Me: What beautiful photos, Nell.
Nell: Yes. I thought you would like them.
Me: Our favourite beach.
Nell: Yes. It’s waiting for you.
Me: Yes. How is everyone?
Nell: In one word. Overexcited.
Me: Bless them.
Nell: David had three dippy eggs with soldiers for breakfast and ate Harriet’s second egg by mistake.
Me: It’s easily done.
Nell: Harriet was annoyed and refused to pass the marmalade so he had to have plain buttered toast.
Me: My poor Big Brave Beautiful Boy. He loves his marmalade.
Nell: When the puppies are like this the only solution is Keeping Busy.
Me: Yes.
Nell: So I’ve sent David to collect wood for the fire and Harriet is helping The Cat with the Christmas decorations.
Me: Good idea. Has Knitwear Wolf delivered the Sunday papers yet?
Nell: Yes. He’s wearing a delightful Aran sweater today knitted by a rather enterprising Irish Wolfhound.
Me: I didn’t know they could knit.
Nell: Are you speaking for all Irish Wolfhounds now?
Me: No. It’s just that they are such big animals.
Nell: Alejandro is a big animal but he is extremely light on his hooves. You should have seen he and Gladys dancing to ‘Feliz Navidad’ yesterday. It was remarkable.
Me: I can only imagine.
Nell: Anyway Rory is a skilled knitter. In fact I’ve asked him to knit Charlie a sweater for Christmas.
Me: How is Charlie?
Nell: He is doing extremely well. They didn’t think he would last until Christmas and here he is still enjoying life.
Me: That makes me happy.
Nell: Do you know what makes me happy?
Me: Earl Grey?
Nell: No. Kev and I will be collecting you from the station this afternoon.
Me: You’ve really missed me.
Nell: Just get yourself packed and on that train.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
