Nell: The weather yesterday was an unexpected bonus, wasn’t it?
Me: You certainly seemed to enjoy our walk by the river.
Nell: I find the grass nice and soft under paw.
Me: Harriet was in and out of the water as usual.
Nell: And David got himself wrapped around a tree trunk.
Me: I know. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. Kev had to climb down to unwind the lead.
Nell: I don’t know why you and Kev shouted at me not to go into the river.
Me: It was deep and fast flowing after all the rain.
Nell: I’m glad I didn’t listen.
Me: And I’m glad you only had a brief paddle.
Nell: I know my limitations.
Me: Talking of limitations, I think all that travelling has completely exhausted Herr Hoffmann.
Nell: Why have you given him the front bedroom with the shiny red coverlet?
Me: He needed to sleep and he’s not the youngest of bears.
Nell: The front bedroom is my quiet place.
Me: I thought you wouldn’t mind. He really was very tired. He fell asleep in his cottage pie.
Nell: He seemed in good spirits at breakfast. Sharing boiled eggs and soldiers with David.
Me: I know it was sweet the way Dave bit the top off his egg for him, wasn’t it?
Nell: I’m not sure David should have eaten it.
Me: It’s an easy mistake to make. Herr Hoffmann found it funny.
Nell: And who dips their paws in the honey?
Me: He’s a bear. You don’t even like honey. You’re a marmalade sort of animal.
Nell: I thought bears liked marmalade.
Me: Only Paddington and his family.
Nell: We’re not expecting more of them, are we?
Me: No. Paddington lives in London with the Browns.
Nell: Why mention him then?
Me: Sorry.
