Nell: We need to have a conversation.

Me: I know Nell. People have been asking after you.

Nell: Not about me. About those puppies.

Me: Dave and Harriet?

Nell: I call him David.

Me: So do I on occasions.

Nell: Have you seen your favourite chair?

Me: I know. They destroyed it but they didn’t mean it.

Nell: Oh well that’s ok then.

Me: Yes.

Nell: As for their manners. Words fail me.

Me: They are puppies. All puppies are wild.

Nell: David licked my bowl.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Uninvited.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Harriet licked my face.

Me: Now that’s sweet.

Nell: Also uninvited.

Me: Do you want me to give them back?
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. They are family.

Me: You are warming to them.

Nell: I wouldn’t say that.

Me: I knew it. You were pleased to see them this morning.

Nell: It was morning. I’m pleased to see you in the morning and early evening too of course.

Me: I thought you were always pleased to see me.

Nell: Breakfast and Dinner. Our time.

Me: Actually you are especially nice to me then.

Nell: This is too easy.

Nell: Why have you put on a photo of those puppies again?

Me: Look at Dave’s face. He looks just like you.

Nell: He does not.

Me: The same disapproving stare.

Nell: Yes. He does that well.

Me: He worships me though Nell.

Nell: He is a puppy.

Me: I know. And so does Harriet. They think I am wonderful.

Nell: Puppies as I said before.

Me: It’s nice to be completely adored. 

Nell: It must be.

Me: And not constantly criticised.

Nell: Who is Dave looking at?

Me: Me of course.

Nell: I see.

Me: Why?

Nell: He’s got that disapproving stare just right.

Me: I know. Just like you.

Nell: Yes.

Me: Oh, I see. Do you think puppies can be disapproving?

Nell: The stare says it all really.

Me: Nell, come and look at them sleeping.

Nell: No, thank you.

Me: But just look at those dear little faces.

Nell: No.

Me: They are adorable.

Nell: That wasn’t what you were saying a few minutes ago.

Me: I know.

Nell: It was more like “You puppies are driving me mad!”

Me: Well, they were but I still love them.

Nell: They need to learn to listen and you just spoil them.

Me: They are only 8 weeks old, Nell. You are very harsh with them.

Nell: They chewed my tail.

Me: Yes, that was naughty.

Nell: They tried to bounce me.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Several times.

Me: I know.

Nell: I checked on them earlier by the way.

Me: You did?

Nell: They are family.

Me: And you love them.

Nell: I’ve told you before. Quit while you’re ahead.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Nell, are you awake?

Nell: No. Let me sleep.

Me: They don’t mean to annoy.

Nell: Our day started at 4am.

Me: I know it did. You went back to bed. 

Nell: Who eats Weetabix at 4am?

Me: They are babies, Nell.

Nell: Monsters.

Me: They are just excited, Nell.

Nell: The small one has a very loud voice.

Me: Harriet does have a lot to say.

Nell: Early mornings are quiet times. That boy is very bouncy.

Me: Dave can be a little boisterous. He looks so much like you, Nell.

Nell: He is handsome.

Me: They are both adorable, aren’t they.

Nell: They are my relatives.

Me: They love you.

Nell: But not at 4am.

Me: It was a bit early for me too you know.

Nell: Who decided to bring them home?

Me: Kev and I did.

Nell: Two puppies.

Me: Yes.

Nell: I warned you.

Me: You did.

Nell: You need to warm the milk for their Weetabix. They are very young.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Nell, can I have a quick word?

Nell: Leave me. I’m trying to rest.

Me: I know but…

Nell: It’s Sunday.

Me: I know it’s Sunday.

Nell: You never respect my day of rest.

Me: It’s just that I have some good news.

Nell: Let me guess. Dave and Harriet aren’t enough you want to have Fluffy now too.

Me: No, although we would have Fluffy if we could. But it is about the puppies.

Nell: Well?

Me: We are taking you with us the next time we visit.

Nell: You are? To my old home? The place of my birth?

Me: Yes. The breeder Eve asked to see you.

Nell: Dear Eve.

Me: But I’m afraid you can’t see the puppies.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: They are too young.

Nell: You are taking me to my home and my relatives and I am not allowed to see them?

Me: But Eve really wants to see you.

Nell: What about the puppies? Do they have no say? Poor little things.

Me: They are fine, Nell.

Nell: Their own beloved aunt.

Me: They don’t know that, Nell.

Nell: They will know. 

Me: Maybe it’s not such a good idea.

Nell: It’s ok. It will be nice to see Eve.

Me: Yes.

Nell: And I might catch a glimpse of the puppies from a distance.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: So near yet so far.

Me: Sorry.