Me: I wonder what Harriet is thinking about?
Nell: The sea.
Me: Are you sure?
Nell: It’s always the sea with Harriet.
Me: It might be Jim the Farm Dog.
Nell: I doubt it.
Me: She’s awfully fond of him.
Nell: Trust me. It’s the sea.
Me: You’re probably right.
Nell: Now, I’m afraid we need to give David some difficult news.
Me: Have we run out of bacon?
Nell: No. Tony is on holiday all this week so he won’t be visiting us.
Me: Oh dear. Dave isn’t going to like that. Couldn’t we just not mention it and hope he doesn’t notice?
Nell: Not notice? David lives for visits from Tony. We need to break it to him gently and remind him Tony will be back next week.
Me: Tony’s visits for Dave are like Harriet’s visits to the sea.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Something to long for.
Nell: Moving on, I have something important to discuss with you.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: It concerns The Platinum Jubilee Pudding.
Me: How exciting.
Nell: It’s a trifle.
Me: I love a good trifle.
Nell: You aren’t going to like this one.
Me: Why?
Nell: It’s made with oranges and mandarins.
Me: I’m allergic to oranges.
Nell: Yes, I know but this is the pudding that’s been chosen for The Queen.
Me: The Queen can have it. I’ll have mine without oranges.
Nell: Poppy said you would say that. The thing is, we would all like to try it.
Me: Oh, I see. Well, that’s understandable. I can just watch you all with an empty bowl.
Nell: How about a banana split instead?
Me: I love a banana split. It’s my favourite.
Nell: I was never going to leave you with an empty bowl you know.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
