Nell: How many times do I have to tell you to wear socks when you are downstairs writing?
Me: But Kev lit the fire and I’m warm.
Nell: It’s not enough. It’s a cold day.
Me: Where are the puppies?
Nell: In the kitchen Keeping an Eye on Poppy. She is baking shortbread for Hamish. He needs a little taste of home.
Me: Is he staying with us now then?
Nell: Of course he is. We can’t let him wander the cold lanes of Devon without his sporran. Let me warm your legs.
Me: You are very kind.
Nell: You know how much I value the importance of kindness. It is the first thing one should look for in someone and vastly underrated.
Me: I agree.
Nell: And today is World Kindness Day of course.
Me: Knitwear Wolf is awfully kind.
Nell: I agree. You know he spent all day looking for that sporran? To no avail I might add.
Me: I wonder what worldly goods Hamish had in there.
Nell: The usual I expect. Wallet, drivers licence, keys. Maybe an old tissue. They always seem to creep in.
Me: It might just have been a marmalade sandwich. Worldly goods mean different things to different people you know.
Nell: Honestly, I despair of you sometimes I really do. A marmalade sandwich indeed.
Me: You would be surprised.
Nell: I’ll tell you who did surprise me, though.
Me: Who?
Nell: Sally. She’s gone off bacon. Poppy made her a sandwich this morning and she refused it.
Me: But Sally loves bacon.
Nell: Not anymore. David had to eat it for her.
Me: He is such a kind Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Just put some socks on. Rupert brought us all thick angora ones so wear yours, please.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
