Me: Oh dear. That’s an extremely serious face.
Nell: Yes. Things are going to have to change.
Me: You are right. What things?
Nell: Everything. Starting with this kitchen.
Me: Okay.
Nell: David has been put in charge of afternoon tea.
Me: Surely not.
Nell: I fear the worst.
Me: I think he can make quite a good bacon sandwich. Crusts on, of course.
Nell: Exactly. And what about the baking?
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: My reading group are expecting the full works.
Me: They might be disappointed then.
Nell: As I said to Poppy earlier ‘Life is too short for a dense scone.’
Me: Quite. It’s almost better to have no scones at all.
Nell: No scones is not an option.
Me: Why isn’t Poppy doing afternoon tea?
Nell: She is going sky diving with Babycakes Gillespie.
Me: I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
Nell: I completely agree. If you are going to jump out of a plane, don’t do it when my reading group are coming to tea.
Me: Well, that isn’t exactly what I meant but I can see where you’re coming from.
Nell: We had French patisserie when we went to Dorothy’s last week. Tiny little cakes and mini quiches. Exquisite pastry.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Builders tea and a bacon sandwich is simply not going to do.
Me: No. Probably not. What about Malcolm? Can’t he rustle up a quick macaron?
Nell: Malcolm is up to his feathers in Jambolaya.
Me: I beg your pardon?
Nell: Babycakes is hosting an evening of Louisiana delights and Malcolm is catering.
Me: Surely your reading group tea comes first.
Nell: Apparently not. Babycakes is paying ‘top dollar’, I quote, and we need any income we can get in these trying times.
Me: I suppose we do. Sorry.
