Me: You spent an awful lot of time staring at the sky when we were down on the beach.
Nell: I like to do my thinking by the sea.
Me: There’s something almost spiritual about the way the sun shines through the dark clouds, isn’t there? Like someone is reaching out to you.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Were you talking to Poppy?
Nell: No, I wasn’t. Poppy was busy. She usually talks to me in the mornings before training.
Me: Training?
Nell: Guardians don’t just sit around, you know.
Me: I didn’t.
Nell: Well, not when they’re Poppy.
Me: But we have her sword.
Nell: She’s practising the martial arts now. Swords aren’t needed.
Me: How is she?
Nell: Annoyed. She doesn’t like the idea of Stephen Seagull coming to tea.
Me: Nobody does. Is Dave making scones?
Nell: He’s given Poppy’s recipe to Herr Hoffmann. He says it’s in safer paws with him.
Me: But Poppy wanted Dave to learn how to make her scones.
Nell: I know but they are still far too heavy.
Me: I think a heavy scone is just what Stephen Seagull deserves.
Nell: You might have a point there.
Me: Might I?
Nell: Yes, Maybe David should be the one making the scones.
Me: He could put salt in the jam, instead of sugar, and serve them with sour cream.
Nell: Hold on a moment, please. We are talking about afternoon tea here. Some things cannot be changed.
Me: It was just an idea.
Nell: Although we could make him his own tea, I suppose. On a separate plate.
Me: Brilliant. With soggy sandwiches and stale cake.
Nell: Poppy’s going to love this idea.
Me: Could I tell her?
Nell: She already knows. She’s watching over you all the time.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
