Me: Merry Christmas everyone! Although you and Dave don’t look particularly merry. What’s happened?
Nell: You’d better ask David.
Me: He is looking a little bit guilty.
Nell: There were crumbs in his bed.
Me: Biscuits are awfully crumbly. And so is toast.
Nell: Sausage roll crumbs.
Me: I’m not sure you can be that specific.
Nell: When the sausage rolls went into the refrigerator last night they were in a big bowl ready for today.
Me: I remember.
Nell: And now there are only a few in a small bowl.
Me: I expect Father Christmas was hungry.
Nell: Only if he turned himself into a giant Labrador.
Me: Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Nell: You’re missing the point.
Me: Mistakes happen.
Nell: David transferred them to a small bowl thinking we wouldn’t notice.
Me: That’s actually quite a clever idea.
Nell: Poppy is annoyed. She saw David do it.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: She told us backup sausage rolls are essential with David around. It’s the same with gravy.
Me: So, she’s not cross with him?
Nell: She says he was only being himself.
Me: We might need backup Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes.
Nell: Why can’t that animal exercise a little self control?
Me: Because he wouldn’t be Dave if he did. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. Where’s Harriet?
Nell: In the kitchen with Herr Hoffmann making a new batch of sausage rolls.
Me: She’s always got her brother’s back.
Nell: Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some mistakes, I suppose.
Me: I keep remembering last Christmas when we were together.
Nell: We’ve invited John the Doberman to dinner. We knew he would be missing Poppy. And Charlotte and Scarlett are joining us later.
Me: Alex should be here.
Nell: She is. You just can’t see her.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
