Me: Why are you waiting outside the bedroom door with that look on your face?
Nell: You’re writing.
Me: You’re welcome to join me as long as you don’t get all barky with next door’s dogs.
Nell: Barky?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Are we talking about the farm dogs?
Me: Not only them. Any neighbouring dog seems to annoy you.
Nell: If you mean that I sometimes feel the need to raise my voice to remind other dogs of their boundaries then I agree, but I refuse to be silenced.
Me: They’re just innocently walking around their own gardens.
Nell: There’s nothing innocent about it. Ask Poppy. She had a dreadful altercation with an agitated boxer the other day. It was lurking by our fence.
Me: Poppy is even worse than you and as for the Puppies.
Nell: They are going to be 4 on Saturday.
Me: I know. How time flies.
Nell: It’s Sunny’s birthday today.
Me: Yes. I sent her a message. She played you so wonderfully in the audio book. She got your bossiness just right.
Nell: Bossiness? I just like to speak my mind.
Me: You certainly do.
Nell: So, when were you going to tell me about going down to the beach?
Me: I went for a quick swim with Charlotte and Scarlett.
Nell: How was the sea?
Me: Refreshing. Cold at first, but then lovely.
Nell: I remember.
Me: I can’t manage all you dogs on the beach at the moment. As soon as Kev is better we will take you down to the sea again.
Nell: Don’t worry about us. A walk around the orchard is fine.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: It really is. We are all happy to look after Kev while you swim. We’re in this together you know.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
