Me: Isn’t Marvin gorgeous?
Nell: Why didn’t you tell me Chris and Shannon were rescuing a puppy?
Me: We were waiting to see if it all went through. He’s from the United States so they drove over to collect him yesterday.
Nell: He’s tiny.
Me: He’s only 9 weeks old. They were 4 days away from losing him.
Nell: But he’s safe now.
Me: Safe and loved.
Nell: David wants to know if he’s still your Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Me: Of course he is.
Nell: Quite. There’s plenty of room in the family.
Me: I wish Shel and Jaime didn’t have to leave.
Nell: You know perfectly well that we’re just one stop on the Sticky Toffee Pudding Tour and they have lots of other friends and family to visit.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Talking of visits, Chris is flying over soon.
Me: Yes, he is.
Nell: And Alice is bringing the children over in October. Their flights are booked.
Me: Yes, it’s so exciting.
Nell: So, shall we address the Great Dane in the corner?
Me: Do you mean the elephant in the room?
Nell: I do not. I want to discuss the subject you’ve been avoiding, not creatures from the jungle.
Me: What subject is that?
Nell: Unwelcome guests.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: In knitted suits.
Me: He feels the cold.
Nell: With winning smiles.
Me: He has a lovely smile.
Nell: Wolves are not supposed to smile. It’s disconcerting.
Me: The thing is. I just couldn’t let Knitwear Wolf eat his cheese sandwich out in the cold and rain. His bread had gone soggy.
Nell: Absolute nonsense. That wolf has been eating fish and chips from the Codfather all week. Freshly caught with mushy peas on the side
Me: Yes. I just wanted to meet him. Sorry.
