Nell: Good morning. You’re awake rather early today.

Me: I went to bed early after our exciting walk.

Nell: Was it exciting in real life, or in your head?

Me: It was real. I promise.

Nell: Good.

Me: You know I was struggling a little yesterday on the third anniversary of my sister’s death?

Nell: I do.

Me: Well, the weather was so lovely we decided to go on a long walk in the countryside.

Nell: Always a good idea.

Me: Yes. Everything is coming to life at the moment and the colours are wonderful.

Nell: The walk certainly seems to have lifted your spirits.

Me: It really has. It was just what I needed.

Nell: What was exciting?

Me: We met a fluffy dog who knows Dave and Harriet and was ever so pleased to see them again.

Nell: Nice, but not exactly exciting.

Me: And several tall horses out for a gentle stroll.

Nell: I’m not keen on horses.

Me: You were born on a stud farm.

Nell: Nevertheless.

Me: Anyway, they were very polite and well-behaved.

Nell: But not exciting.

Me: No, the exciting part was when Dave spotted a small deer.

Nell: A deer?

Me: Yes, a tiny sweet little deer with a white tail.

Nell: I was imagining a Heffalump at the very least.

Me: I said it was real.

Nell: Heffalumps are real.

Me: They’re not real, Nell.

Nell: If they’re not real then why did one just walk past me?

Me: Are you saying you’ve just seen an actual Heffalump?

Nell: Yes.

Me: That is exciting.

Nell: Definitely more exciting than a small deer.

Me: Yes, and a tiny bit scary.

Nell: They won’t bother me. Poppy is here with her sword. Heffalumps are not fond of fierce terriers.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Nell: I know today is a difficult day.

Me: It’s bittersweet. Three years since my little sister Alex died but also 22 years since my niece Scarlett was born.

Nell: Both happy and sad.

Me: Yes. You don’t really know what to do with yourself.

Nell: I would recommend a long walk in the countryside.

Me: That’s exactly what we did yesterday. It was lovely.

Nell: I can see from the photos.

Me: The countryside is really coming alive. The fields are so green and Dave found some bluebells.

Nell: I presume Harriet went paddling in the river?

Me: She did.

Nell: You’re still walking behind them, aren’t you?

Me: It’s where I always walked with you.

Nell: I’m still beside you.

Me: Yes.

Nell: And so is Alex.

Me: Does she seem happy?

Nell: Yes. She’s with your mother and grandmother.

Me: I like to think of them all together again.

Nell: They don’t want you to be sad but they understand if you are.

Me: Kev and I were saying how lucky we are to live where we do.

Nell: Devon is beautiful.

Me: He was remembering the long walks you both used to have in Oxfordshire.

Nell: Our special time.

Me: My sister was too young to die.

Nell: I know.

Me: I hope she knows how much we miss her.

Nell: She does. Trust me. So, what are you doing today apart from a walk?

Me: Celebrating and Remembering.

Nell: I’m going to do the same.

Me: Thank you.

Nell: How was Easter Sunday?

Me: Delightful. Too much chocolate but lots of laughter and love.

Nell: Which is just as it should be.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Take care of yourself today, please. And remember it’s fine to be happy as well as sad.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Happy Easter. Do you like the hats?

Nell: Where’s yours?

Me: I’m going to put it on later, Nell.

Nell: Make sure you do. Today is a day of celebration.

Me: It’s not the same without you.

Nell: Things can’t stay the same for ever.

Me: I know but I still miss seeing you in your hat.

Nell: If it helps, I’m wearing one right now.

Me: Does it have feathers?

Nell: Certainly not. It’s a large-brimmed hat much favoured by the late Queen.

Me: Is she up there, Nell?

Nell: Of course she is. Where else would she be?

Me: Have you seen her?

Nell: No, she’s far too busy watching over a whole nation.

Me: Yes, that makes sense.

Nell: Poppy wants to know what kind of roast you’re having today.

Me: Roast chicken with all the trimmings.

Nell: Stuffing and sausages?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Bread sauce?

Me: Dave ate the first batch by mistake but Herr Hoffmann’s making another.

Nell: Cauliflower cheese?

Me: Absolutely and lots of roasted vegetables.

Nell: We’re having the same.

Me: Good.

Nell: What about chocolate Easter eggs?

Me: Safely hidden in the refrigerator.

Nell: And only for you, Kev and Charlotte.

Me: Yes, I know chocolate is dangerous for dogs.

Nell: Not up here.

Me: Really?

Nell: Yes. I had my first ever Easter egg with my cup of Earl Grey this morning.

Me: Did you enjoy it?

Nell: Very much. Now I understand what all the fuss is about.

Me: We’re going to mention you at Sunday Songs today, Nell.

Nell: How kind. Please pass on my best Easter wishes to everyone.

Me: I will.

Nell: Now go and have a piece of chocolate egg before the parade begins and don’t forget your hat.

Me: I’ll fetch it now. Sorry.

Me: There’s nothing like an Easter Saturday swim.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: What do you think of my action shots of Harriet chasing her ball?

Nell: It looks dangerous to me.

Me: It wasn’t.

Nell: The water’s flowing too fast.

Me: She knows exactly how to time catching the ball.

Nell: I can see David was worried because he waded into the water.

Me: Dave always worries about her. She knows what she’s doing.

Nell: Was the small dog with the brown ears there again?

Me: No. It had delivered its message so there was no need.

Nell: Has Harriet done anything with the message?

Me: I don’t know. She FaceTimed with Sally, so maybe?

Nell: Is Sally coming down for Easter?

Me: I don’t think so but then again nobody really tells me anything.

Nell: You can’t be trusted.

Me: Yes, I can.

Nell: You tell everyone.

Me: Only you and the others.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: They’re our friends. They won’t tell anyone.

Nell: Moving on, have you chosen an Easter bonnet?

Me: Yes. The Cat wanted me to have feathers but I refused.

Nell: Wise decision. Leave the feathers to David and the birds.

Me: I thought I might cover it in fruit.

Nell: Don’t go all Carmen Miranda again, please. You’re in Devon, not Brazil.

Me: What about some spring flowers?

Nell: Perfect. And remember, less is more.

Me: Spring used to be my favourite time of year. Lots of family birthdays and everything coming into bloom.

Nell: Why isn’t it anymore?

Me: Now I associate it with losing you and my little sister Alex.

Nell: Try and see it a different way. We can’t be with you physically but life goes on and Spring is showing you that it does.

Me: You’re right. Sorry.

Me: Do you know a small white dog with brown ears?

Nell: Happy Good Friday to you, too.

Me: Yes, Happy Good Friday. Do you?

Nell: No, I don’t. Why?

Me: Harriet had a secret rendezvous with it down by the river.

Nell: A secret rendezvous?

Me: Yes. It looked like it was whispering something in her ear.

Nell: Does Jim the Farm Dog know?

Me: It wasn’t that kind of rendezvous.

Nell: What kind was it?

Me: The Spying Kind.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: Dave knows.

Nell: Knows what?

Me: Knows Something. When he saw them he came running over and Harriet quickly stopped and ran towards him with a low head.

Nell: A low head?

Me: It’s what you all do when you’re guilty. Although, come to think of it I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do it.

Nell: I’m never guilty.

Me: You’re defiant.

Nell: You’re not going to like this, but what if Harriet was simply saying hello to another dog and David was jealous?

Me: There’s definitely more to it.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: There is.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: A storm is brewing.

Nell: Don’t start all that again.

Me: And it’s called Dave.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: The storm is called Dave.

Nell: Storm Dave?

Me: Yes, it’s true.

Nell: You’ve gone too far now. I can put up with secret meetings but a storm called Dave is ridiculous.

Me: Dave’s rather pleased about it, truth be told.

Nell: Truth isn’t being told.

Me: Ask the MET office, or the BBC.

Nell: I shall do nothing of the kind. Mutley is joining me for a cup of Earl Grey and some gentle reminiscing.

Me: I didn’t make it up.

Nell: That’ll be a first.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Look at my Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: He’s put that horrible ring on the bed.

Me: It’s his favourite toy, Nell.

Nell: It doesn’t belong there.

Me: It makes him happy.

Nell: He doesn’t look happy.

Me: He’s concentrating on the Bus Stop. It’s his Focused Face.

Nell: If you say so. What are the plans today?

Me: The sun is shining and it’s nearly Easter so we might go down to the sea.

Nell: What’s Easter got to do with it?

Me: The beaches are going to be very busy at the weekend.

Nell: Oh yes. The Grockles will be arriving in their thousands.

Me: Don’t call them Grockles, Nell. They’re tourists.

Nell: They’re a nuisance.

Me: I like to see people enjoying our beautiful county.

Nell: You don’t like all the cars.

Me: No, that’s true. I prefer the quieter months.

Nell: At least Grockles aren’t something we Guardians have to worry about.

Me: No.

Nell: We’re all here to stay.

Me: I don’t suppose you ever come across any human Guardians, do you?

Nell: Like your mother and your little sister Alex?

Me: Yes. Monday will be the third anniversary of her death.

Nell: They wave to us from afar and I could probably visit them but I think it’s something we will do together when it’s time.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: Now, are the llamas still dressed as zebras?

Me: No. They’re busy making hats for the Easter Parade.

Nell: Easter Parade?

Me: Yes, we’re all going to parade to the Village Hall for Sunday Songs.

Nell: Have you got a hat?

Me: Not yet. I’m going over to The Cat’s to choose one later.

Nell: You’ll need to decorate it yourself.

Me: I know. I remember.

Nell: So do I.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Why is Harriet staring at the ceiling?

Me: She’s looking upstairs.

Nell: Is she waiting for Kev?

Me: No, I don’t think so. Sometimes I wonder if she thinks you’re upstairs and you’ll be down in a moment. Dave does it, too.

Nell: I’m afraid that’s never going to happen.

Me: I know and it’s really hard for us to accept.

Nell: Give yourselves time. I’ve only been gone just over a month. It’s not very long.

Me: You’re right and I must say I’m really glad that March is over. It’s been a difficult time.

Nell: Yes, now today is the start of a new month so you know what you need to do.

Me: Share the link to the website where people can support us.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. Thank you so much in advance. I really appreciate your support.

Nell: We both do. It is of great comfort to me to know so many people are looking out for you.

Me: Yes, it is extremely kind and it genuinely helps on so many levels.

Nell: I expect everyone is relieved to find we can still have our conversations.

Me: They are. I think they have become part of many people’s lives.

Nell: They have.

Me: They’re my pocketful of happiness, Nell.

Nell: And mine. So, I hope there haven’t been any shenanigans this morning.

Me: Why?

Nell: It’s April Fool’s Day.

Me: Oh yes, I forgot. Do you think that’s why the llamas are dressed as zebras?

Nell: It might be a fashion statement.

Me: I know they’re supposed to be filming a fitness video with Gladys so maybe it’s zebra themed?

Nell: Anything’s possible. Poppy’s dressed as a helicopter pilot today.

Me: Sunglasses on, or off?

Nell: On, of course.

Me: Silly me. Sorry.

Nell: Harriet looks happy.

Me: She found an interesting gate.

Nell: It doesn’t look that interesting to me.

Me: The interesting part is there is nothing much on the other side of it, apart from grass.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: It doesn’t really go anywhere.

Nell: I’m confused.

Me: It’s a Gate to Nowhere.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: So, why is it there?

Nell: I have no idea.

Me: Maybe there used to be something behind it?

Nell: Of course there was something behind it. People don’t just go around the countryside putting up gates willy-nilly.

Me: But when did it go from being a Gate to Somewhere to a Gate to Nowhere?

Nell: Good grief.

Me: And why?

Nell: Calm down. It’s just a gate.

Me: It’s a mystery to me.

Nell: And it’s a mystery to me how you’ve survived in the real world for so long.

Me: I think I survive because I can always escape to mine.

Nell: Yours?

Me: My fantasy world.

Nell: True.

Me: My imagination keeps me sane.

Nell: I suppose it does, even though it leads you down some rabbit holes.

Me: I told Harriet to keep an eye on that gate. You never know what might be behind it next time.

Nell: Nothing, I suspect.

Me: We’ll see.

Nell: Anyway, back in the real world is Rupert finally wearing a cardigan?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Seriously?

Me: A beautiful paw-knitted soft brown cardigan to be exact.

Nell: Paw-knitted?

Me: Yes, by Myfanwy.

Nell: Myfanwy the bad corgi?

Me: She’s not bad anymore, Nell. She’s seen the error of her ways.

Nell: My Rupert is wearing a cardigan knitted by a Welsh corgi?

Me: That’s what Welsh corgis do, Nell. Sing and knit. And he’s not your Rupert anymore. Sorry.

Nell: I see David is invading Harriet’s personal space again.

Me: I think it’s adorable the way he rests his head on her. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: You would. David has a very heavy head. I remember it well.

Me: I know. He rests his head on me, too.

Nell: Harriet puts up with a lot from him.

Me: Dave’s always been affectionate but since you left us he’s become even cuddlier.

Nell: I haven’t left you.

Me: You know what I mean. I think he’s afraid we might leave too.

Nell: It’s understandable.

Me: Yes. And if you think about it the Puppies have never not been together.

Nell: True.

Me: I bet Poppy is glad to have you back.

Nell: Glad doesn’t even come close. She’s ecstatic.

Me: Bless her.

Nell: It’s dreadfully tiring.

Me: Stop complaining.

Nell: I’d forgotten just how much energy she has.

Me: She was always a live wire.

Nell: Talking of live wires, how are the llamas?

Me: There hasn’t been a lot of cartwheeling recently.

Nell: Why?

Me: They miss you, Nell.

Nell: Tell them I’m expecting cartwheels at Easter.

Me: I will.

Nell: Has there been any change in Rupert?

Me: No sign of a cardigan yet but I saw him smiling at Myfanwy the other day.

Nell: Myfanwy the bad corgi?

Me: She’s not bad anymore.

Nell: Daughter of Lady Anwen?

Me: I’d forgotten that.

Nell: Rupert has always had a soft spot for that wretched animal.

Me: Myfanwy is fine. She has a lovely singing voice.

Nell: She’s taking advantage of a grieving wolf.

Me: They were only having a chat at the Bus Stop.

Nell: Chatting is just the beginning. The next thing will be riding around in his sidecar.

Me: Myfanwy’s already done that. Sorry.

Nell: It’s good to see David and Harriet enjoying the beach together.

Me: I thought you’d like it.

Nell: You sound brighter today.

Me: I am. I slept much better.

Nell: You know the clocks have gone forward an hour, don’t you?

Me: I’d completely forgotten. So I didn’t sleep as long as I thought I did.

Nell: Poppy owes me a fiver.

Me: A fiver?

Nell: Yes. £5. She said you’d remember about the clocks and I knew you wouldn’t.

Me: Do you have English pounds up there?

Nell: We Guardians can have anything we want but it was actually a figurative bet.

Me: Talking of betting, is Poppy still playing poker?

Nell: Of course. She and Mutley run regular poker sessions at their club.

Me: Club?

Nell: Nightclub to be precise. Poppy’s Palace. Mutley plays the piano. Poppy manages the action.

Me: The action?

Nell: It’s a popular venue. Anyway, are you ready for Sunday Songs?

Me: You mean down here we’re all getting ready to join the Welsh Corgi Choir at the Village Hall and up there you’re going to nightclubs?

Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. The club’s not open yet. The clocks haven’t gone that far forward.

Me: Very funny.

Nell: I hope you’re wearing a hat.

Me: I don’t need one today.

Nell: You’ll need one next weekend. It’s Easter and you can’t go to Sunday Songs without a bonnet.

Me: I know.

Nell: Before I forget, Poppy wants Herr Hoffmann to check her Yorkshire pudding recipe. His aren’t fluffy enough.

Me: Poppy should stop issuing orders.

Nell: When pugs fly.

Me: Are you having a Sunday roast?

Nell: Of course. It’s roast chicken today with all the trimmings.

Me: You always loved chicken. It was your favourite treat.

Nell: It still is.

Me: Yes. Sorry.