Nell: Is that our garden?

Me: It is. There’s virtually no grass left now. Just dry dusty earth.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: Dave and Harriet like sitting outside in the early morning and evening but they come in covered in straw.

Nell: It’s truly shocking.

Me: It is. I miss the green grass.

Nell: Why are those wretched Beefies laughing?

Me: One of them was about to fly down and try and steal our chips.

Nell: I hope you scared it away.

Me: I did. Cheeky bird.

Nell: They think they can help themselves to anything.

Me: I know. They’ve even started going into shops and taking things like packets of crisps off the shelves.

Nell: Without paying?

Me: They never pay.

Nell: Hooligans and thieves.

Me: Nothing is safe from them at this time of year.

Nell: Or at any time of year.

Me: I don’t really mind their screeching.

Nell: It’s a horrible noise.

Me: I prefer it to the sound of pigeons. They are annoying.

Nell: Kev used to insist the pigeons were saying ‘Work harder, Kevin’.

Me: He still does.

Nell: Pigeons have always been rather opinionated.

Me: Walter’s ok.

Nell: Walter is part of the family.

Me: Yes, he is.

Nell: Make sure you keep the bird bath clean and full of water.

Me: I will.

Nell: Don’t forget the insects and make sure you water the plants with your watering can.

Me: Don’t worry.

Nell: As I’ve told you many times before, it’s my job.

Me: Yes, and I thank you for it.

Nell: Don’t forget about the solar eclipse this evening.

Me: We couldn’t get any glasses.

Nell: You can use a colander.

Me: I’d still be looking at the sun.

Nell: As a makeshift pinhole projector. Do keep up.

Me: Oh. Sorry.

Me: Look at these gorgeous photos, Nell. Kev found them and sent them over to me.

Nell: I remember that beautiful sunset very well.

Me: It’s magical, isn’t it? The colours are amazing.

Nell: Is Alice wearing a baby carrier?

Me: Yes, she and I were trying to work out which baby was in there and it must be Faye as Jonathan was one when we moved down here.

Nell: I used to love the beach.

Me: Look at your darling smile.

Nell: I didn’t like the pebbles on that beach, though.

Me: No. I prefer sand, too.

Nell: They get in your paws.

Me: They do.

Nell: Fortunately, the beaches up here are sandy.

Me: What if there are Guardians who prefer a pebbly beach?

Nell: They can have one.

Me: I see.

Nell: The Weather Guardians tell me the UK is heading into its 5th heatwave.

Me: I don’t like it, Nell. Everything is so dry and parched. It doesn’t look like England at all.

Nell: No.

Me: I don’t think I ever remember seeing it like this.

Nell: It’s all very worrying. You must make sure you keep out of the sun and drink lots of water.

Me: I will. Don’t worry. And we’re having falafels and hummus for dinner with a Greek salad so we’re eating sensibly.

Nell: That sounds suspiciously vegetarian.

Me: It is.

Nell: James Beddall will be delighted.

Me: Yes, he will.

Nell: We’re having steak and chips.

Me: I’m not telling Dave that.

Nell: With mushrooms, peas and a side salad.

Me: I’m fine with my falafels, thank you.

Nell: I don’t know. What is the world coming to? Heatwaves, drought and chickpeas.

Me: I never mentioned chickpeas.

Nell: Falafels are made from chickpeas.

Me: Oh yes. Of course they are. Sorry.

Nell: Is that Tony the Postman?

Me: Kev and I bumped into him with Sue and their grandson Riley at the Vintage Show yesterday.

Nell: But who else is with them and why does he look like a smaller version of David?

Me: It’s Toby, Dave and Harriet’s nephew and your great nephew.

Nell: I have to tell Maisie that her daughter Mist’s son is fine.

Me: Your sister Maisie? Is she up there with you?

Nell: Of course she is. She was here when I arrived and so was my mother Fleur.

Me: Well, tell them Toby is doing really well. He’s a lovely boy and he looks so much like his Uncle Dave.

Nell: He seems to be getting on very well with Kev.

Me: We were absolutely delighted to see him and Tony and Sue.

Nell: How’s Tony? It must be strange delivering the post to the house without us all there.

Me: He says it is.

Nell: Happy memories.

Me: Yes. His visits were the highlight of Dave’s day.

Nell: Did you tell David you saw Tony?

Me: No. He misses him so much. We’re hoping Tony can come over to see Dave soon.

Nell: So, what’s the plan today?

Me: I’m going to my aqua class at the gym and we’re having fish for dinner.

Nell: Must you really?

Me: Fish is good for you, Nell.

Nell: The family resemblance is truly striking, isn’t it?

Me: Are we talking about Toby again?

Nell: I think I shall invite my mother and sister to tea.

Me: Could you also invite mine?

Nell: That’s something only you can do when the time comes.

Me: I see.

Nell: What a reunion that will be.

Me: Will you be there?

Nell: Where else would I be?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Is that a deer?

Me: Yes. Dave and Harriet met it on their evening walk.

Nell: Are they playing Cowardy Custard?

Me: The game Dave plays with Walter Pigeon where you lose if you’re the first one to look away?

Nell: I know what the game is.

Me: I don’t know. Maybe.

Nell: It looks like nobody wants to give in.

Me: Dave’s a surprisingly good player.

Nell: It’s all the years of playing with Walter.

Me: Someone must have looked away or they would still be there now and they definitely aren’t because Harriet’s up here with me and Dave’s downstairs waiting for bacon.

Nell: Of course he’s waiting for bacon. It’s Sunday. How was the Village Show?

Me: There were some beautiful tomatoes and a really long runner bean.

Nell: Good to hear.

Me: And our next door neighbour won third prize for her cherry cake.

Nell: Sophie’s mother?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Have you heard from Alice?

Me: Yes. Jonathan and his father are busy getting ready for their camping trip to Denmark tomorrow.

Nell: How exciting for them.

Me: And Chris has become a Canadian citizen. He received his citizenship certificate yesterday.

Nell: What an international family.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Are you still going to the Vintage Show today?

Me: Yes. Kev and I love seeing all the tractors.

Nell: You’ve got tractors driving past your house all the time.

Me: It’s different.

Nell: I hope you’re not missing Sunday Songs.

Me: No we’re singing first.

Nell: Good.

Me: But there won’t be a Sunday roast today. Just a salad in the evening.

Nell: Unbelievable.

Me: We’re going to grab a burger at the show.

Nell: And what about everybody else?

Me: Herr Hoffmann is making them some delicious sandwiches.

Nell: For Sunday lunch?

Me: Sorry.

Nell: It looks like it was a difficult goodbye for David and Faye.

Me: Yes, it was.

Nell: How are you?

Me: Not too wonderful, Nell, but I’ll be fine once I’m back in my usual routine.

Nell: You will. Did you track their flight?

Me: Of course. They didn’t land in Berlin until 10.30pm so it was a long day for them all.

Nell: But now they’re back home with Andre.

Me: They are.

Nell: Which is where they should be.

Me: It is.

Nell: Even though you wish they were still here.

Me: So much.

Nell: I think a quiet weekend might be a good idea.

Me: Actually, there’s the village show this afternoon and the big Vintage show tomorrow.

Nell: The one with all the tractors?

Me: Exactly.

Nell: You’ll enjoy that.

Me: We will.

Nell: Make sure you wear a hat. The Weather Guardians are predicting a rise in temperatures.

Me: What about you? Do you have any plans for this weekend?

Nell: Poppy’s roast on Sunday, obviously, but today is going to be a quiet one. A little light reading in the garden. Yes, we have gardens up here.

Me: I didn’t ask.

Nell: No, but you wanted to.

Me: I like to think of you reading in the garden. Is it green and flowery?

Nell: Of course.

Me: We’ve got a hosepipe ban so everything is very dry here.

Nell: A hosepipe ban after all those months of rain?

Me: I know. We’re all rather annoyed about it.

Nell: Understandably. How about we both go and make a nice cup of Earl Grey and then carry on chatting for a little longer today?

Me: I would love that, Nell. Thank you.

Nell: No need for thanks. You and me. Always. Remember?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Today is a difficult day.

Me: It is.

Nell: David and Harriet don’t look happy either.

Me: They know something’s going on. They’ve seen Alice and the children packing their cases.

Nell: I never used to like those days.

Me: Saying goodbye is so difficult.

Nell: I know.

Me: But life has to go on and their life is in Germany.

Nell: They need to get back to it.

Me: They do.

Nell: Holidays can’t last forever and Andre is waiting for them.

Me: Yes, the children are very excited about seeing their father again.

Nell: Of course they are.

Me: I love them so much.

Nell: And they love you. How was your trip to Hope Cove yesterday?

Me: It was a lot colder so I didn’t go for a swim but Jonathan Sky did.

Nell: Good. I see there were some lovely cuddles.

Me: There were. The best.

Nell: Did you enjoy your lunch at the Cottage Hotel?

Me: We did. Sarah and William who own the hotel were there and we had a lovely chat. I haven’t seen them in a while.

Nell: I remember them well.

Me: The Cottage Hotel was your favourite place.

Nell: Indeed. Moving on, I hope you’re all going to have a good breakfast. You should never travel on an empty stomach.

Me: Herr Hoffmann is making bacon sandwiches and there are fresh eggs from the farm.

Nell: Excellent. Make sure David shares.

Me: He will. Faye is quite strict with him.

Nell: Good.

Me: She’s told him all the hand feeding has to stop.

Nell: She’s right. Are they taking a picnic for the train?

Me: Yes, it’s a family tradition.

Nell: You’re allowed to feel sad, you know. It’s completely understandable.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries. Not today.

Nell: That’s Nigel with Kev and Faye. In his garden.

Me: I’ve never seen it look so dry. We really need some rain.

Nell: You didn’t tell me you were going to see Nigel.

Me: We went to see Charlotte so Alice and the children could say goodbye.

Nell: Was that cat there?

Me: Xav the Cat was there but he didn’t want to see anyone so he hid in the bushes.

Nell: Typical. Cats don’t care.

Me: I don’t think you can say that about all cats, Nell.

Nell: The Cat Guardians are dreadful. No discipline at all. Just the occasional check on their loved ones and then off doing whatever they want to do.

Me: Cats are independent and free-spirited.

Nell: You mean selfish.

Me: How many parties and light lunches has The Cat hosted? And its Dressing Up Box is always available to everyone.

Nell: Not everyone and The Cat is different.

Me: Anyway, we had a lovely time at Charlotte’s and it was touching to see how happy Nigel was to see us all. Especially Kev.

Nell: Nigel is besotted with Kev.

Me: He does adore him.

Nell: How was Kingsbridge?

Me: Really busy. I sat on the quay while the others went shopping. It was really lovely watching the world go by in the sunshine.

Nell: I hope you sat in the shade.

Me: I did. I always do nowadays except later in the day.

Nell: Good. So, what are the plans today?

Me: We’re aiming to go to Hope Cove for lunch at the Cottage Hotel.

Nell: Prawn sandwiches and a bowl of chips?

Me: Exactly. Followed by an afternoon on the beach.

Nell: Sounds perfect.

Me: I wish they could stay longer.

Nell: Think of the wonderful memories you’ve made.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: David and Faye seem to have bonded with each other this visit.

Me: Faye says they’re Best Friends Forever.

Nell: And what about David?

Me: He’s extremely protective of her. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: Which is just as it should be. Everyone should have a Labrador protector in their lives.

Me: You’re mine.

Nell: I am.

Me: They’re always playing together.

Nell: Good to hear.

Me: They watch the Bus Stop and share food.

Nell: I knew food would come into it.

Me: Only safe food. Faye knows dogs can’t eat everything.

Nell: Well, I think their friendship is lovely to see.

Me: So do I.

Nell: And how are you? I know it’s only two more sleeps until they go back to Germany.

Me: I’m trying not to think about it.

Nell: A wise decision.

Me: Faye asked if we could persuade our next door neighbours to leave so they could move in there.

Nell: And Jonathan Sky? He’s going to miss you all, too.

Me: He is. But life must go on and he is off on a biking and camping trip with his father next week so he has lots of things to look forward to.

Nell: That’s good to hear. So, what are your plans today?

Me: We’re going into Kingsbridge to buy some fresh fish.

Nell: Again?

Me: You can never have enough fish. Ask Poppy.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: And this afternoon we’re off to the beach.

Nell: Don’t forget your hat and your sunscreen.

Me: I won’t.

Nell: And don’t swim out too far.

Me: I’m always careful, Nell. I grew up by the sea.

Nell: Enjoy every moment. You’ll miss them but you’re making memories that’ll stay with you long after they’ve gone home.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: David is on a mission.

Me: He wanted to get up on the bed first.

Nell: Harriet doesn’t seem too bothered.

Me: The heat is wearing her out.

Nell: The Weather Guardians say temperatures will drop over the next few days.

Me: Yes, that’s why we changed dinner from fish to a barbecue.

Nell: Thank goodness for that.

Me: We were able to sit in the garden to eat and it was even warm enough to play a board game after dinner.

Nell: Who won?

Me: I did. Again.

Nell: No need to show off about it. Winning is fine but coming second is kinder.

Me: I’ve never heard that one.

Nell: Well, you have now. The beach looks busy.

Me: It’s August so we have to expect it but I must say I prefer it out of season.

Nell: It seems wrong to me that we dogs are banned but the seagulls can go where they like.

Me: The Beefies were everywhere yesterday.

Nell: I can see. Is that a piece of pizza in its beak?

Me: Yes, you won’t believe this.

Nell: I might.

Me: The Beefies were selling pizza in the beach car park.

Nell: Nothing surprising about that.

Me: But that’s not the surprising thing.

Nell: Get to the point. I’ve got a breakfast meeting in a few minutes.

Me: A breakfast meeting?

Nell: Yes, being Chief Guardian is extremely time consuming.

Me: So you won?

Nell: I told you, didn’t I?

Me: Maybe. Things are rather busy at the moment.

Nell: So what have the Beefies done now?

Me: They sell their pizza to innocent tourists in the car park.

Nell: Gullible Grockles.

Me: And steal it back on the beach.

Nell: Dastardly.

Me: But clever.

Nell: Never praise a Beefy.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: Have you been talking to horses?

Me: They were ponies, actually.

Nell: Same thing. What were you doing talking to them?

Me: They were passing the house and stopped to let the children stroke them.

Nell: And did they?

Me: Of course they did. They loved meeting them. It’s always good to make new friends.

Nell: With a horse? David doesn’t seem too pleased about it.

Me: Dave’s asleep on the bed. He couldn’t care less.

Nell: Were the horses waiting for a bus?

Me: No, they were going for a walk with their riders.

Nell: One of them was just tagging along.

Me: She was the children’s favourite.

Nell: They were probably after Spaghetti Bolognese.

Me: There wasn’t any. I think Stanley might be on holiday.

Nell: Please don’t tell me you’re having leftovers again today.

Me: No, although they were delicious yesterday. We’re having fresh fish.

Nell: Fish, again?

Me: From our fishmonger. Not the Beefies. Do you have fresh fish up there?

Nell: We have everything.

Me: Ask Poppy to cook you some. She loves fish and it’s very good for you.

Nell: I don’t like the bones.

Me: Poppy can fillet it.

Nell: Fish is for Fridays not Mondays.

Me: Now, you’re being contrary. Fish can be for any day of the week.

Nell: Moving on, what are your plans today?

Me: I’m going to my aqua class at the gym and Alice and the children are off to the beach.

Nell: Are they taking a picnic?

Me: Yes, they are.

Nell: I hope they have hats and sun cream.

Me: They do.

Nell: And lots of water. We don’t want them dehydrating.

Me: Alice has it all under control. No need to worry.

Nell: It’s my job.

Me: Yes, I suppose it is. Sorry.