Me: Every time I see ducks swimming along I’m reminded of the canal near my late mother’s house. We always used to walk along there and feed the ducks.
Nell: I seem to recall the swans were rather nasty.
Me: They were a little aggressive.
Nell: I was the only animal allowed to visit your mother with you.
Me: Nigel and Boo visited too because they lived nearby.
Nell: I meant the only animal from Oxfordshire.
Me: Yes, you were my companion.
Nell: I still am. Dogs fly on aeroplanes, you know.
Me: Don’t start that again. Anyway, did I tell you Nigel and Boo are coming to stay at the weekend?
Nell: You didn’t, but my friend Dorothy did. She’s hoping to join us for Sunday lunch.
Me: She’s very welcome. People have been suggesting ways of getting you down to the beach.
Nell: Most kind.
Me: Some thought we could put you in a trolley, or adapt a pram.
Nell: I’m not a pile of shopping and I’m definitely not sitting in a pram.
Me: We have Jonathan’s old one here.
Nell: I know. It’s been sitting on top of the wardrobe for years.
Me: It has, but there might be something Kev could do to adapt it.
Nell: I am not sitting in a pram.
Me: I was glad to see you paddling in the river again. I know getting up and down the river bank isn’t easy but you did it.
Nell: You didn’t.
Me: Standing at the top of the bank taking photos of you all is more than enough for me.
Nell: I’m glad we saw those ducks.
Me: So am I. They brought back happy memories.
Nell: You’ll be making more soon when you visit the grandchildren. Without me, however.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
