Me: I can’t believe you sent me that photo.
Nell: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Me: You’re all under the kitchen table again.
Nell: It’s where we feel less alone.
Me: And you look so reproachful.
Nell: Do we?
Me: You know you do with your sad eyes and faces.
Nell: I hadn’t noticed.
Me: You’re even letting Dave rest his head on your back in a completely endearing way.
Nell: Am I?
Me: You knew it would make me miss you.
Nell: Moving on, how was your day yesterday and has the bear returned?
Me: My day was absolutely lovely, thank you. Alice and I went shopping for Andre’s birthday in the morning.
Nell: Did you buy anything for anyone else?
Me: I bought a few things for Kev.
Nell: I see.
Me: And then we collected the children and Johnny, Alice and I did a puzzle in the garden.
Nell: While Faye rode around on a giant unicorn?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Someone told me ice cream might have been involved.
Me: Alice’s best friend and her children joined us for an ice cream.
Nell: Dogs like ice cream.
Me: I know.
Nell: I’m not sure about unicorns.
Me: No.
Nell: But Labradors like ice cream a lot.
Me: I see.
Nell: Or any kind of treat.
Me: I’m aware of that.
Nell: Do they have dog treats in Germany?
Me: Of course they do. Why?
Nell: Just wondering. Has the bear come back yet?
Me: Not yet. He should be back by tomorrow at the latest. I can’t see him missing Andre’s birthday.
Nell: No. It’s terrible to miss out and be left behind.
Me: Are you guilt-tripping me again?
Nell: Why would you think that? I was merely making a comment.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
