Nell: A year ago today you said a final goodbye to your little sister Alex.
Me: Yes. I still find it hard to accept that Panda has gone.
Nell: I’m glad you and Charlotte were able to spend time together.
Me: So many happy memories. So many painful ones, too.
Nell: I think a quiet day is in order. It’s cold and windy outside, so breakfast by the fire sounds a good idea to me.
Me: Maybe.
Nell: David wondered if bacon might help?
Me: I’m not really hungry.
Nell: A nice cup of Earl Grey tea, then. I’ll organise it now.
Me: Thank you.
Nell: Now, in amongst this sorrow, we need to find a pocketful of happiness.
Me: Actually, I do have one.
Nell: Good.
Me: It happened yesterday morning. I was on my way out to the car to go to my gym class when a car pulled over next to me and someone shouted, ‘Sara, is that really you?’
Nell: Was it a whippet?
Me: No. It was a lovely smiley district nurse called Cathy who’s been following my conversations for ages.
Nell: How wonderful.
Me: We had a big hug and she was so happy to meet me. It really brightened my day.
Nell: Well, that is a pocketful of happiness.
Me: It is. In fact it’s still making me smile. I missed out on all the book tours because of Covid so I’m always delighted to meet my readers.
Nell: They’re a very special group of people.
Me: They are. I feel like we’re all one great big family. They’ve been with me through so much.
Nell: They have.
Me: I hope they know how much their kindness and support means to me.
Nell: They know.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
Nell: No sorries. Not today.
