Me: Nell, have you got a moment?

Nell: Quiet! Kev is reading to us.

Me: A fairy story?

Nell: Don’t be silly. It’s the weather report from the Met Office.

Me: No wonder Dave and Harriet are asleep.

Nell: They are resting their eyes.

Me: They are snoring, Nell.

Nell: We find the weather report very soothing.

Me: Nobody else does.

Nell: I was chatting to Olivia next door just now about the consistency of snow.

Me: You were?

Nell: Yes, powdery snow is not good for snowballs.

Me: Oh.

Nell: We were wondering about going sledging later.

Me: Now you are winding me up.

Nell: Fortunately the farmer has secured the trampoline.

Me: You’re not thinking of trampolining are you?

Nell: Dont be ridiculous. I worry about you sometimes. Who on earth is going to trampoline in the snow?

Me: But I thought…after the snowballing and the sledging.

Nell: The strong wind could have blown it away.

Me: Oh, I see.

Nell: I despair of you sometimes I really do.

Me: Sorry.

Nell: That’s Maisie my sister and my niece Mist.

Me: Yes, Dave and Harriet’s mother and sister.

Nell: Why are they on here?

Me: They were missing, Nell but now they’ve been found.

Nell: I know.

Me: I was so worried about them. I hardly slept.

Nell: Yes. We were all concerned. I kept it from David and Harriet at first but now they have been found I will tell them what happened.

Me: Are you sure?

Nell: Yes. They need to learn. I am disappointed in Maisie. She knows better. Running away and putting your puppy’s life in danger. Reckless behaviour and not the way our mother Fleur brought us up.

Me: Very naughty. But they are safe now.

Nell: Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers. People shared their story and that’s how they were found.

Me: Yes.

Nell: I shall make sure David and Harriet know I would never put them in danger like that.

Me: Yes.

Nell: But if they ever did get lost they should know that a whole community will be out there looking for them.

Me: Yes.

Nell: And we would find them.

Me: We would.

Nell: So, any chance of a few treats for us then?

Me: You weren’t lost Nell, and Harriet is still on probation.

Nell: I don’t believe you. Her mother and sister were lost. It’s the least you can do.

Me: Sorry.