Me: What’s going on here?
Nell: Some of us are trying to rest.
Me: Dave’s on the bed with his big bowl.
Nell: David is protesting.
Me: What about?
Nell: Reduced rations.
Me: It’s January, we’re all cutting back.
Nell: I’m afraid one dippy egg and a single slice of hot buttered toast is not enough for a growing animal.
Me: He ate a bowl of porridge too.
Nell: Yes, and not even by mistake. Out of necessity.
Me: With honey from Malcolm’s bees.
Nell: You don’t expect a flamingo to be a beekeeper. It is one of life’s surprises.
Me: We seem to have a lot of those. Anyway, don’t change the subject. Dave had two breakfasts and look what you’ve all done to the bed.
Nell: Malcolm says Henry and Horst are an enormous help with the bees. They can talk to them you know.
Me: I didn’t know.
Nell: Beefies are scared of bees, of course. It’s because they won’t take any nonsense.
Me: A bit like you then.
Nell: I shall ignore that remark. Have you thanked everyone yet?
Me: No, I was just about to when I saw Dave.
Nell: The publishers were very impressed with yesterday’s comments. They found them most helpful.
Me: Yes, they did.
Nell: And you were quite overwhelmed with people’s support.
Me: I was, thank you all so much.
Nell: Now, I think on a grey and chilly day like today a nice cup of Earl Grey and some freshly baked shortbread is just what the vet advises.
Me: No, he doesn’t Nell. He said you all need to lose weight.
Nell: Perhaps Kev could light the fire and you and I could do the crossword.
Me: That does sound awfully tempting.
Nell: I knew it would.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
