Me: Can you see them?
Nell: David and Harriet? Yes, of course I can see them. They’re in the stream.
Me: No, the Cow Spies.
Nell: Cow Spies?
Me: One of them isn’t doing a very good job. She’s blatantly spying from the middle of a field.
Nell: Are you absolutely sure the cows are spying?
Me: Look at them all hiding in the bushes. It’s obvious.
Nell: Isn’t spying supposed to not be obvious?
Me: Only to the untrained eye.
Nell: And you think you have a trained eye?
Me: Yes. I spotted them immediately.
Nell: Is it possible they were just enjoying a little shade?
Me: No. When we lived in Oxfordshire I didn’t trust the horses but down here in Devon it’s the cows.
Nell: I know I’ve told you this before, but sometimes you have far too much imagination for your own good.
Me: I’m not imagining anything. It’s true.
Nell: Moving on, did Alice have a good birthday?
Me: She did. I had a lovely time in the evening texting with Alice and Andre and Chris and Shannon trying to think of names for the baby.
Nell: What was your suggestion?
Me: Bear.
Nell: Bear?
Me: Why not? Do you think the cows might be in league with the Beefies?
Nell: I think they might just be cows wondering what all the kerfuffle is about?
Me: What kerfuffle?
Nell: Scuffing leaves can make quite a noise.
Me: How did you know I was scuffing leaves?
Nell: It’s autumn and it’s what you always do at this time of year. It brings back memories of being a child and scuffing leaves with your mother and sisters.
Me: You’re right.
Nell: I listen to you when you tell me things and I remember. Everything.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
