Me: It’s good to see Charlie.
Nell: And you and Faye.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Charlie has been doing a lot of outside thinking recently.
Me: Do you know why?
Nell: He says fresh air helps to blow away dark thoughts.
Me: It does.
Nell: He is slowing down a lot now.
Me: I know.
Nell: It’s like a light going out. He just fades a little more every day.
Me: I wish I could help, Nell, but there is nothing we can do.
Nell: Family is such a support. Seeing photos of you and the children and knowing they will be visiting us soon is a great comfort.
Me: I’m glad.
Nell: David sings to Charlie, most evenings now.
Me: Oh dear. Nothing too loud I hope.
Nell: No, ballads he’s written himself. Gladys performs the occasional contemporary dance but nothing too flamboyant and it makes Charlie smile.
Me: That’s a relief.
Nell: Harriet reads to us in her quiet way. Articles from the newspaper she thinks he would like.
Me: Bless her.
Nell: The Cat usually joins us for Poppy’s homemade biscuits and Malcolm’s macarons.
Me: And Mutley?
Nell: Mutley tells us tales of times gone by. He often falls asleep half way through but nobody minds.
Me: What about you?
Nell: I just enjoy the togetherness of it all and the feeling of Charlie beside me.
Me: He will always be beside you, Nell.
Nell: Yes. I believe he will. Are you thinking of your dear mother?
Me: Yes. We lost her two years ago today.
Nell: I know. But as I told you before, she is watching over you. Love lives on in us all, and now we are celebrating life with the birth of little Faye.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
Nell: No need for sorry. Not today.
