Nell: What are you doing up so early?
Me: I couldn’t sleep, Nell. Too many thoughts buzzing around my brain.
Nell: I’m afraid Harriet is not her usual happy self either.
Me: She’s probably got a touch of the Mondays. It happens to us all.
Nell: It has nothing to do with Mondays and everything to do with rain.
Me: It hasn’t stopped, has it?
Nell: No. It’s absolutely dreadful.
Me: I hope Gladys and the llamas aren’t thinking about gliding in the field this morning. It’s far too wet.
Nell: No. They’ve moved their fitness class into the barn.
Me: Are the large animals ok with that?
Nell: Not really. Olive the Other Reindeer needs her sleep. It’s a busy time of year.
Me: Talking of busy, how did Manuel’s date with Barbara from Brixham go?
Nell: Not well.
Me: Oh no. What happened?
Nell: Princess happened.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: She decided to applaud everything Barbara said.
Me: It’s a seal thing.
Nell: She wasn’t even supposed to be there.
Me: It was her pool, to be fair.
Nell: The Beefies didn’t help either.
Me: They rarely do.
Nell: Throwing mackerel into the prawn cocktail.
Me: Is that what Manuel made for dinner?
Nell: Yes. Apparently crabs love prawns.
Me: I know they go well together in a seafood platter.
Nell: That’s an extremely insensitive remark.
Me: Yes. I wasn’t thinking.
Nell: I’m not sure there’s going to be a second date.
Me: Oh dear. What a shame.
Nell: I don’t think a crustacean is the right fit for Manuel. He’d be better off with a nice young squid.
Me: Or another octopus?
Nell: Exactly.
Me: Preferably from Barcelona too.
Nell: I think you might be asking too much. Spanish speaking would do.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
