Nell: Who on earth is that?
Me: It’s a raccoon in a tree outside Chris’s house in Toronto. Isn’t it cute?
Nell: It reminds me of the Stuffed Tiger.
Me: Yes. It does look a bit like a cuddly toy.
Nell: No. It’s clearly an eavesdropper. Chris needs to be very careful what he says around it.
Me: Nonsense.
Nell: Moving on, we need to send Get Well wishes to that Notorious Vegetarian James Beddall. He’s in hospital.
Me: Get well soon James, and big hugs from us all. James is the only person apart from Knitwear Wolf who’s allowed to call you Nelly.
Nell: He is but I’m afraid the Vegetarianism stops today.
Me: What Vegetarianism?
Nell: Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Veggie Pasta on Tuesday, Cheese and Potato bake yesterday. It’ll be lentils today, mark my paws.
Me: Herr Hoffmann thinks we eat too much meat.
Nell: Said no bear ever.
Me: Actually bears like honey and fish.
Nell: Anyway, I know you’re going into the city today so pop into Barks and Spencer and pick up a few treats, please.
Me: Alright, but only a few. You still have to be careful what you eat.
Nell: Barks do excellent sandwiches. Get a selection.
Me: You sound hungry.
Nell: The Italian’s late with his spaghetti bolognese today. David’s checked the Bus Stop twice and there’s still no Tupperware.
Me: I’m not happy about this, Nell.
Nell: Neither are we. It’s never been this late before.
Me: That’s not what I meant.
Nell: I hope one of the schoolchildren hasn’t taken it to school by mistake.
Me: So do I. We don’t know if it’s safe.
Nell: David, Harriet and I have been sharing it for days. I think we’d know by now if it wasn’t.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
