Me: My chair doesn’t belong to me at all anymore, does it?
Nell: It belongs to whoever needs it most. That is the way of the world.
Me: The way of the world?
Nell: Yes.
Me: What nonsense. Harriet and Poppy know I want to sit there.
Nell: They want to sit there, too. In fact, they need to sit there after the latest news.
Me: What’s happened?
Nell: Poppy was due for a haircut but now her groomer tells us she’s closed because haircuts are not essential.
Me: I could have told her that.
Nell: But you didn’t.
Me: I thought she knew. Anyway, I rather like Poppy’s wild hair. It goes with her personality.
Nell: She can’t see.
Me: We could tie it back.
Nell: Tie it back?
Me: Yes. In a little top knot.
Nell: This is Poppy we are talking about here. She doesn’t do top knots.
Me: Well, if necessary, I’ll give it a trim.
Nell. You will certainly not. If anyone is trimming anyone it will be The Cat.
Me: The Cat would never let anyone trim it.
Nell: No. The Cat can cut Poppy’s fringe. It’s very good with scissors.
Me: You know that Poppy will never let The Cat anywhere near her with scissors.
Nell: Then it will have to be Kev.
Me: Why not me?
Nell: How many times have I told you it’s important to recognise your strengths and weaknesses? You wouldn’t ask a llama to sing.
Me: I suppose not.
Nell: You are not practical and Kev is. Poppy trusts him.
Me: You know who should really be doing this?
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Manuel the Octopus. He’s ever so good in the kitchen.
Nell: We are talking about cutting Poppy’s hair not peeling potatoes.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
