Me: Where are Dave and Harriet? I haven’t seen them this morning and they usually come upstairs to check on me.
Nell: David and Harriet are downstairs in the living room Pillow Testing with Kev.
Me: Did you say Pillow Testing?
Nell: Yes. David is particularly involved in the research. He has extremely sensitive paws for a large animal and a delicate touch.
Me: Does he? I hadn’t noticed.
Nell: Yes. Finding the right pillow is a complicated process. They need to be soft to the touch but with the right amount of bounce.
Me: I know what you mean but why do we need new pillows?
Nell: We don’t need them. You do.
Me: I do?
Nell: Yes. You’ve been coughing all night and it simply cannot continue.
Me: I can’t help it, Nell. It’s this awful cold. There’s nothing I can do.
Nell: We know that. You need greater support. But don’t worry because the right pillows are going to help you.
Me: Are they?
Nell: Yes. Harriet and Kev are squashing them right now.
Me: Squashing them?
Nell: Yes. They are far too hard at first. You don’t know a lot about pillows, do you?
Me: Not as much as you.
Nell: David is gently poking them to check for consistency. There’s nothing worse than a lumpy pillow.
Me: Well, I’m impressed. I do have one question though.
Nell: Yes.
Me: Aren’t the pillows going to be awfully hairy after all that squashing?
Nell: Hair can be hoovered you know.
Me: Yes, but it’s quite a nuisance.
Nell: Nothing is too much trouble when one is in the pursuit of an ideal pillow. We dogs are experts.
Me: You don’t have to do the hoovering though.
Nell: We can’t do everything.
Me: No. I suppose not. Sorry.
