Me: It’s really lovely to see Dave running around freely.
Nell: We all enjoyed the activity field.
Me: Freshly mown grass always smells wonderful.
Nell: And it’s soft under paw.
Me: And fun to roll in, according to Harriet.
Nell: Dog and Dash is a good name for an activity field.
Me: Yes, it is. Although for you it could be Ambling Animal.
Nell: There’s nothing wrong with an amble. I still get to where I want to go.
Me: I agree. I’m a bit of an ambler myself, nowadays.
Nell: It was good to see your sister Charlotte yesterday.
Me: Yes. We’re both missing Alex. This time last year she was still with us.
Nell: I know.
Me: I completely forgot it was St. Patrick’s Day yesterday.
Nell: So did I.
Me: Apologies to all our dear Irish readers. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Nell: Dorothy disgraced herself at The Salty Sea Dog by dancing on the tables.
Me: Is that the pub on the estuary?
Nell: Yes. Naughty Nigel led her astray. I believe Guinness was involved. She’s bitterly regretting it now, of course.
Me: Dorothy’s an Irish Setter, Nell. It was her special day.
Nell: Dorothy is one of the Salcombe Setters. She should know better.
Me: Everyone needs to let their hair down now and again. It wasn’t that long ago you were bouncing in pyjamas with a rather handsome wolf.
Nell: Only briefly.
Me: Still. Don’t go judging poor Dorothy. Maybe you could pop round later with some of Herr Hoffmann’s pickled fish? Germans say it’s good for a hangover.
Nell: That’s a dreadful idea. Dorothy can barely manage a cup of sweet tea. What’s she going to do if I arrive on her doorstep with a pickled herring?
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
