Me: Why are you three under the kitchen table?
Nell: Faye is five today and only That Bear has been invited to the party.
Me: Don’t call Herr Hoffman ‘That Bear’. He made the cake.
Nell: We wanted to be there.
Me: Faye’s coming to visit us in August and then we’ll party all over again.
Nell: I suppose that’s acceptable.
Me: Good.
Nell: I’ve written a poem for her. Would you like to hear it?
Me: Very much.
Nell: Ready?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Then I shall begin:
‘What was that?
What did you say?
Fayely Hildebrandt is 5 today?
Well, bless my soul
Are you quite sure?
Cos yesterday she was only 4.’
‘Of course I’m sure
You silly sausage.
5 comes after 4,
Now pass me an orange.’
‘Will there be cake?’
‘Yes, baked by a bear,
Now get off the table
And onto a chair.
Standing on tables
Is simply not done.’
‘Why not?
I think it’s tremendous fun.’
‘Tables are places
For people to eat.
Not spaces
For animals with cream on their feet.’
‘Just relax and be happy
There’s no need to fuss
Today’s about Fayely
And Family and Us.
And Us is a wonderful place to be
With Johnny and Papa and darling Mummy.
Even Granny is here
And Herr Hoffmann too
So let’s hear it for Fayely
Happy Birthday to you.’
Me: That’s lovely, Nell. Thank you.
Nell: My pleasure. What’s happening today?
Me: Faye’s a ‘Mittagskind’ at Kindergarten which means ‘midday girl’ and can be collected at 12pm and Johnny’s coming home early from school so we will be partying after that.
Nell: It looks like That Bear has already started.
Me: He’s allowed to wear a party hat.
Nell: Make sure Faye knows we’re thinking of her.
Me: I will. Sorry.
