Me: My poor darling Harriet.
Nell: Yes. New Year’s Eve wasn’t quite how we planned.
Me: How is she this morning?
Nell: In a little pain but that’s to be expected with a torn ligament.
Me: How did it happen?
Nell: We were in the fields with Kev and David jumped the stream. Harriet was following him and lost her footing. I mean David could enter the Horse of the Year show so it’s not surprising it was too much for her.
Me: Oh dear. It was lucky we were able to reach Tom the vet and he could help.
Nell: Yes. She has her painkillers and Poppy made her a light breakfast of scrambled egg and a little toast. Jim brought flowers early this morning and Mutley is reading to her by the fire.
Me: I’m glad we were still able to have a party.
Nell: Yes. When I told Count Bingo about Harriet he said the party would come to her.
Me: I’ve never seen so many flamingos.
Nell: Gladys thinks that’s why Malcolm and Timothy won. Did you hear the applause? But personally I thought their fandango was a sight to behold and the win was thoroughly deserved.
Me: Timothy’s feather boa was inspired. Nothing can beat Poppy’s Pasa Doble though.
Nell: No. She is in a league of her own. I feel John might have been better as the bullfighter than the cape, though. He is a Doberman after all and Poppy is a small terrier.
Me: True. Has Charlie gone?
Nell: Yes. He and Sally had to get back to London. Some crisis brewing.
Me: I think 2019 is going to be our year, Nell.
Nell: Yes. An important year. The birth of a new grandchild in May, your book, and you turn 60 at the end of this month.
Me: Don’t remind me of that.
Nell: Life goes on and we shall embrace it with all four paws.
Me: I don’t have four paws.
Nell: But I do, and that’s enough paws for the both of us.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
