"Morning, Beatrice! The usual?" "Oh, hello Alice. Yes please, I'll have a chocolate croissant and a latte." "Coming right up." (Surprised gasp) "Goodness, what a terrible smell!" "I know, poor thing. Mrs. Dunbar's cat was found dead this morning, under a pile of leaves in her garden." "Oh no! It's been so cold lately. The poor thing must have wandered out and got lost." "I'm sure that's what happened. I heard she hadn't been feeding it properly either. Serves her right if you ask me." (Lowering voice) "Now, Beatrice, don't go spreading rumors about our neighbor. We don't want to get her in trouble." "But Alice, if anyone should know, it's you. You're the councilman's wife!" "I know, I know. But this is awkward for me, you know that. My husband appointed her to that zoning board after all." "You really think he should have done that? What with her husband being involved in that shady business scheme?" "I try not to think about it. Let's talk about something else, shall we? Did you hearPage's Bakery is closing next week?"