Nell: Why aren’t you downstairs yet? We’ve got things to do and people to see.
Me: You’re different today. What’s happened?
Nell: If you’d been at Morning Thoughts you’d know.
Me: I’m never at Morning Thoughts.
Nell: Perhaps. you should be.
Me: Why?
Nell: Mutley gave us some excellent advice.
Me: About Sven Gully?
Nell: And hats.
Me: Hats?
Nell: Yes. Real hats and symbolic ones.
Me: Tell me more.
Nell: Mutley says when he came up against something that felt insurmountable he’d put on his warrior top hat and give himself a good talking to.
Me: Good idea.
Nell: And as soon as he began to believe in himself the thing he was afraid of began to get smaller and smaller.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: Until it really wasn’t a big thing anymore at all.
Me: I see.
Nell: Poppy said her pirate hat did the same, but she preferred her sword.
Me: Not such a good idea.
Nell: No. But what Mutley is saying is, it doesn’t have to be a warrior hat. It could be a pair of socks, or a particular perfume, or just a colour. It just has to mean something to you.
Me: I think mine might actually be my family. Every time I see a photo of them it gladdens my heart and makes me stronger.
Nell: Yes, It’s Alice and Andre’s 10th wedding anniversary today, isn’t it?
Me: Yes, and my friends and supporters make me strong too. I don’t know how I would have got through these difficult times without you all.
Nell: Exactly. So, what we all have to do now is find our inner warrior through whatever means we can and defeat Sven Gully.
Me: I feel stronger already.
Nell: Of course. It’s your daughter’s wedding anniversary.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
