Me: Could you tell Dave it’s just an earache and I’m going to be fine?
Nell: He’s on duty. Let him be.
Me: He’s watching my every move, Nell. Closely.
Nell: That’s his job. You shouldn’t be moving, by the way.
Me: I’m only writing.
Nell: You should be sleeping.
Me: The earache won’t let me sleep.
Nell: The Cat’s right. You need to wear a hat
Me: I’m not putting on one of The Cat’s extravagant hats.
Nell: I’m talking about a warm hat to cover your ears. I’ll ask Rupert for one of his beanies.
Me: You might as well get me a scarf while you’re at it.
Nell: Good idea.
Me: I was joking.
Nell: You need to keep your ears warm. I thought this might happen when we were down on the beach in all that wind.
Me: I was wearing a hat.
Nell: You needed one with ear flaps.
Me: Dave ate my All Concealing Hat.
Nell: He knows and he feels dreadful about it.
Me: It was a mistake. He was young. It happens.
Nell: Have you got a sore throat, too?
Me: It’s not as bad as it was.
Nell: Why didn’t you tell me?
Me: I didn’t want to make a fuss.
Nell: Herr Hoffmann is making chicken soup. He says that’s the best thing for the Weak and Ailing.
Me: I’m not Weak and Ailing.
Nell: I’ll be the judge of that.
Me: It’s just earache.
Nell: Harriet says you groaned in the night and hardly slept. It’s in her notes.
Me: Why is she making notes?
Nell: How can I possibly organise a successful Handover without them?
Me: Handover?
Nell: We’re working shifts.
Me: Shifts?
Nell: Caring for the sick is tiring. Look at David. He’s exhausted.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
