Me: Happy New Year, dearest Nelly.

Nell: You’re going to tell everyone, aren’t you?

Me: Tell them what?

Nell: You know perfectly well.

Me: All I’m going to do is wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

Nell: Really?

Me: Who kissed whom at midnight is none of anyone’s business.

Nell: I knew it.

Me: Unless it was you and Knitwear Wolf in which case everyone will want to know.

Nell: It was a brief kiss between old friends.

Me: And the cuddling under one blanket?

Nell: It was cold.

Me: You were sitting in front of the fire.

Nell: Fine. I’ll admit there might have been a romantic moment between Rupert and myself. Happy now?

Me: Very.

Nell: Moving on, David says The Cat’s Fancy Dress Ball was a huge success.

Me: By the looks of everyone this morning I would agree. Herr Hoffmann is like a bear with a sore head.

Nell: That’s because he is.

Me: Too much champagne?

Nell: Too little sleep. By rights he should be sleeping all the time in winter.

Me: Is that why you three were hiding under the kitchen table?

Nell: It was the safest place to be.

Me: Well, I’m not at all sorry to say goodbye to 2023.

Nell: Neither am I.

Me: It was an awful year apart from a few highlights.

Nell: It was.

Me: I’m hoping this year will be a better one.

Nell: It will. Trust me.

Me: I think you’re right. I’ve had some good news already.

Nell: Tell me.

Me: Chris is flying over from Toronto soon for a surprise visit.

Nell: Wonderful.

Me: Yes. So, adding that to your new romance with Knitwear Wolf, 2024 has got off to a good start.

Nell: It was just a kiss.

Me: Of course. Sorry.