Me: Dave and Harriet are 9 months today!
Nell: Yes.
Me: Why are they on my bed?
Nell: They have been sent upstairs to rest and think.
Me: About what?
Nell: Their wild behaviour this morning.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: David jumped down four steps at once in the snow and ice. Risking life and limb. Especially limb.
Me: Why?
Nell: Harriet was chasing him.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: I warned them about it. They dashed inside sniffing into me and scattering snow everywhere.
Me: It’s just high spirits, Nell. They are missing the sea but we can’t get down there at the moment as the roads are too icy.
Nell: We are all missing the sea but we don’t all behave like hooligans.
Me: Dave looks ever so sorry.
Nell: David is a master of looking sorry. He gets a lot of practice.
Me: Harriet has fallen asleep. Bless her.
Nell: I am only trying to keep them safe.
Me: I know.
Nell: Did you just take chicken upstairs to them?
Me: Not really.
Nell: You did.
Me: They are 9 months today and they look so adorable.
Nell: Chicken is for downstairs. Later. How are they supposed to learn?
Me: Sorry.
