Me: Today is St. Nicholas Day and it’s ever so important in German speaking countries.
Nell: Tell me about it.
Me: I love the way you’re using Harriet to rest your chin on.
Nell: I’m a little tired and Harriet doesn’t mind.
Me: It’s really sweet. Anyway, yesterday evening Jonathan and Faye cleaned and polished their boots and put them out ready for St. Nicholas.
Nell: Why?
Me: If they’ve been good children they’ll find treats and chocolate stuffed into their boots in the morning.
Nell: And if they haven’t?
Me: Coal, which rather ironically would be quite welcome in times like these.
Nell: Not for children.
Me: No.
Nell: There was nothing in my boots this morning.
Me: We don’t celebrate St. Nicholas and you haven’t got any boots.
Nell: I have an empty bowl.
Me: It’s not the same.
Nell: I licked it clean and so did the others.
Me: I’m sure you’ll find some biscuits in it later.
Nell: Bacon would be better.
Me: Have you been good?
Nell: Of course I have. I’m the role model for all animals in this house.
Me: If you say so.
Nell: I can’t speak for David, however.
Me: My darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy has been awfully good in the main and so has Harriet.
Nell: Then there will have to be bacon sandwiches in our bowls.
Me: What about Poppy?
Nell: I’m afraid there’s a high risk of coal unless St. Nicholas is forgiving.
Me: I think he is.
Nell: I would have shared my sandwich with Poppy if he wasn’t.
Me: You all would. You’re extremely good about sharing.
Nell: That’s why St. Nicholas will make sure there’s bacon in our bowls.
Me: You’re right.
Nell: Go on then. The bacon won’t cook itself.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
