Nell: Why are you cuddling David? Has something happened?
Me: My darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy got caught in the rain.
Nell: Is that all?
Me: Look at his sweet face. Poor little thing.
Nell: First of all, nobody could call David ‘little’ and second of all, everybody got caught in the rain.
Me: Did they?
Nell: My fur is damp and Harriet is soaked.
Me: Yes, but you girls are tough. Look at his little face, Nell.
Nell: Oh, do stop. You’re ridiculous when it comes to David.
Me: He’s my boy.
Nell: I hope he hasn’t had a second breakfast. Second breakfasts are only for birthdays and weekends.
Me: Only a couple of lightly boiled eggs and some hot buttered toast.
Nell: Manuel made him pancakes for his first breakfast.
Me: I thought he only had cereal.
Nell: He had a bowl of cereal first and then Manuel whisked him up a few pancakes.
Me: I wonder why.
Nell: Because he’s greedy.
Me: I meant Manuel. He’s from Barcelona.
Nell: It’s an octopus thing. Making pancakes makes them happy.
Me: I could eat a pancake, myself, with lots of maple syrup.
Nell: Porridge is fine. It’s Monday and you’re going to aqua class.
Me: I’d rather stay here and cuddle my boy.
Nell: We all have things we’d rather be doing.
Me: What would you rather be doing?
Nell: Helping Kev with the sound effects for the animation.
Me: How exciting. What does he need?
Nell: The sound of a Labrador eating a scone, if you must know.
Me: With jam and cream?
Nell: Of course.
Me: Dave would be perfect at doing that.
Nell: David has had two breakfasts, already. Three, if you count the cereal. And the scone has to be eaten delicately.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
