Nell: Why have you posted a photo of long grass?

Me: Look carefully and you’ll find something adorable hiding in there.

Nell: It’s not one of those horrid snakes, is it?

Me: No. It’s Harriet.

Nell: Oh yes. I can see her now.

Me: The lovely thing about our river walk in this hot weather is the shade of the trees and the cool water for you to paddle in and drink.

Nell: Yes. It’s most refreshing. Now, it’s the first of the month so you know what you must do.

Me: Post the link for people to support me.

Nell: Yes. You write a conversation every day, even when you’re not well. It really isn’t too much to ask them for a cup of Earl Grey.

Me: It’s buymeacoffee.com/saramartin.

Nell: There you are.

Me: It makes a huge difference to our little economy so thanks in advance to anyone who is able to support us. It means a lot.

Nell: And a thank you from me, too. Life without my cup of Earl Grey is hard to imagine.

Me: How is Herr Hoffmann, by the way. Has he recovered from the scone incident?

Nell: You won’t believe this.

Me: I might.

Nell: The Beefy Choir lined up in the back garden first thing this morning and sang something sad in German.

Me: German?

Nell: Yes.

Me: With crocodile tears?

Nell: I didn’t notice any crocodiles, but they might have been crying. The noise was awful.

Me: What was the song about?

Nell: Hoffi Marlene, whoever that is.

Me: It’s Lili Marlene.

Nell: I definitely heard Hoffi in there.

Me: The wretched seagulls changed the name. Did it work?

Nell: Let’s just say there are an awful lot of scones in the oven.

Me: He’s fallen for it again. Sorry.