The Friend has a mascot. Her name is Nutmeg, a (we think) tortoiseshell moggie who enthusiastically assists her mistress Clare Barnett in the recording of the Talking Friend, our audio version. Listeners of the tapes can sometimes discern the contribution of Nutmeg. 'She is always very keen to 'get in on the act,'' says Clare, 'whenever we are recording the Friend, with enthusiastic meowing.' Nutmeg also favours reader interaction, and purrs into the mike when she has a chance, but Clare sometimes has to curb this.
'She is most distracting when she tries to nudge me with her paw whilst I am speaking into the mike, obviously wondering why this piece of equipment is getting so much more attention!'
On occasion Nutmeg has been very vocal, to the amusement of listeners. One listener noticed that following Nutmeg's meow Clare had 'a smile in her voice.'