Nell: You all look extremely tired.

Me: We had another difficult day, Nell.

Nell: What happened?

Me: Kev and I had to take Charlotte back into hospital with chest pains.

Nell: Oh no.

Me: She was feeling really tired and unwell and the hospital said she’d better come in for further tests to rule out a heart attack.

Nell: It must have been scary.

Me: It was. She was so weak. It broke my heart to see her like that.

Nell: I’m sure it did.

Me: After hours of waiting and further tests they are now ruling out angina, but aren’t sure what it is.

Nell: Was she discharged?

Me: Yes. She didn’t get home until around 1am, but at least she’s home.

Nell: Nigel must have been out of his mind with worry.

Me: Charlotte said he’s being a very good boy. He slept next to her all night and kept her safe.

Nell: And what about you?

Me: I’m chugging along, Nell.

Nell: You need to take care of yourself. You can’t help Charlotte if you’re exhausted.

Me: I know. Dave and Harriet are very worried. They’re not used to Kev and I being gone for so long.

Nell: Fortunately they have each other.

Me: Yes, and they gave us a wonderful welcome home..

Nell: Good dogs.

Me: I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their kind messages of support. Please keep Charlotte in your thoughts and prayers.

Nell: I’m sure they will. Now, what are your plans for today?

Me: Kev and I are hoping for a quiet day but you never know at the moment.

Nell: Best to take one day at a time. And remember I’m here to listen. You and me. Always.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries. Not today.

Nell: You’re rather late today and David looks exhausted.

Me: We’ve had a dreadful night, Nell.

Nell: Why? What happened?

Me: My niece called me yesterday evening to say they were rushing my sister Charlotte into hospital with chest pains.

Nell: Oh no.

Me: A&E was completely overrun and she had to lie across chairs.

Nell: How awful.

Me: She was in dreadful pain but they managed to get it under control.

Nell: Was it a heart attack?

Me: No. Thank goodness. It was severe angina. They sent her home around 4:30am and have referred her to the cardiac team.

Nell: You must have been worried out of your mind.

Me: I was. I managed to talk to her from 3am when the chest pains subsided which helped both of us.

Nell: Your poor sister. She must have been so frightened.

Me: She was but fortunately our wonderful NHS doctors and nurses came to her rescue.

Nell: You are lucky to have them.

Me: We are. I am so thankful.

Nell: This must have brought back memories of losing your little sister Alex.

Me: It did.

Nell: I think you should go back to bed.

Me: I will. I just wanted to let everyone know what happened.

Nell: How is Nigel coping?

Me: Better now, I imagine. He was at home alone with Xav the Cat. Charlotte was very worried about him so I told her Kev would drive over and collect him if she didn’t get home.

Nell: But she is home.

Me: Yes, and her daughter is with her.

Nell: There’s nothing more to be done at the moment so I would suggest you try and get some sleep.

Me: I will.

Nell: David and Harriet will watch over you.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries. Not today.

Me: There’s something comforting about green fields, isn’t there?

Nell: Yes, there is. What are the farmers growing?

Me: We think they’re growing turnips for winter feed.

Nell: That makes sense.

Me: Yes. I always see green as the colour of hope.

Nell: Or Go.

Me: Go?

Nell: Red means Stop. Green means Go.

Me: Oh, yes. I see what you mean.

Nell: You’re up early today.

Me: I have an appointment first thing this morning for a mammogram.

Nell: Good.

Me: That’s what Kev said, although I’m always a bit nervous about these things.

Nell: You will be.

Me: And I imagine the worst.

Nell: Understandable. It’s very unlikely they will find anything but if they do then they will have caught it early.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: Which is why it’s so important to go to any screenings offered.

Me: Yes, it is.

Nell: So, your photos of green fields today are particularly apt.

Me: Why?

Nell: Green means Go and that’s what you should do.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: Just think of it as a Green sort of day.

Me: I’ll try.

Nell: And if you’re feeling nervous think of walking through those green fields with Dave and Harriet.

Me: We’re not actually allowed to walk through the fields. We have to stick to the path so we don’t damage the crops, although Harriet doesn’t always listen.

Nell: Good grief. Can we just agree that today is a positive day of hope and you’re doing the sensible and right thing?

Me: I’m still a bit scared about it, Nell.

Nell: I know, but you’re being brave.

Me: Not really. I’m a bit of a coward.

Nell: Being brave is facing something you’re scared of doing. Being scared is not cowardly at all. It’s human.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: I’ve been thinking.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: About how lucky we are to have wonderful countryside walks on our doorstep.

Nell: You are.

Me: The light in the woodland yesterday was absolutely magical.

Nell: I can see that from your photos.

Me: The sun was really quite hot so it was lovely to have some shade.

Nell: The Weather Guardians tell me it’s unseasonably warm at the moment.

Me: There are several parts to our walk. We start and end in the woodland but in the middle we are out in the fields and it feels completely different.

Nell: It would do.

Me: The farmers were out on their tractors tilling and seeding the soil.

Nell: Good for them.

Me: I couldn’t be a farmer.

Nell: No you could not.

Me: They work so hard. From first thing in the morning to last thing at night or even into the night. We hear the tractors.

Nell: It’s a hard life.

Me: I couldn’t drive a tractor.

Nell: Nobody suggested you should.

Me: I have trouble reaching the pedals in a normal car.

Nell: I don’t think the pedals get further away the bigger the vehicle. Not all farmers are tall.

Me: Talking of farmers, Jim the Farm Dog paid Harriet a surprise visit and joined us for dinner.

Nell: The poor animal.

Me: Why do you say that? He was delighted to see Harriet and she was over the moon to see him. It was adorable.

Nell: After a hard day’s work in the fields Jim will have been expecting a Sunday roast with all the trimmings and all he got was a salad.

Me: It was a lovely salad with home cooked gammon and baby potatoes.

Nell: Salad is salad.

Me: Yes, I suppose it is. Sorry.

Nell: What’s the matter with everyone?

Me: They’re on Pug Alert.

Nell: Pug Alert?

Me: Nigel went to the pub for a pint with Kev yesterday.

Nell: Is that relevant?

Me: Yes. Nigel and Kev were sitting outside enjoying a chat as usual when an angry pug came racing out and attacked Nigel.

Nell: Was Nigel doing anything untoward?

Me: No.

Nell: How rude.

Me: Yes. He wasn’t exactly best pleased and told the pug exactly what he thought of it in quite a forceful manner.

Nell: What did the pug do?

Me: It hid under the table until its owner came out and apologised.

Nell: Did Nigel accept the apology?

Me: In a way, but I don’t think they’re ever going to become friends.

Nell: It wasn’t Babycakes Gillespie, was it?

Me: Definitely not. I know Babycakes is a gangster pug from Plymouth but he’s retired now. We haven’t seen him for a while.

Nell: And Babycakes would never have attacked Nigel without reason.

Me: Or at all. Hopefully.

Nell: So, what are your plans for today?

Me: Sunday Songs, a walk in the countryside and a Salady Dinner.

Nell: A Salady Dinner? In October?

Me: We had a gammon for dinner last night so there’s a lot left over and it’s perfect with salad.

Nell: But it’s Sunday.

Me: It means the Hoffmanns get an evening off.

Nell: We’re having Roast Pork with crackling and apple sauce.

Me: Tasty.

Nell: Poppy wouldn’t dream of offering anyone salad on a Sunday.

Me: I know.

Nell: That pug was lucky Poppy wasn’t around when it attacked Nigel.

Me: Does she still carry a sword?

Nell: Yes, or a cutlass. It depends on her mood.

Me: I hope that pug isn’t at Sunday Songs.

Nell: It wouldn’t dare.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: I hope David and Nigel weren’t arguing.

Me: No, they were just play fighting.

Nell: Play fighting?

Me: One of them twirls around quickly, sticks their bottom in the air and gives the other a fierce, sideways look. Then the other one pretends to be scared.

Nell: What are you talking about?

Me: You used to do it now and again when you were in the mood. Although I’m not sure it was actually play fighting with you.

Nell: I never stuck my bottom in the air.

Me: No, but you definitely gave the fierce, sideways look.

Nell: Nigel deserved it.

Me: Anyway, it wasn’t serious. Dave and Nigel were just having fun.

Nell: Good. How was your Turkish evening?

Me: It was hilarious. Gladys and the llamas were trying to do the Dance of the Seven Veils and got tangled up with each other.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: The llamas kept falling over.

Nell: Did Gladys find it funny?

Me: No. She takes her dancing very seriously.

Nell: What are your plans for today?

Me: Strictly’s back on television so we’re all going to watch that.

Nell: Good idea. I have fond memories of my days as a professional ballroom dancer with my partner Anton du Bark.

Me: Is there anything you haven’t done, Nell?

Nell: I was never into rock climbing.

Me: Like Pamela the Pyrenean Mountain Dog who criticised your weight?

Nell: Why do you always have to bring that up?

Me: I remember how cross you were.

Nell: Who wouldn’t be? Pamela is the size of a pony.

Me: I don’t think Pamela has actually ever climbed a mountain.

Nell: Of course she hasn’t. She can barely walk up Kingsbridge high street.

Me: It is very steep.

Nell: That’s not the point.

Me: No. Sorry.

Me: Look at sweet-faced Harriet. Isn’t she adorable?

Nell: That’s a rather unflattering angle.

Me: Stop being so critical.

Nell: What are your plans for the weekend?

Me: Charlotte and Nigel are coming over and we’re having a Turkish Night.

Nell: Turkish?

Me: Yes. I’m rather excited.

Nell: I hope you’re not going to eat that awful sticky stuff.

Me: You mean Turkish Delight?

Nell: Yes.

Me: Definitely not. I can’t stand it and rose water doesn’t agree with me.

Nell: Of course it doesn’t. You must never drink out of a vase.

Me: Rose water is made with clean water.

Nell: Leave it alone, please.

Me: Don’t worry. I’m sticking to grilled meat and flatbreads.

Nell: I expect David is excited. Grilled meat is his favourite.

Me: Gladys and the llamas are going to perform some kind of interpretive dance.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: Did I ever tell you I went to belly dancing classes when I lived in Berlin?

Nell: No, you did not.

Me: It was ever so difficult.

Nell: Please don’t tell me you will be dancing.

Me: Absolutely not, but Dave might join in.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: I bet Poppy would cook you a Turkish dinner if you asked her.

Nell: I’m fine, thank you, and Friday means fish.

Me: Freshly caught?

Nell: Of course.

Me: By Poppy?

Nell: Who else? Although I think Patrick might be joining her on the boat as she’ll need to concentrate on the fishing.

Me: You have boats?

Nell: We have everything. Has there been any news of Rupert?

Me: He’s still in Canada.

Nell: I hope he’s going to visit Chris, Shannon and Marvin before he leaves.

Me: I’m sure he’ll pop in if he can.

Nell: Pop in? They need a proper visit.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Hope Cove is looking beautiful.

Me: Yes. It was wonderful to be by the sea and back at the Cottage Hotel.

Nell: Does it feel different now there are new owners?

Me: A little.

Nell: Before we discuss yesterday, it’s the first of October so please share the link to the website where people can buy you a cup of Earl Grey.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. Thank you so much in advance. Your support means a lot.

Nell: So, how was the book launch?

Me: Really enjoyable. It was good to see Michael and other writers in the flesh again and not just on Zoom.

Nell: I’m glad.

Me: Michael asked me to read from his book so I read the part where his daughter was born and people were moved to tears.

Nell: Well done.

Me: I used to be a voiceover artist so he knew I could do it.

Nell: Did you get a signed copy of his book?

Me: Of course, and he wrote in it that I should write my memoir.

Nell: It’s definitely worth thinking about.

Me: It is.

Nell: I see David is wearing that silly ring on his head again.

Me: He and Harriet were so excited when we came home. They thought we had gone forever.

Nell: It’s our duty and pleasure to welcome you with as much gusto as we can manage.

Me: Dave has a lot of gusto.

Nell: I remember.

Me: Coming home to dogs is always a joy. You never blame us for being late.

Nell: We dogs always forgive. Unlike cats. They forgive nothing and no one.

Me: Cats are different to dogs. You would never see a cat with a ring on its head.

Nell: You would never see me with one either.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: I see David and Harriet were busy exploring again.

Me: Yes. Look how green everything is.

Nell: David’s leading the way.

Me: I know. It’s unusual to see Harriet following. She’s usually running around.

Nell: She’s probably keeping an eye on him.

Me: Faye does that with Jonathan Sky. He’s such a dreamer.

Nell: What are your plans today?

Me: Kev and I are off to the Cottage Hotel this afternoon.

Nell: Why?

Me: My writer friend Michael Pantlin has a book launch.

Nell: What’s the title of the book?

Me: ‘Belonging to Myself’. It’s a brave and wonderful memoir.

Nell: How interesting.

Me: Michael had a very difficult relationship with his mother and was starved of love as a child. There was finally an unspoken reconciliation on her death bed but it was a very long time coming.

Nell: How sad.

Me: Yes. He moved from Liverpool to Holland when he was ten and has always had a foot in two countries.

Nell: Like you.

Me: Yes, I moved to Berlin when I was 18 and didn’t return to the UK until I was 47.

Nell: Maybe you should write your memoir?

Me: That’s what Michael said.

Nell: You were living in West Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down.

Me: I was.

Nell: You must have so many stories to tell.

Me: You know I do.

Nell: Think about it.

Me: Writing a memoir is a huge task.

Nell: It is.

Me: I admire Michael for having the courage to do it.

Nell: I’d like to read it.

Me: I could get you a signed copy but how can I give it to you?

Nell: Don’t worry. I’ll take it out of the library.

Me: You have a library?

Nell: We have everything.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Nell: Morning. What was the matter with David?

Me: He wanted Harriet to come downstairs.

Nell: Where was she?

Me: Upstairs. She’d found a patch of sunshine and was warming herself.

Nell: Sensible girl.

Me: It made me think.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: It’s the same as a pocketful of happiness, isn’t it?

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: In darker times we need to find a patch of sunshine.

Nell: We do.

Me: I had a lovely FaceTime with Chris and Shannon at the weekend.

Nell: Good.

Me: They were in their new house and showed me around.

Nell: An exciting time.

Me: Marvin was there, too. He loves the garden.

Nell: A garden is important for us dogs.

Me: Seeing how happy Chris and Shannon are in their new home has made me happy, too.

Nell: Yes.

Me: And the feeling of happiness has stayed with me and carried me through sad times.

Nell: I’m glad to hear it.

Me: So, in a way I’m like Harriet. I’ve found my patch of sunshine and I can go there when I need to.

Nell: But David has to stay downstairs.

Me: I wouldn’t say that, Nell.

Nell: If he takes the patch of sunshine there won’t be any room for anyone else.

Me: I suppose not, although I’d like to think it could be shared.

Nell: Sharing is caring.

Me: Dave’s patch of sunshine was when Harriet heard him crying and came downstairs. She gave up her sunshine for him.

Nell: And made another for them both.

Me: That’s true.

Nell: It must have been a very large patch.

Me: I think it grows when it’s shared.

Nell: You’re having a rather insightful morning.

Me: I am, aren’t I?

Nell: Don’t worry. It won’t last.

Me: No. Sorry.