Me: It’s amazing what a little bit of sunshine and a glimpse of blue sky can do for the spirits.
Nell: It certainly lifts the mood.
Me: You love our walks by the river, don’t you?
Nell: The river has always been my favourite place. Soft grass and cool clear water. What more could one want?
Me: I’m afraid I’m a sea person, Nell. Like Harriet. I was born on an island and I grew up by the sea so it’s in my blood.
Nell: Harriet was born in Oxfordshire.
Me: I know but she was only a few months old when we moved to Devon.
Nell: So was David and he’s not water mad.
Me: Davey just goes with the flow. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: You’re going to have to tell him to stop wearing that crown.
Me: Why? He’s enjoying himself.
Nell: The Beefies have started calling him ‘Your Majesty’.
Me: Really?
Nell: Ever since they formed the Beefy Choir they’ve been behaving strangely.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: They’re almost polite.
Me: That can’t be true. Beefies are the rudest birds I know.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: They pride themselves on their Nastiness.
Nell: Not anymore. They actually bowed at me yesterday.
Me: Are you sure?
Nell: There was nobody else there.
Me: I’m beginning to think Herr Hoffmann might be a Beefy Whisperer.
Nell: He certainly has a way with them.
Me: They don’t even mind being called his ‘Luffly little girls’.
Nell: I’ve told him it’s gulls but he can’t pronounce it properly.
Me: What if they’ve turned over a new leaf?
Nell: Why bring leaves into this?
Me: I mean really changed their ways.
Nell: It’s just a phase.
Me: You think Lionel’s changed.
Nell: That’s different.
Me: No, it isn’t. Sorry.
