Me: Good to see the weather has improved for you. We had torrential rain yesterday but today seems brighter and the sun’s peeking through.
Nell: A little sunshine always helps lift the spirits.
Me: Don’t start that again.
Nell: What?
Me: I know you’re about to say that Dave and Harriet wait by the window every day for me to come home.
Nell: If you already know there’s no point in me telling you.
Me: I knew it.
Nell: Actually, they were just enjoying a cuddle in the sunshine.
Me: Oh.
Nell: Your return is marked on the calendar to avoid false expectations.
Me: I see.
Nell: Only three more sleeps to go.
Me: So, you’re counting the days.
Nell: We’re counting the sleeps. Days look after themselves.
Me: Did you say ‘counting sheep’? Are you finding it difficult to sleep without me?
Nell: Why would anyone want to count sheep, apart from llamas, of course?
Me: Llamas?
Nell: They share a field and the sheep to llama ratio needs to be strictly maintained.
Me: I didn’t know there was a sheep to llama ratio.
Nell: Let’s just say llamas are easily overwhelmed. Moving on, today is Andre’s birthday.
Me: Yes.
Nell: I haven’t written a poem as I know he doesn’t like any fuss.
Me: True.
Nell: And I only just wrote one for Faye.
Me: You did.
Nell: And there are only so many poems a Labrador can write in a week.
Me: Absolutely.
Nell: But I’d like you to wish him a very Happy Birthday from us all.
Me: I will.
Nell: Has the bear returned yet?
Me: No, but I’m sure he will. I can’t see Herr Hoffmann missing a birthday.
Nell: But he hasn’t been seen since Tuesday. Take this seriously, please.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
