Me: I was very taken with Sasha at lunch yesterday.
Nell: I know you were.
Me: She reminded me so much of my first dog Santa.
Nell: Yes.
Me: Santa was like a mother to my sisters and I when we were growing up. She would take us to the park and let us crawl over her. I still miss her.
Nell: They live on in our hearts.
Me: Yes, they do.
Nell: Sasha is a rescue, of course.
Me: Yes. She was run over in Turkey and abandoned badly injured.
Nell: Fortunately that charity Happy Paws rescued her and brought her over to England. She still limps but she doesn’t make a fuss.
Me: No. She has a sunny disposition like Sally. You can see she is very happy living down here in Devon with her kind owner.
Nell: Yes. I was given a treat, you know.
Me: I do know. An undeserved treat as you barked loudly at that terrier.
Nell: It invaded my personal space.
Me: Sasha is so much like Santa.
Nell: Santa is watching over you. She is a Guardian. I’ve told you this before. When we leave we never really do.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Anyway, let me give you an update on the cafe.
Me: Yes.
Nell: The Cat has agreed to sequin edged tablecloths. They should look like waves.
Me: Good.
Nell: Ron Gilbert and the Australian cattle dogs are on course with the renovations after that little hiccup. They’ve decided to take down a wall to open it up as we need a larger space.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: Gladys has been promoted to site manager. Ron collects her every morning in her pumpkin and she watches over proceedings.
Me: I suppose the pumpkin lid functions as a hard hat, not that it’s needed.
Nell: Have you no thought for Health and Safety? Of course hard hats have to be worn at all times. You can’t use a pumpkin lid. Whatever next?
Me: Yes. Sorry.
