Me: Dave and Harriet are leaving for their morning walk soon. Are we going to join them again?
Nell: No, I shall be giving it a miss today, thank you. I’m still recovering from yesterday’s encounter.
Me: It was rather exciting, wasn’t it?
Nell: You might find being stuck in a tiny lane with the whole of the hunt riding towards you exciting, but I found it extremely stressful.
Me: The riders were very polite and careful around us.
Nell: The horses were enormous. Especially the lead one who stood right next to us.
Me: It was protecting us from the hounds.
Nell: There were hundreds of them.
Me: No, there weren’t. It just felt like it.
Nell: Running everywhere.
Me: They were excited.
Nell: We were supposed to be enjoying a quiet walk.
Me: They were gone again really quickly.
Nell: They bounced David and Harriet, too, in the field at the top of the hill. Harriet told me all about it.
Me: They didn’t bounce anyone. You’re exaggerating.
Nell: Mad hooligans.
Me: They’re just full of energy.
Nell: I didn’t like it at all.
Me: We live in the countryside, Nell. The hunt is part of country life. Dave and Harriet didn’t mind.
Nell: David wanted to run with them. Silly animal.
Me: He is The Handsome Hound.
Nell: That’s acting.
Me: Well, I don’t mind as long as no animals are hurt.
Nell: I nearly twisted my paw.
Me: No, you didn’t.
Nell: You threw me into the hedge.
Me: I did not. I just moved you right out of the way and gave you a cuddle while the big horse stood guard.
Nell: I had twigs and leaves all over my fur.
Me: I was protecting you, Nell.
Nell: I was frightened.
Me: I know. Sorry.
