Nell: You’re up early.
Me: Jonathan’s Starting School Ceremony begins at 9am so Chris and I are catching an early train.
Nell: Are you well enough?
Me: I have to be.
Nell: I wrote a poem for Jonathan.
Me: How lovely. Would you read it to me?
Nell: Of course.
‘Now listen very carefully
To what I have to say.
Jonathan Sky starts school today.‘
‘Are you sure?‘
‘Absolutely, Harriet says it is true
Poppy agrees
And so must you.‘
‘What about David?
Will he be there?’
No, David’s in Devon
But I believe that a bear
Called Herr Hoffmann
Is attending
Cos he lives nearby
If Sara can persuade him
As he’s awfully shy.’
Me: I never told you Herr Hoffmann was coming.
Nell: But he is, isn’t he?
Me: He might be.
Nell: May I continue?
Me: Please do.
Nell: ‘Mummy and Papa,
Uncle Chris and Faye
Are making sure Granny
Doesn’t get in the way
By taking too many photos
And writing things down
That people don’t want discussed
All over town.’
Me: I don’t do that.
Nell: My friend Dorothy would disagree.
Me: You told me about her and Naughty Nigel.
Nell: And you told everyone else. Where was I?
Me: Criticising me.
Nell: Oh yes.
‘Let the party begin.
Throw your hats in the air.
Bring in the cake.
Pull up a chair.
This is the start
Of something exciting.
Of learning new skills
Like reading and writing.
And all your new friends
Are just waiting to say
Welcome Jonathan Sky
Have a wonderful day.’
Me: He’s going to love that, Nell.
Nell: Take lots of photos.
Me: You know I will.
Nell: Unlike that bear friend of yours, I shall not be attending the ceremony so photos are all I have.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
