"Doggy," Nia said as Charlie carried her into the coffee shop. "Doggies. Two ones. White one and lello one."
"Oh yes, I see," Charlie said. "Let's get our drinks then we'll say hello. They are both nice doggies so what do we do?"
Nia held out her hand for him to sniff.
"And if I was a naughty doggy?"
She put both hands behind her back.
"Good girl."
They got their drinks - Joy cooing at Nia and scowling at Charlie as usual - then he carried them across to Emma's table, while Nia followed at his heels with a cookie in a napkin.
"Hello," Charlie said, "can we join you? Oh wow, you're not doing homework, are you?"