Me: Can I ask you a question?
Nell: Of course.
Me: Why are you getting me up so early?
Nell: It’s not good for you to lounge around.
Me: I wasn’t lounging around, I was sleeping until you started moaning.
Nell: It wasn’t moaning. It was my gentle morning call.
Me: It sounded like a bear with a sore throat.
Nell: Would you prefer me to bark in your ear?
Me: No. I would prefer to sleep.
Nell: It’s not happening. There is far too much to be done.
Me: Why?
Nell: November is a tricky month. You think you have time and then suddenly Christmas is upon you.
Me: Can I just point out that after you have had breakfast and wandered around outside you all go back to sleep.
Nell: Of course we do.
Me: But what about me?
Nell: You get yourself a cup of tea and start writing.
Me: Yes. It is my writing time.
Nell: And as the sun comes up, you look around the room at us all sleeping and you feel truly contented.
Me: I suppose I do.
Nell: We are a team. You know that. Now drink your tea and carry on writing.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
