Me: Does Dave understand Poppy isn’t coming back?
Nell: Yes. He and Harriet had a long chat on their walk and then Rupert sat down with him in the evening.
Me: My poor darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. He looks so sad. I wish I could comfort him.
Nell: Poppy says the best thing to do is to keep busy.
Me: Are you still talking to her?
Nell: Yes, and I’m also taking her advice.
Me: A wise decision.
Nell: And so is David.
Me: How?
Nell: In the midst of his sorrow David has decided to do A Very Brave Thing.
Me: What?
Nell: He made breakfast for us all.
Me: I thought Malcolm and Manuel were doing that.
Nell: Poppy was training David as her sous chef.
Me: How was breakfast?
Nell: It had potential.
Me: That’s good, isn’t it?
Nell: Let’s just say David has a long way to go.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: The boiled eggs were hard and the toast was a little burnt but the portions were large.
Me: It’s a start.
Nell: I should also warn you that he’s going to attempt to make Poppy’s scones for tea tomorrow.
Me: Really?
Nell: Poppy wrote her recipes down for him somewhere so we’ve just got to find them.
Me: I put the scone recipe in my book.
Nell: So you did. Well done. I will let David know.
Me: Why tomorrow?
Nell: Alex’s children and Charlotte are coming here for tea after the scattering of her ashes.
Me: Yes, they are.
Nell: David wants Poppy to be there through her scones.
Me: Bless him.
Nell: I’ve told him she’ll definitely be watching over us and guiding him along.
Me: I’d like to think so.
Nell: I know so. She told me.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
