Nell: Are the Puppies playing Cheeky Animals?
Me: Yes. Harriet is getting a little carried away.
Nell: David seems as calm as a cucumber.
Me: True. He’s playing a clever game.
Nell: Cheeky Animals is all about subtlety. You’re supposed to stick your tongue out quickly without your opponent noticing. If they do they call out ‘Cheeky Animal’ and win.
Me: Harriet has a very long tongue.
Nell: Harriet is waving her tongue in David’s face. He can’t help but notice.
Me: Yes. Dave is definitely going to win this game.
Nell: It certainly looks like it.
Me: How was tea with Oscar yesterday? Did he put jam on his scone first?
Nell: Yes. Fortunately Charlie was able to whisper in his ear when Poppy went out to get the sandwiches.
Me: You had sandwiches, too?
Nell: Yes, a selection of finger sandwiches with crusts off, of course.
Me: I miss Poppy’s afternoon teas.
Nell: They are exceptionally good.
Me: Was the cream clotted?
Nell: Yes, fresh from the dairy.
Me: It can’t have been, Nell.
Nell: Are you trying to tell me cows can’t be Guardians?
Me: No, I suppose they can.
Nell: Where there’s a cow there’s cream.
Me: True.
Nell: And milk and butter.
Me: I know that. Thank you.
Nell: And before you ask, yes chickens can be Guardians and yes we have eggs.
Me: I presume you had cake for tea, too.
Nell: Of course. Lemon drizzle.
Me: I wonder if Herr Hoffmann would make afternoon tea for us all?
Nell: It probably depends on whether he’s cooking a complicated dinner.
Me: I think it’s fish cakes.
Nell: Fish cakes can be complicated.
Me: No afternoon tea for me then.
Nell: You can still ask. If you don’t ask you don’t get.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
