Nell: Autumn has well and truly arrived.
Me: It has. Harriet blends into the background with her conker- brown coat, doesn’t she?
Nell: What is David doing?
Me: Looking for deer, or squirrels, or cows, I expect.
Nell: Autumn is the best time of year for squirrels.
Me: You were never really bothered about squirrels.
Nell: I can take them, or leave them.
Me: Poppy couldn’t stand them.
Nell: She still can’t. She’s not that keen on fluffy tails.
Me: I think they’re rather sweet.
Nell: You would. Now, have you read the Daily Growl today?
Me: No. Have you?
Nell: Of course.
Me: Do you mean to say you can get the Daily Growl up there?
Nell: Yes. We have everything. I’ve told you that before.
Me: Extraordinary.
Nell: We’re a little overrun with reporters at the moment, to be frank. I seem to see Jack Russell terriers everywhere in flat caps with pencils behind their ears.
Me: I wonder why?
Nell: No idea. Now, have you read the front page?
Me: I haven’t read it at all, Nell. Nobody is delivering the papers since Rupert went away.
Nell: So you don’t know about The Beefy Bash?
Me: No. Is someone beating Beefies? I’m not very fond of them but I’d never condone violence.
Nell: What are you talking about? Stephen Seagull is organising a huge Halloween party at the Stately Home.
Me: Is he?
Nell: Yes, it’s going to be a masked ball and he seems to be pulling out all the stops.
Me: Gosh. I’m surprised The Cat didn’t tell us.
Nell: I don’t think anyone knew about it until today. It’s a Daily Growl exclusive by reporter Lionel King.
Me: Lionel King is working for the Daily Growl?
Nell: That’s not the point.
Me: No. Sorry.
