Nell: Now, you have a few difficult days ahead but we are prepared.
Me: Thank you.
Nell: It’s your mother’s memorial tomorrow and Alice and the children leave on Tuesday.
Me: Yes.
Nell: We will deal with it all as a family.
Me: Thank you.
Nell: We will not let this constant rain get us down.
Me: No.
Nell: We have Wellington boots and we enjoy puddles.
Me: Some of us more than others.
Nell: And everything feels better after a cuddle and one of Poppy’s scones.
Me: True.
Nell: Also Malcolm is back to his old self.
Me: Really?
Nell: Yes. When I entered the kitchen he bowed politely and asked me if I would like my eggs boiled or poached.
Me: How very kind.
Nell: He said he had taken Susan her breakfast on a tray as she has had a difficult time recently.
Me: She must be so relieved.
Nell: He is busy making macarons in tastefully mute colours as we speak.
Me: Well done Mutley.
Nell: Yes, and Henry of course.
Me: Do we know any more about Sven Gully?
Nell: Knitwear Wolf is on the case. Gully expressed interest in a knitted waistcoat and is coming here for a fitting later.
Me: Not here, Nell. We could all be hypnotised.
Nell: Do not worry. The Great Mutliano is poised to retaliate and we shall all wear glasses.
Me: I only need them for reading.
Nell: I’m talking about sunglasses. Do keep up. The waistcoat will obviously be bugged.
Me: Henry?
Nell: No, it’s a job for Horst. There may be a lot of travelling and Henry struggles with heights.
Me: He must find riding on Dave’s back scary then.
Nell: Sometimes one must face one’s fears and do it anyway.
Me: Yes. You’re right. Sorry.