Nell: I’m afraid David has been squashing people again. He knows it’s wrong.
Me: Oh dear. Look at his guilty face.
Nell: He insisted on climbing onto Shannon’s lap.
Me: He thinks he’s a lapdog.
Nell: He is 45 kilos and he simply doesn’t think things through.
Me: But it’s meant well.
Nell: David and I have discussed Meaning Well several times. It is not an excuse for squashing visitors.
Me: No.
Nell: Now, today is a day of light and shade for you isn’t it?
Me: Yes.
Nell: It is your sister Charlotte’s birthday and we are all having lunch at the Cottage Hotel with your little sister Alex.
Me: I’m looking forward to it.
Nell: So, am I. The views of the coast are simply wonderful and we shall all be together.
Me: Yes. But not for long.
Nell: No, because later you are driving Chris and Shannon to the station.
Me: I know.
Nell: They have to fly back to Toronto.
Me: I’m not looking forward to that.
Nell: No. But if you want people to come back then they have to leave.
Me: Yes. I suppose they do.
Nell: So, try and think of it as a see you again soon and not a farewell.
Me: I’ll try.
Nell: In the meantime Gladys has planned some extraordinary entertainment involving a trapeze.
Me: Oh my goodness.
Nell: The roofers have nearly finished so she wants to make good use of the scaffolding.
Me: Where is Harriet?
Nell: Meditating. She started doing it with Chris and Shannon. Did David just walk past carrying my handbag?
Me: Yes. Gladys seems to be wearing feathers.
Nell: Did he seem awfully tall to you?
Me: Yes.
Nell: He wasn’t on stilts though, was he?
Me: Yes. I’m afraid he was. Sorry.
