Me: We had rather an eventful time yesterday evening, didn’t we?

Nell: Yes, we did.

Me: First it started raining so we had to move everything inside really quickly.

Nell: It hasn’t rained in over a month.

Me: Then we had a power cut.

Nell: I’m not a fan of reading by candlelight.

Me: No. It’s romantic but a little tiring on the eyes.

Nell: I couldn’t remember where I’d left my reading glasses. Fortunately Harriet found them in my handbag.

Me: Do you remember when Gladys used to sleep in your handbag?

Nell: She still does, now and again.

Me: Talking of Harriet, I’m glad she got her time on the yellow chair.

Nell: Yes.

Me: She’s a funny little thing. She doesn’t like to push herself forward.

Nell: Unlike David and Poppy.

Me: She’s always waiting in the wings.

Nell: Not on the beach.

Me: No, on the beach she’s wild and free. I’m hoping we can go down there tomorrow. I think I’m strong enough to do the walk again.

Nell: You’ll need to take it slowly.

Me: Yes, it’s the steps that are a bit of a challenge.

Nell: I’m glad the internet is back.

Me: Yes, that was down this morning.

Nell: I’ve got an important zoom meeting later.

Me: Have you, indeed?

Nell: It’s only with my Young Animals Mentoring Group, Miss Nosey Parker.

Me: Oh, I see.

Nell: We’ve all been extremely concerned about the wildfires in Canada and Marvin is going to update us.

Me: Chris said he had to wear a mask when he went out.

Nell: Yes, it’s all very worrying.

Me: The climate is changing, Nell.

Nell: Yes. And not in a good way.

Me: No.

Nell: Did David just walk past us carrying my handbag?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: I’m beginning to think you’re right.

Me: It’s not often I hear you say that.

Nell: Enjoy it while you can.

Me: Right about what?

Nell: Maybe it was Delilah Jones who cut Poppy’s hair.

Me: I never said that.

Nell: I haven’t had a close look at the Welsh Corgi Choir recently. They’re all rather similar so Delilah might have come back without us noticing.

Me: I definitely wouldn’t notice because I’ve never met her.

Nell: You have. You just don’t remember.

Me: Anyway, why are we talking about Delilah Jones?

Nell: Poppy’s on the yellow chair with David begging for attention from Kev.

Me: Poppy is?

Nell: Yes. We know David can never have enough cuddles but Poppy isn’t usually like that at all.

Me: First Tony now Kev. Who’s going to be next?

Nell: It’s very worrying,

Me: Is it only Kev, or is she being cuddly with Dave too?

Nell: Everyone cuddles David so it doesn’t really count.

Me: True.

Nell: Have you seen Poppy’s sword recently?

Me: No, I haven’t.

Nell: And she hasn’t been wearing her hat or boots either.

Me: It is summer.

Nell: In fact there hasn’t been much of the pirate about her at all.

Me: No, there hasn’t.

Nell: I’m beginning to wonder if you’re right about Samson O’Reilly too.

Me: Right about what exactly? I don’t know him.

Nell: He used to be rather aloof for an Irish wolfhound and a little bit piratey too.

Me: I wouldn’t know.

Nell: We need to find out if he’s changed.

Me: Why?

Nell: It’s obvious. If Samson’s not piratey and begging for cuddles then Delilah is up to no good.

Me: Only if she was the one who cut his hair.

Nell: You said she did.

Me: Did I? Sorry.

Me: You’re not going to believe this.

Nell: That’s my line.

Me: Not today. Poppy’s outside being stroked by Tony.

Nell: What?

Me: And there’s more.

Nell: Tell me.

Me: She’s really loving it.

Nell: That is strange.

Me: Maybe she’s getting soft in her old age.

Nell: Less of the old age, please. Poppy isn’t 10 until 14th June.

Me: Talking of birthdays, we have an awful lot this month. Poppy on 14th, my sister Charlotte on 17th and Dave and Harriet on 19th.

Nell: Don’t forget your niece Abi on 19th too. This is going to be a very difficult birthday for her losing her mother so recently.

Me: Yes. Alex loved birthdays and she spent days finding the right presents for everyone.

Nell: I know.

Me: Can you believe the puppies will be 6?

Nell: David has certainly matured recently with his new role as Mayor.

Me: Anyway, back to Poppy. She’s been behaving rather oddly recently. All that digging and now being nice to Tony.

Nell: I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t be nice to Tony but I hear what you’re saying.

Me: Is it the loss of her fur?

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Do you think Poppy’s like Samson?

Nell: Samson O’Reilly is an Irish wolfhound. Poppy is nothing like him at all.

Me: I’m talking about the Samson who had his strength in his hair. When Delilah cut it he was powerless.

Nell: We haven’t seen Delilah Jones since she moved back to Wales

Me: I don’t think her surname was Jones.

Nell: She was in the Welsh Corgi Choir and she was a hairdresser but I didn’t know Samson O’Reilly was a client of hers.

Me: Never mind.

Nell: This is a little far fetched even for you.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: David is upstairs trying to fit into Poppy’s bed.

Me: I wonder why.

Nell: He’s the Mayor of Kingsbridge. He can’t be squeezing himself into tiny beds.

Me: He isn’t the mayor though, is he?

Nell: A mayor needs to have presence and flair.

Me: I know you’re ignoring me.

Nell: Nobody wants a shrinking mayor.

Me: It’s a crisis of confidence, This whole mayor thing is causing him unnecessary stress.

Nell: My friend Dorothy said the Whippets Institute are in quite a state about the cake competition.

Me: Why?

Nell: The decision to let David judge has not been universally welcomed.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Word has it that Pamela is deeply offended.

Me: Pamela the Pyrenean Mountain Dog?

Nell: Yes, she judged it last year.

Me: Is her nose out of joint?

Nell: We’re talking cakes here not noses.

Me: Never mind.

Nell: Pamela says she might not even go to the Village Fair.

Me: That’s just cutting off her nose to spite her face.

Nell: You’re talking about noses again.

Me: I can see why Pamela is upset. Could she and Dave judge together?

Nell: It’s a thought.

Me: Maybe Dave doesn’t like being so big. Maybe he wishes he was small like Poppy.

Nell: Well, he isn’t. And Poppy is only small in stature.

Me: I wonder if I would see life differently if I was a tall person.

Nell: That’s something we’ll never know.

Me: Imagine looking down at everything from a lofty height.

Nell: I’m fine as I am, thank you.

Me: Yes. It’s what makes you so wise.

Nell: David would be wise to get out of Poppy’s bed. She likes a short nap after breakfast.

Me: Poor darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. All big and bedless.

Nell: Do stop.

Me: Sorry.

Me: We had a really lovely day yesterday, didn’t we?

Nell: Yes. I must say I enjoyed it enormously.

Me: Kev was determined to get me out and about again as I’ve been feeling rather old and sad recently.

Nell: And he was right. It did you the world of good.

Me: We went to the Cottage Hotel for lunch and I bumped into my writer friend Michael and his wife who are over here from the Netherlands.

Nell: You did.

Me: It was wonderful to actually meet him as we have only ever seen each other on zoom.

Nell: Are they enjoying their visit?

Me: Yes, they’re loving Devon and especially meeting other writers. The weather has been perfect for them too which is an added bonus.

Nell: Do you know it hasn’t rained here since 14th May?

Me: Gosh. That’s a long time.

Nell: Yes, especially with a hosepipe ban.

Me: I hate to say it but we’re in need of some rain.

Nell: We are. Anyway, back to yesterday.

Me: Yes. After lunch we drove to your favourite place by the river.

Nell: I like it there.

Me: And you and Kev climbed down the river bank and waded into the water.

Nell: Kev didn’t go in the water and I wouldn’t call it wading.

Me: You were awfully adventurous. You went right out into the middle. I was quite worried.

Nell: Don’t be silly. I was perfectly safe.

Me: You certainly weren’t going to let your arthritis stop you.

Nell: Of course not.

Me: And then we went to the farm shop and bought some treats.

Nell: Did I see ice cream?

Me: You did.

Nell: Where is it now?

Me: In the freezer for later.

Nell: Sharing is Caring. Don’t forget that.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: We have some good news this morning, don’t we?

Me: Yes. Many of you might remember that my little sister Alex had a sweet curly haired dog called Hattie Button.

Nell: She came to stay with us all when Alex visited us.

Me: She did. Anyway, when Alex died we were all very concerned about Hattie. Alex loved her so much and she loved Alex.

Nell: She did. She spent most of her time on Alex’s lap when she was here.

Me: She found you all a little bit overpowering.

Nell: We were just being friendly.

Me: Anyway, we needed to find her a loving home as soon as we could. She is quite a sensitive girl so we had to find the right fit.

Nell: And the good news is that we did.

Me: Well, Alex’s children did. Her daughter Abi sent me these photos from her new family who say she has settled in really well and loves the companionship of their dog.

Nell: She certainly looks contented.

Me: She does. It’s such a relief. I’ve been very worried about her.

Nell: I know you have.

Me: In fact I don’t mind admitting I had a little cry when I saw the photos from Abi.

Nell: Tears are fine and understandable. And that wasn’t all, we had some more good news, didn’t we?

Me: Yes. I asked you to share the Conversations with Nell page as we were nearing 24,000 followers and the good news is we are now at 24,015 so thank you very much.

Nell: We really appreciate your help so please keep spreading the word.

Me: I hope Alex knows Hattie is safe and happy. She adored that little dog.

Nell: She knows. Trust me. She is watching over you all.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: You’re not going to believe this.

Me: Have we run out of bacon?

Nell: This has nothing to do with bacon

Me: Only Dave usually brings me a bacon sandwich before Sunday Songs and he didn’t today.

Nell: You mean you didn’t get one?

Me: No, I didn’t.

Nell: But I saw him leave the kitchen carrying it.

Me: Oh dear. It’s a simple mistake to make.

Nell: No, it isn’t. He only had to walk up the stairs.

Me: I expect he’s hiding away now feeling all ashamed and guilty. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: David is not hiding at all. He’s fast asleep in the sunshine with a very full tummy ignoring all the chaos around him.

Me: What chaos?

Nell: Poppy is digging an enormous hole under the big bush in the front garden.

Me: What a strange thing to do.

Nell: Yes. Especially on a Sunday.

Me: Because it’s a day of rest?

Nell: No. It’s her busiest day. Sunday roast with all the trimmings doesn’t make itself you know.

Me: Maybe we should just have a salad.

Nell: I beg your pardon? Did you say ‘salad’?

Me: I did.

Nell: On a Sunday?

Me: It’s a very warm day, Nell.

Nell: Sundays are for Singing and Roasts.

Me: I only thought if Poppy is busy gardening she might not have time to prepare a big lunch.

Nell: I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.

Me: Do we know why she’s digging a hole?

Nell: We do not.

Me: I know elephants like to roll in mud. Maybe Poppy wants somewhere to stay cool.

Nell: In case you hadn’t noticed there’s a giant gazebo covering most of our front garden.

Me: True.

Nell: And Poppy is not an elephant.

Me: No. Sorry.

Me: Have you got time for a chat?

Nell: Only a brief one. Saturday Kitchen is starting soon and I’ve promised Malcolm we can watch it together.

Me: Do you think Kev and Dave are planning something?

Nell: What are you talking about?

Me: They were having secret talks under my gazebo.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: No, really. There was leaning in and a lot of smiling.

Nell: It was probably just Boys Talk.

Me: Boys Talk?

Nell: Yes. Boys enjoy conversing too. It’s not only you and I.

Me: Whatever they were talking about it certainly made Kev smile.

Nell: David was probably telling Kev one of his jokes. Boys like to do that.

Me: I didn’t know Dave knew any jokes. It’s more Kev’s kind of thing.

Nell: Since he became the Mayor of Kingsbridge David has been working hard on his public speaking. He’s constantly having to make speeches and people always enjoy a good joke.

Me: Except that Dave isn’t actually the Mayor of Kingsbridge, is he?

Nell: My friend Dorothy said the Whippets Institute have asked him to judge the cake competition at the Village Fair.

Me: I’m not sure that’s wise.

Nell: I think David is the ideal judge. He knows his cakes and he loves eating them.

Me: True, but I’m not sure he knows how to stop.

Nell: He’ll only be given a slice. Not the whole cake.

Me: That’s what you think.

Nell: Anyway, you need to stop imagining intrigue when it isn’t there. Why shouldn’t Kev and David have a little chat? We do it all the time.

Me: But I like to be in on the conversation.

Nell: Well, this time you can’t be. Not all conversations have to revolve around you and me you know.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: You all went crazy when Poppy came home from having her hair cut yesterday.

Nell: We were just pleased to see her.

Me: She had to take some time out on the yellow chair.

Nell: Why is it in the garden?

Me: Kev’s moving things around at the moment.

Nell: He’s also wearing your purple scarf.

Me: He used it to tie some long pieces of wood together and then decided to wear it for some reason.

Nell: It’s too hot for scarves.

Me: It’s an actor thing. I think it rather suits him.

Nell: Poppy’s new haircut definitely suits her.

Me: Yes, and it’s much cooler.

Nell: Yesterday was a difficult day for you.

Me: It was.

Nell: They’re clearing out your little sister’s house.

Me: Yes.

Nell: And they needed to know what you wanted of hers.

Me: How can I decide? Everything is so precious. So many memories.

Nell: Yes.

Me: I just want her back, Nell. This isn’t fair.

Nell: No, it isn’t.

Me: It’s so hard to accept that she’s gone and I’m never going to see her again.

Nell: I know.

Me: She was my little sister. I was supposed to protect her.

Nell: There was nothing you could have done.

Me: I don’t know.

Nell: Well, I do and you have to accept it.

Me: I’m not sure I ever will.

Nell: Just give it time. It’s still very early days.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: We need to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us with cups of Earl Grey.

Me: Yes. I’m very grateful for their kindness.

Nell: I think a cup of Earl Grey’s exactly what we need right now.

Me: Sorry for the tears.

Nell: No need for sorry. You cry as much as you like.

Me: Pinch, punch, first of the month.

Nell: Kindly stop attacking me.

Me: It’s the 1st June.

Nell: Yes, and time to remind everyone to support your writing.

Me: I wish we didn’t have to ask.

Nell: Nonsense. You write a story every day, even when times are really bad. The link is https://www.buymeacoffee.com/saramartin.

Me: Your support really makes a huge difference to our little economy.

Nell: You’ve made me look awfully rotund in that last photo.

Me: It’s just the angle. We were looking out at the activity field together and I wanted to capture it.

Nell: Now, if a Beefy comes to the door with a clipboard and a ‘Support Stephen’ sticker on its head don’t let it in.

Me: I wouldn’t let it in anyway.

Nell: And definitely don’t sign its petition.

Me: I wouldn’t dream of it.

Nell: The llamas did.

Me: What?

Nell: They thought they were signing up for free fish.

Me: The fools.

Nell: That’s what I said. If it had been scones, or bacon, I could have understood but llamas don’t even like fish.

Me: Did they get any?

Nell: Just a smelly old mackerel round the head and a nasty laugh.

Me: I hate it when the Beefies laugh.

Nell: And now they’re all crying in the field.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: David has gone over to give them a cuddle which is incredibly kind of him on so many levels.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: Not only have they signed a petition supporting his rival but they stink of fish which makes cuddling particularly uncomfortable.

Me: You’re like that when you’ve rolled in something.

Nell: Rolled in something?

Me: You think you smell wonderful but you really don’t.

Nell: How dare you criticise my Eau de Nature.

Me: Sorry.