Me: Are you two girls ignoring my darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy?
Nell: Harriet and I are simply trying to rest.
Me: You don’t have to turn your backs on him. It’s awfully rude.
Nell: He won’t stop singing.
Me: Dave has a lovely voice. Why shouldn’t he sing if that’s what he feels like doing?
Nell: There are only so many times one can listen to ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning’.
Me: Yes. I can imagine that might get on my nerves too. But it is sunny.
Nell: And it’s morning not mornin’. We’re in Devon, not Oklahoma.
Me: Doesn’t he know any others?
Nell: ‘The Surrey with the Fringe on Top’.
Me: I love that one.
Nell: Don’t you dare start singing too.
Me: Do you know why he’s chosen those particular songs?
Nell: He says Lionel King’s cowboy hat inspired him.
Me: Hats can do that. And Lionel King’s was a mighty fine one if I may say so.
Nell: Would you kindly stop the cowboy talk?
Me: Yes siree Bob.
Nell: Who is Bob?
Me: I’ve no idea. I suppose he might be The Surrey if he has a fringe.
Nell: A Surrey is a four wheeled carriage.
Me: Really? I thought it was a long maned horse.
Nell: Good grief. This is worse than David singing.
Me: At least you are back to your normal grumpy self.
Nell: What’s that supposed to mean?
Me: You were strangely nice when Lionel was here.
Nell: I was not.
Me: You were, Nell. We all noticed. Rupert even shook his head at you.
Nell: I was merely giving Lionel the chance to apologise.
Me: If I didn’t know better I would say you were sweet on him.
Nell: Stop talking in an American accent.
Me: Yes ma’am. Sorry.
