Me: Why are you looking so worried?
Nell: I heard you telling Kev you might put a hot water bottle in my bed.
Me: Yes. I wanted your bed to be all warm and snuggly. I know this horrid rainy weather can make you feel a bit achy.
Nell: I don’t want it anywhere near me.
Me: Why?
Nell: Hot water bottles are dangerous.
Me: Only if you don’t screw the lid on properly and overfill with boiling water.
Nell: You can only use them for a few years. They have expiry dates. People don’t realise and children get burned.
Me: Where did you hear that?
Nell: On the radio. A doctor was talking about the rising number of burns.
Me: Oh my goodness. How dreadful. I didn’t know.
Nell: Check the expiry date.
Me: I don’t know where to look.
Nell: It’s just inside the neck.
Me: 2022.
Nell: There you are. You can’t use it anymore.
Me: But why don’t they tell you this? Shouldn’t there be a warning?
Nell: Yes.
Me: My mother had hot water bottles older than me. She always put one in my bed in the colder months.
Nell: You were lucky.
Me: Thank you for letting me know.
Nell: Everyone needs to know, if they don’t already.
Me: I agree.
Nell: I’ll have one of Rupert’s soft blankets and a cup of Earl Grey, if it’s not too much trouble.
Me: It isn’t.
Nell: And a couple of slices of hot buttered toast with some homemade marmalade.
Me: Fine.
Nell: You can leave the crusts on, if it’s freshly baked bread.
Me: It always is.
Nell: Thank you for looking after me.
Me: Getting older isn’t easy.
Nell: It’s much easier when you’re surrounded by love. Let’s count our blessings.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
