Nell: Now, you have the most dreadful cold.
Me: I know. You’re all looking at me in the most reproachful way.
Nell: You appear to be running a slight fever.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Do not even think of getting out of bed.
Me: How long have the puppies been watching over me?
Nell: Harriet was on night shift and now David is on morning duty.
Me: Harriet’s still here. Doesn’t she need some breakfast?
Nell: She doesn’t want to leave your side.
Me: Bless her. She can share mine. I’m not really hungry.
Nell: David had a quick breakfast before he came upstairs. Just some crispy bacon in a freshly baked roll but enough to keep him going until elevenses.
Me: Are the Hoffmanns already in the kitchen? They must be tired after all that travelling yesterday.
Nell: Herr Hoffmann insisted on baking bread and Frau Hoffmann’s making some chicken soup for your lunch later.
Me: That’s extremely thoughtful of her.
Nell: Yes, she seems a very kind bear. Sensible and practical with a no nonsense attitude.
Me: Like you, except cuddlier.
Nell: Is ‘cuddlier’ a word?
Me: It is. You and I had a cuddle at the station.
Nell: Sometimes cuddles are a necessity.
Me: I agree.
Nell: David is Cuddle Ready but he’s been told not to crowd you as you’re unwell.
Me: He sat on me.
Nell: That animal never listens.
Me: I didn’t mind.
Nell: Did the Beefies wake you, by the way?
Me: Don’t worry. Seagull cries always remind me I’m home.
Nell: The Beefy Choir insisted on celebrating the Hoffmanns.
Me: Was Frau Hoffmann shocked?
Nell: No, she said she was delighted to meet Hartmut’s ‘darlink leetle girls’.
Me: Who’s Hartmut?
Nell: Herr Hoffmann. Hartmut and Hedwig Hoffmann. Do keep up.
Me: Sorry.
