Me: Canterbury Bears just sent me some photos.

Nell: Let me see.

Me: Isn’t the Cuddle Nell absolutely gorgeous? I can’t wait to hold her in my hands.

Nell: She is rather endearing.

Me: You must be truly honoured that Canterbury Bears have chosen to make you.

Nell: I am rather flattered.

Me: I’ve always dreamt of that happening, but never thought it would.

Nell: Well, sometimes dreams come true.

Me: Just think, soon people will be cuddling Nells all over the world.

Nell: That’s rather an odd thought.

Me: Only because you aren’t actually cuddly in real life. Dave would love it.

Nell: David is still struggling with not being made into a toy.

Me: Poor Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: But fortunately he has his book to keep him busy.

Me: Canterbury Bears might decide to make a Dave and a Harriet. You never know.

Nell: They might.

Me: Kev’s working on the structure of the book with Dave.

Nell: I know.

Me: They’ve been busy choosing recipes.

Nell: David’s insisting on a chapter on Snacks.

Me: You’re not supposed to snack.

Nell: Isn’t David’s book all about Not Doing What You’re Supposed To Do?

Me: I suppose it is.

Nell: Well, then let him have Snacks.

Me: Isn’t it a wonderful thought that all the way over in Kent people are busy making Nells?

Nell: Yes.

Me: Do you know they actually brush the hair of each animal by hand before it leaves the workshop?

Nell: Don’t even think of doing that to me.

Me: But you’re getting a little tufty.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: I just need to pull the tufty bits out.

Nell: You’re going nowhere near me. Thank you very much. The sooner the Cuddle Nell arrives the better.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: I think Dave might be a tiny little bit jealous of Naughty Nigel.

Nell: Why do you say that?

Me: When Nigel was staying over, Dave watched him closely and not in a Cheeky Animal way.

Nell: He heard Kev say ‘Hello Buddy, how’s my boy then?’

Me: And?

Nell: And David is Kev’s Boy. Not Nigel.

Me: Dave knows nobody else could ever be our Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: You wouldn’t like it if Kev called someone else His Girl.

Me: Neither would you.

Nell: Fair point.

Me: Or Harriet.

Nell: Alright.

Me: Or Alice, or Faye.

Nell: I see what you mean. We need to share.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Just because someone else is loved, doesn’t mean you’re not.

Me: Exactly. There’s plenty of love to go around.

Nell: Conversations, however, are with me.

Me: What?

Nell: Just saying.

Me: They’re always with you.

Nell: David says you’re considering a conversation with him.

Me: Only for his book, Nell.

Nell: Next it will be Conversations with Everyone.

Me: No, it won’t.

Nell: I know you had Conversations with Canada.

Me: About the animation series.

Nell: And Conversations with Canterbury Bears.

Me: About the Cuddle Nells. They’re going to send me a link where people can register their interest in buying one.

Nell: How exciting.

Me: The Nells are very special and take a long time to make as it is all done by hand here in the United Kingdom.

Nell: Not in China, like most things.

Me: No. It’s all happening here. And we want to get it just right.

Nell: It’s funny to think of people having their own Nell.

Me: It’s absolutely wonderful as long as the real Nell is here with me.

Nell: Always, but don’t forget Caring is Sharing.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: It might be rainy outside, but for me the sun is shining.

Nell: You’d better say why.

Me: Chris and Shannon are engaged and getting married next August.

Nell: Wonderful news.

Me: I couldn’t be happier.

Nell: Marvin will be pleased.

Me: Yes I can’t wait to meet him.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: The wedding’s in Toronto so I’ll be flying over.

Nell: What about me? Chris is my boy, too.

Me: You can’t fly to Canada for a week, Nell. That would be far too disruptive. Kev is going to stay behind with you all.

Nell: I hope there’s going to be a video link.

Me: Listen to you. Mrs Technology. I’m not sure, but I will definitely take lots of photos.

Nell: As long as Chris and Shannon know I would be there if I could.

Me: They do.

Nell: Well, I’m glad you had some good news because the house viewing didn’t even happen.

Me: I know. It’s all very frustrating.

Nell: Try not to worry. Someone will want it.

Me: I hope so. We’re running out of time. I never thought it would take this long.

Nell: Nobody did. Now, David wants you to know that at today’s Sunday roast he will be eating by mistake for research purposes. Just in case you think he’s greedy.

Me: He is greedy.

Nell: Sunday Songs is dedicated to love and romance. After Chris and Shannon’s news the Welsh Corgi Choir thought that would be fitting.

Me: Is that why the llamas are waltzing?

Nell: Yes. They wanted to tango, but I said that was most inappropriate for a Sunday morning.

Me: Llamas are from South America. It’s probably in their blood.

Nell: Our llamas are Devon born and bred. You know that.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: You’re rather bossy this morning. Barking orders from the yellow chair.

Nell: You said there might be a viewing at lunchtime. I need to get everyone up and doing.

Me: The estate agents haven’t confirmed it yet.

Nell: Well, they’d better confirm it soon, or we’ll never get the house ready in time.

Me: I know.

Nell: There are animals everywhere.

Me: Nothing new there.

Nell: Did anyone say the llamas could join us for breakfast?

Me: It’s Saturday, Nell. We always have a shared breakfast.

Nell: I’m not sharing my bacon sandwich.

Me: Llamas are vegetarians. They’re having muesli.

Nell: Have you agreed to help David with his book?

Me: Of course I have.

Nell: That’s a relief, because he’ll never manage it on his own.

Me: Maybe the llamas can help with the vegetarian section?

Nell: I think not. Llamas aren’t skilled at making conversation. They prefer to keep active.

Me: Do they?

Nell: And if challenged they just fall over.

Me: Why would anyone challenge a llama?

Nell: Excessive cartwheeling can annoy even the most tolerant of animals.

Me: Meaning you.

Nell: Moving on, Nigel’s staying over tonight with Charlotte.

Me: Yes, I know.

Nell: Are they aware of the viewing?

Me: Why?

Nell: We don’t want them finding themselves having to show strangers around the house.

Me: Why would they do that?

Nell: It happened to my friend Dorothy. She was visiting Pamela the Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

Me: The one who talked about your weight?

Nell: Never mind that. Pamela was selling her house and Dorothy found herself showing a family of Afghans around.

Me: How?

Nell: Pamela went shopping and forgot.

Me: Where were the estate agents?

Nell: That’s not the point. We don’t want Naughty Nigel showing prospective buyers around.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: David wants a word with you about his book.

Me: What’s he reading?

Nell: He’s not reading. He’s writing.

Me: Dave is writing a book?

Nell: He’s been working on it for ages.

Me: Has he?

Nell: You must have noticed.

Me: I noticed him eating my vegetable pasta yesterday evening.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: He said it was by mistake.

Nell: It was a deliberate mistake. He’s doing it for the book.

Me: What book?

Nell: His book. ‘Some Meals I Ate By Mistake’ by Dave Martin.

Me: Is it real?

Nell: Of course it’s real. Hours of research have gone into it.

Me: You mean hours of eating.

Nell: According to David, Eating By Mistake is a risky business.

Me: I thought Harriet was going to wallop him when he ate her boiled egg.

Nell: He’s had to eat a few really unpleasant things to make sure they’re tasty enough for his book.

Me: Like what?

Nell: Lettuce and bananas.

Me: They don’t go together, Nell.

Nell: He knows.

Me: When’s the book coming out?

Nell: That’s where you come in.

Me: I do?

Nell: David’s done all the work. He just needs someone to write it down.

Me: And that’s me?

Nell: You’re the obvious choice.

Me: Why?

Nell: You’re always writing. David will tell you what he wants to say.

Me: That’s kind of him.

Nell: And Herr Hoffmann has agreed to recreate the meals for you both.

Me: Am I eating by mistake, too?

Nell: No. You’ll start eating and then David will take over.

Me: Like yesterday evening?

Nell: Yes. Vegetable Pasta is one of the recipes. Would you like to see the front cover?

Me: There’s a front cover?

Nell: You can’t have a book without a cover.

Me: Of course not. Sorry.

Me: I love the way Dave keeps an eye on you and Harriet.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: When we were walking by the river you decided to stay on the river bank so he checked you were fine.

Nell: Yes.

Me: And when Harriet went for a swim he watched out for her.

Nell: David is an extremely caring animal.

Me: He’s the Big Brave Beautiful Boy of the family.

Nell: He’s certainly the only boy.

Me: I don’t think he’ll ever be a man.

Nell: Of course not. He’s a Labrador.

Me: He’s the Peter Pan of dogs.

Nell: Well, I’m not Wendy and Harriet isn’t Tinkerbell.

Me: Harriet’s more of a Wendy and you have Tink’s temper.

Nell: Enough. Now, Owl Pacino flew in last night to say we should expect torrential rain today.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: The llamas can’t be left in the field so they’re joining the larger animals in The Barn.

Me: Good.

Nell: And Babycakes Gillespie has parked his coffee cart in Kev’s garage.

Me: He’s not going to get many customers over there.

Nell: He’s not selling coffee today. He’s having an American breakfast with the Hoffmanns.

Me: Pancakes with maple syrup and fried eggs with crispy bacon?

Nell: Yes.

Me: And limitless coffee?

Nell: Of course.

Me: Can I have my eggs sunny side up?

Nell: Are you invited?

Me: I live here.

Nell: Did you book?

Me: I didn’t know I had to book.

Nell: I suppose we might be able to fit you in after the first sitting has had its fill.

Me: Is Dave in the first sitting?

Nell: He is.

Me: Forget it then.

Nell: Actually he’s saving a seat for you.

Me: Really?

Nell: Did you think we’d forget you?

Me: I did. Sorry.

Me: Why are you and Dave taking it in turns to give me a hard stare?

Nell: You know why.

Me: Harriet isn’t giving me a hard stare.

Nell: Of course, she isn’t. Why would she?

Me: Is it because I’m sharing Derek’s beautiful drawing of Harriet by the window?

Nell: The Conversations are with Nell.

Me: I was only allowed to share one image. There are lots and lots of drawings of you, and Dave.

Nell: You’d better tell everyone what’s going on.

Me: Yesterday, Kev and I had a meeting with the Canadians about the animation of Conversations with Nell.

Nell: I should have been included.

Me: You were asleep on the yellow chair.

Nell: Just saying.

Me: Derek Moorhouse, the artist and illustrator, was there. He’s been working on the drawings for months.

Nell: That is exciting.

Me: They’re amazing, Nell. We all absolutely loved them.

Nell: I should have been there.

Me: You should, but I have them here, and I’m allowed to show you all of them.

Nell: That’s something, I suppose.

Me: It’s all finally coming together.

Nell: I thought we didn’t have the funds yet.

Me: Shel and Theresa managed to secure further funding over in Canada so we can go ahead.

Nell: That’s wonderful.

Me: Seeing Derek’s drawings of us in Devon made me realise this dream is finally coming true.

Nell: I’m so glad.

Me: I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of you who donated to the animation fund.

Nell: Yes, thank you.

Me: We’re on this journey together and I’m going to share as much as I can with you every step of the way.

Nell: Good, and you can start with me. Where are the drawings? I need to see them now.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: I know you’re watching me. I can feel your eyes.

Nell: I’m just doing my job.

Me: There’s no need to worry. I’ll bounce back soon.

Nell: Bouncing is not required. A smile will do.

Me: There.

Nell: Never do that again.

Me: I was smiling.

Nell: You looked like David after he tasted a lemon.

Me: Dave definitely doesn’t like lemons. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: The Cat loves a squeeze of lemon on smoked salmon, or a slice in a G and T.

Me: The Cat enjoys the finer things in life.

Nell: It’s started wearing silk pyjamas.

Me: Really?

Nell: And now the llamas want them, too.

Me: I’m not sure silk pyjamas are suitable for outside.

Nell: Exactly. Plain cotton is fine.

Me: Not in the rain.

Nell: They have raincoats and umbrellas.

Me: They’re better off going commando.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Wearing nothing.

Nell: I know what it means.

Me: Outside animals don’t really need clothes.

Nell: Are you telling me that the Welsh Corgi Choir are no longer allowed to dress up for Sunday Songs?

Me: Of course not.

Nell: Or that Rupert should stop wearing cardigans?

Me: Goodness me, no. Knitwear Wolf without his cardigan is inconceivable.

Nell: Quite.

Me: They’ll definitely need dressing gowns soon.

Nell: Who will?

Me: The llamas. Autumn is here and the nights are drawing in.

Nell: It’s the 3rd September. Summer has only just said goodbye.

Me: Like Alice.

Nell: Did she arrive safely in Brighton?

Me: Yes. The hotel is lovely and only a few minutes from the sea.

Nell: Good. When is her presentation?

Me: Thursday morning.

Nell: Excellent.

Me: It’s just odd knowing she’s still in the UK but not here with me.

Nell: I understand.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Today is a difficult day.

Me: It is.

Nell: Saying goodbye is never easy. And it shouldn’t be.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: You’ve made so many happy memories together over the past few days.

Me: We have.

Nell: And they will stay with you until you see her again.

Me: I need to win the lottery, Nell.

Nell: That’s never going to happen.

Me: If I had the money I could fly over and visit them a few times a year.

Nell: Maybe things will change.

Me: Maybe. Talking of money, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of you who bought me cups of Earl Grey. It’s so kind of you and is appreciated more than you could ever imagine.

Nell: I can vouch for that. What time are you leaving for the station?

Me: In a few hours. The conference in Brighton doesn’t start until tomorrow so there’s no rush.

Nell: I’ve never been to Brighton.

Me: It’s a vibrant place. Alice will love it there.

Nell: I’m sure she will. When does she fly back to Berlin?

Me: On Friday. The children are going to be so excited to have her home.

Nell: They are. September is Jonathan Sky’s birthday month, isn’t it?

Me: Yes, He’ll be 8 on the 19th.

Nell: My, how time flies.

Me: It seems to fly even faster when you’re older.

Nell: I know what you mean.

Me: The next time I see Alice we will be living somewhere else.

Nell: Wherever it is, it will still be home and that’s all that matters.

Me: Yes.

Nell: We can do this. Together.

Me: We can.

Nell: We’ll all be waiting for you when you get back and tears are fine.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries. Not today.

Me: You know the reason why we go to the Activity Field is for you dogs to run around and let off steam?

Nell: Let off what?

Me: It’s a saying, probably to do with trains.

Nell: Why bring trains into this?

Me: Anyway, you seem to do a lot of sitting.

Nell: I pace myself.

Me: You’re right to do that.

Nell: I know I am.

Me: I wish it would stop raining. It’s Alice’s last day.

Nell: It will. In the meantime rain is a good excuse for an excellent breakfast.

Me: Dave never needs an excuse.

Nell: The Welsh Corgi Choir have wet weather ponchos and wellington boots but I think Sunday Songs might have to transfer to The Barn.

Me: I agree. It’s miserable out there.

Nell: It’s not only the weather though, is it? You’re miserable because you might not see Alice for a year.

Me: I am.

Nell: You need cheering up.

Me: I do.

Nell: Fortunately for you it’s the 1st of the month and the chance for everyone to show you their support.

Me: You’re going to ask me to post the link to the website, aren’t you?

Nell: No. I’m doing it. It’s buymeacoffee.com/saramartin.

Me: I wish I didn’t need to ask for help.

Nell: But you do, and it isn’t as if you don’t do something in return. You write a conversation every day. Come rain or shine.

Me: It’s definitely rain today. Anyway, thank you in advance to all those who support me. It really does make a huge difference and is appreciated more than you can imagine.

Nell: Right Eeyore, time for some tea and a cosy chat with your lovely daughter.

Me: Precious moments.

Nell: She’s only going to be a FaceTime away.

Me: I know. Sorry.