Me: Lovely photos.
Nell: Where is your hat?
Me: I’m in my pyjamas, Nell. I haven’t even showered yet.
Nell: The puppies are three today. Hats must be worn at all times. The llamas are wearing sombreros and they’re in pyjamas.
Me: They can carry it off. Does Poppy need any help?
Nell: I would steer clear of the kitchen if I were you.
Me: Why?
Nell: There’s been an incident with a missing bacon sandwich.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: David said it was a genuine mistake and he hadn’t realised he was eating Harriet’s until it was gone.
Me: My Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Poppy is furious so they’ve escaped to The Barn. The larger animals have organised a birthday table tennis competition.
Me: The Cat’s bound to win.
Nell: I blame the sequinned bats.
Me: Anyway, I’ve written a poem because I know you’ve been busy.
Nell: Oh dear. Go on then.
Me: ‘What did you say? How can that be?
David and Harriet have just turned three?
Those dear little puppies are now fully grown?
Wasn’t it yesterday we brought them home?
We’ll need lots of bacon and pieces of cake
Because David is bound to eat some by mistake.
And music and dancing for Harriet and Jim
Despite social distancing she’ll want to see him.
And David and Sally will just have to zoom
Because she’s up in London and he’s stuck at hoom.’
Nell: Hoom? You’re not Scottish.
Me: I was stuck.
Nell: Go on then.
Me: ‘So Happy Birthday dear puppies
From all of us here
We want you to know
We hold you so dear.
Mutley is watching you both from above
So please know you are safe
And surrounded by love.’
Nell: Fine. But hoom? Really?
Me: Yes, I know. Sorry.
