Me: I hate saying goodbye.
Nell: I know.
Me: I’m just not very good at it.
Nell: David has been demanding cuddles from Chris all morning.
Me: I thought we decided not to tell him that Chris and Shannon have to leave early.
Nell: We did. He just wants cuddles.
Me: You and Harriet joined in and you aren’t even a cuddly kind of dog.
Nell: Of course I joined in. When somebody is going away you need to have as many cuddles as you can.
Me: Why?
Nell: If you close your eyes and simply remember you can still feel their paws around you.
Me: I must try that.
Nell: Now, David will be distraught this evening when he realises Chris and Shannon have gone so Poppy thinks a spaghetti bolognese is the best idea.
Me: Ok.
Nell: It’s comforting and messy and Jonathan and Faye love it too.
Me: It’s one of my favourites.
Nell: I knew that.
Me: Of course you did.
Nell: Did you know Malcolm and Susan have invited Our Penguin to stay with them at The Nest?
Me: How kind. Have you seen Henry and Horst? Chris wanted to say goodbye.
Nell: They had to answer a distress call over at The Barn.
Me: Is there something wrong with the larger animals?
Nell: Apparently Alejandro had a sudden craving for pickled fish.
Me: Oh no.
Nell: It turned out to be a false alarm. He was just yearning for Peruvian sea fish.
Me: You mean ceviche. It’s raw fish marinated in tiger’s milk.
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. A tiger would never agree to that.
Me: No. It’s a citrus marinade.
Nell: Why mention tigers then? Now, go and give Chris a goodbye hug. He’ll be back as soon as he can.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
