Me: Harriet’s spying on the stairs.
Nell: I know. Stop drawing attention to her.
Me: Who is she spying on?
Nell: Never you mind.
Me: She can see the front door, the back door and the kitchen from there.
Nell: Yes, she can.
Me: And anyone who goes up or down the stairs.
Nell: Obviously.
Me: If she stays up there too long, animals will notice.
Nell: They already have.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Herr Hoffmann asked if she would prefer her bacon roll served on the stairs.
Me: He’s a kind bear.
Nell: Yes, he is.
Me: What did she say?
Nell: ‘Thank you,’
Me: Enigmatic as always.
Nell: What are you talking about?
Me: Thank you could mean yes, or no. Here in the UK it tends to mean yes, but in Germany, for instance, it means no.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: If you ask a German if they’d like another scone and they say ‘Danke’ don’t give them one.
Nell: I’ll remember that.
Me: There’s never any need to ask Dave. He’ll always have another one.
Nell: Have you quite finished? Sunday Songs is starting in a few minutes.
Me: Harriet can’t take part if she’s still sitting on the stairs.
Nell: She knows.
Me: She could have her lunch up there.
Nell: She could.
Me: Although it’s Sunday, so there’ll be gravy.
Nell: I’m sure she’ll manage.
Me: Did you know Frau Hoffmann put Lionel King on vegetables?
Nell: No.
Me: He’s making cauliflower cheese and he’s prepared all the potatoes, parsnips and carrots.
Nell: I’m starting to think you’re the one spying on the kitchen.
Me: No. I’ve finally got my appetite back and I’m really looking forward to a Sunday roast.
Nell: I see.
Me: Maybe Harriet is simply hungry.
Nell: Stop.
Me: Sorry.
