Me: Did you like your antlers?
Nell: You only got three.
Me: I didn’t think Poppy would want one.
Nell: Poppy took two so David has none.
Me: It’s the thought that counts.
Nell: Not really. So, how was your book signing?
Me: The Christmas market was lovely and I met some interesting people. Not everyone wanted to buy a book, but that’s life.
Nell: Why not?
Me: I’d rather not say.
Nell: You are definitely going to have to say now.
Me: Well, one lady considered it, and even looked at the photos, but then she closed the book and said, ‘I have a setter’ and smiled and left.
Nell: A setter?
Me: Yes. I think there just must have been too many Labradors for her liking.
Nell: Too many Labradors?
Me: If your friend Dorothy the Salcombe Setter had been on the cover she might have bought it.
Nell: Dorothy couldn’t write a book if she tried.
Me: I know that and you know that.
Nell: I don’t have to fall down a rabbit hole to enjoy ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Me: Well, you sort of do in a way, to be honest. You have to be prepared to wonder.
Nell: Yes, you’re right and some people simply aren’t.
Me: No.
Nell: Talking of wondering, I was wondering if you wanted your second boiled egg.
Me: No, thank you. One is plenty for me.
Nell: I might have it then as David ate mine by mistake.
Me: I hope he doesn’t eat The Queen’s boiled egg when you visit her.
Nell: The Queen won’t be eating boiled eggs in the afternoon.
Me: She might fancy one.
Nell: Boiled eggs are for breakfast, or nursery tea. If you had said scotch eggs, however, I might have agreed.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
