Me: Were you playing Cheeky Animals with Kev?
Nell: Certainly not.
Me: I saw you stick your tongue out.
Nell: That was to show him how annoyed I am.
Me: Really?
Nell: Yes. He’s refusing to apologise or show any sign of remorse.
Me: I know. If I try and ask him to explain himself he just taps his nose. It’s so annoying.
Nell: I agree.
Me: I thought he was busy painting the upstairs bedroom. What was he doing chatting to you?
Nell: He needed to answer a few urgent emails.
Me: I hope he isn’t ordering any more stuffed animals.
Nell: Who knows?
Me: And why on earth has he started speaking French?
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: I caught him talking on the phone to someone in French. I didn’t even know he could speak it.
Nell: Are you sure it was French?
Me: Yes.
Nell: It definitely wasn’t Swedish?
Me: No, I can tell the difference.
Nell: Does Sally know about this?
Me: I don’t know. She seems extraordinarily relaxed about it all.
Nell: Yes, I noticed that too. She told David not to worry.
Me: He is an awful worrier. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Kev told me not to worry about my pearls, or Mutley’s cufflinks, by the way.
Me: Did he?
Nell: Yes. He said they were somewhere safe and tapped his nose.
Me: I wish he’d stop doing that.
Nell: I have to say Lionel King has been a great comfort.
Me: He’s probably gloating.
Nell: No, he reminded me that anyone can slip up and it doesn’t have to mean they are bad.
Me: He was talking about himself and he is bad.
Nell: Not this time. I’m afraid Kev is the one who’s slipped up.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
