Nell: If I was an animal who allowed bad weather to get me down I would be very down indeed.
Me: Lucky you aren’t that kind of animal then.
Nell: Yes. The llamas are dreadfully depressed. They are usually in short pyjamas by now.
Me: I know. Look at the first photo. That’s what it’s meant to look like. It’s the end of May.
Nell: Everything is a little out of sorts at the moment. Even Princess was wearing a sou’wester yesterday and she’s a seal.
Me: How is Oliver coping?
Nell: He’s a plucky little thing. Doesn’t complain about the rain at all. He’s even got used to Poppy.
Me: Good.
Nell: Follows her around everywhere she goes.
Me: Like a lost puppy?
Nell: A puppy would never be lost here. The mere idea.
Me: It’s just a saying, Nell.
Nell: It’s a bad one. By the way, we have a lot of birthdays coming up next month. Poppy will be 8, the puppies will be 4 and your sister Charlotte will be an age we shall not disclose.
Me: But first Rainbow will be 2 on Friday.
Nell: Rainbow?
Me: My granddaughter Faye Raine.
Nell: Oh you mean Fayely Whaley. Stop giving her names.
Me: That’s what you just did.
Nell: Everybody calls her Fayely Whaley. Do keep up.
Me: Something very odd is going on in the upper garden.
Nell: What are you talking about?
Me: Knitwear Wolf has climbed up a tree with Poppy’s sword.
Nell: It’s a saw, not a sword. He’s making Oliver a tree house.
Me: How lovely.
Nell: Oliver is happiest in a tree. So, Rupert is making sure he is safe and warm.
Me: What a kind wolf he is. I still think that’s Poppy’s sword.
Nell: Put your glasses on.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
