yet to be interviewed. He needs a coffee and a bacon sandwich first.
Me: What about Henry and Horst?
Nell: They don’t eat bacon.
Me: Very funny.
Nell: Kev and Charlotte were too far away for them to pick up much. When they saw Lionel they decided to leave it to him and simply enjoyed their evening.
Me: What about me?
Nell: Stop making it all about you.
Me: I could have joined them.
Nell: You know perfectly well that you would have ended up trying to talk to Lady Anwen about her menu choices.
Me: I can recommend the fish. It’s fresh.
Nell: See what I mean.
Me: What if Lionel has nothing to tell us? Or worse, what if he’s a double agent and tells us what they want us to hear?
Nell: What if you let me eat my bacon sandwich in peace? It’s Saturday.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
