Me: Look at Dave’s grumpy face. Isn’t it adorable? Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: He doesn’t like Nigel.
Me: Sometimes they’re friends but mostly they’re not. You were the same.
Nell: Nigel is extremely annoying. He kisses without asking.
Me: He’s a little needy.
Nell: You have to respect personal space.
Me: Dave doesn’t.
Nell: David sits on people. He doesn’t kiss them.
Me: He’s very large, Nell.
Nell: They’ll find a way to get on.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Especially with Sally there to calm the waters.
Me: I’m afraid Sally’s gone back to London.
Nell: No wonder David is grumpy.
Me: She had to get back to work.
Nell: Understandable.
Me: Knitwear Wolf has gone with her.
Nell: I beg your pardon? Did you say Rupert has gone up to London?
Me: I did.
Nell: Why?
Me: I don’t know.
Nell: Is it cardigan-related?
Me: I don’t think it has anything to do with woollens.
Nell: Has Lionel gone, too?
Me: No. That wretched lion is still moping about the place.
Nell: Missing me, I expect. Poor chap.
Me: No. The tourist season is over so he’s lost his job as a lifeguard.
Nell: A lifeguard?
Me: Yes. He’s a jolly strong swimmer, although I’m not sure what people thought when a lion came swimming towards them.
Nell: Grateful to be rescued, I should imagine.
Me: By a big cat?
Nell: He will have been wearing his uniform.
Me: I suppose so. And he has a lovely thick mane to hang on to.
Nell: Rupert is an excellent swimmer.
Me: Yes. He has webbed toes.
Nell: What are you talking about?
Me: All wolves have webbed toes. It helps them paddle efficiently.
Nell: I can’t believe we’re discussing webbed toes when Rupert has disappeared to London.
Me: Sorry.
