Nell: Poppy doesn’t look 9, does she?
Me: No, she reminds me of one of those doe eyed Hollywood film stars of the past with her new haircut.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Impossibly cute with a hint of fierceness.
Nell: Well, she demanded chilli in her Huevos Rancheros this morning and extra crispy tortillas. Malcolm had to make them twice.
Me: Do we know why she chose a Mexican themed birthday breakfast?
Nell: No, but everyone is expected to wear sombreros, so you had better find yours.
Me: I don’t have one.
Nell: Of course you do. Check in The Cat’s hat box.
Me: I love ‘The Cat in the Hat’. It makes me laugh.
Nell: Don’t let The Cat hear you say that. It takes its hats very seriously.
Me: I was talking about the book.
Nell: Forget books and concentrate on sombreros, please. Poppy cannot be disappointed today.
Me: You three seemed awfully excited when Kev brought her home from the hairdressers. Dave was peering over the gate to see her. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Poppy’s transformation is always an extraordinary sight for us Labradors. Our coats remain the same.
Me: Yes, I suppose they do. Poppy goes from Wild to Contained in an afternoon.
Nell: I’m not sure Poppy will ever be Contained.
Me: No, but her hair is when it’s been cut.
Nell: For a short while.
Me: Yes, the wildness is never very far away when it comes to Poppy.
Nell: Now, how’s your Spanish?
Me: Not very good.
Nell: You’ll have to ask Manuel and Alejandro to translate then.
Me: Why? The whole day isn’t going to be in Spanish, is it?
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. Just this evening’s menu. Poppy is having a Mexican fiesta.
Me: Yes, of course. Sorry.
