Nell: Who on earth is that?

Me: It’s Luna. You were asking about her.

Nell: I’ve never heard of a Luna.

Me: She was at the Bus Stop with Knitwear Wolf. Isn’t she adorable?

Nell: Not really.

Me: Look at her smiley face and soft curly hair.

Nell: Calm down, please. She’s just an alpaca not a pedigree Labrador.

Me: She’s visiting Devon from Shropshire for the Easter holidays and she bumped into Knitwear Wolf who immediately admired her coat.

Nell: Rupert admires Luna?

Me: Very much, apparently.

Nell: How do you know all this?

Me: I asked Harriet.

Nell: Harriet?

Me: Yes, she was looking into a few things for Sally so I asked her about Luna.

Nell: How did you know her name?

Me: I didn’t until Harriet told me. I said you were concerned about the blue-eyed alpaca at the Bus Stop with Rupert.

Nell: Why did you have to say a thing like that?

Me: You were. You even mentioned Ramson Hunter and Sven Gully.

Nell: I suppose I did.

Me: I thought this would put your mind at ease.

Nell: I’m not sure Rupert should be going around admiring other animals’ coats. He’s in mourning.

Me: He’s also an entrepreneur with a successful knitwear business. He’s probably just looking for a new supplier.

Nell: You’re right.

Me: And taking Luna to dinner at the pub was probably for business purposes only.

Nell: Rupert took Luna out to dinner?

Me: Yes.

Nell: At our pub?

Me: Why not?

Nell: Does that mean Luna is staying in the village?

Me: Yes. She’s staying in one of the farmer’s barns.

Nell: When is she leaving?

Me: I don’t know but I’ll ask her when she comes to tea.

Nell: She’s coming to tea?

Me: Yes, with Rupert. Sorry.

Nell: You went on my favourite walk again.

Me: Yes, the weather was warm so we knew the beach would be busy and went to the river.

Nell: I see Kev decided to sit on my bench.

Me: He wanted to stop and remember you.

Nell: Did you join him?

Me: I’m not ready yet, Nell. You and I always sat there together while the others walked on. I couldn’t sit there yet without you.

Nell: I understand.

Me: The Puppies had a wonderful time splashing around in the river.

Nell: I used to enjoy a paddle.

Me: You did.

Nell: It was cooling on the paws.

Me: Nature is amazing and such a comfort.

Nell: Any news on the blue-eyed alpaca you saw at the Bus Stop talking to Rupert yesterday?

Me: No, but I’m wondering if it might be one of his suppliers.

Nell: Suppliers?

Me: Alpaca wool is highly prized. It’s luxurious and soft and even hypoallergenic.

Nell: You know a lot about it.

Me: Maybe Knitwear Wolf wants its wool for his blankets and cardigans?

Nell: Did it look like a business meeting?

Me: Not really. There was a lot of laughing.

Nell: Laughing?

Me: Yes. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Nell: Rupert’s supposed to be in mourning not gadding about town with corgis and alpacas.

Me: He’s not gadding about and you said life must go on.

Nell: Were they eating Spaghetti Bolognese?

Me: Of course not.

Nell: They might have been.

Me: Alpacas are herbivores. The most they would eat is a Spaghetti Napoli definitely not a bolognese.

Nell: But why were the Puppies so concerned?

Me: I don’t know. They didn’t say.

Nell: Ask them again. Maybe they know something we don’t. It hasn’t got blue eyes for nothing.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: There’s something worrying going on at the Bus Stop.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: Dave’s puffed out his cheeks.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: When Dave’s concerned he puffs his cheeks out before he barks.

Nell: It’ll be a llama cartwheeling, or something equally mundane.

Me: Harriet’s worried, too.

Nell: Well, go and have a look out of the window.

Me: I can see Knitwear Wolf.

Nell: In a cardigan?

Me: Yes. Forest green.

Nell: Anyone else?

Me: Stanley Smoochy and some Tupperware containers.

Nell: That’ll be the Spaghetti Bolognese for his pasta deliveries.

Me: Yes.

Nell: I don’t know why that would make Dave and Harriet concerned.

Me: Oh, there’s someone else with them.

Nell: Is it that dreadful Italian rook?

Me: No, it’s not Sponge Finger. It’s someone large and rather fluffy with blue eyes.

Nell: Did you say blue eyes?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Most unusual.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Light fluffy, or dark fluffy?

Me: Light fluffy. Sort of off-white, cream-coloured. Its hair needs a good brush, to be honest.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: What’s wrong?

Nell: This is worrying.

Me: Why is it worrying? We can’t all have neat hair.

Nell: Is Stanley the only seagull?

Me: There are several Beefies flying around.

Nell: But none with hypnotic eyes?

Me: Not as far as I can see.

Nell: That’s a relief. I thought it might be Ramson Hunter with his nasty sidekick Sven Gully.

Me: The evil ram with the piercing blue eyes?

Nell: Yes.

Me: And the dastardly hypnotising Beefy?

Nell: Yes.

Me: It’s not them.

Nell: How do you know?

Me: It’s an alpaca.

Nell: Why didn’t you say that before?

Me: You didn’t ask me.

Nell: Yes, I did. But alpacas don’t usually have blue eyes.

Me: This one does. Sorry.

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.