Me: Yesterday was great fun, wasn’t it?

Nell: The meatballs were exceptional.

Me: You ate enough of them.

Nell: We all did.

Me: True.

Nell: David had thirds.

Me: That was a bit naughty.

Nell: He said it was by mistake.

Me: It might have been.

Nell: You can eat a meatball by mistake, but you can’t add mashed potato and gravy.

Me: It was a sauce.

Nell: That’s not the point.

Me: Anyway, we all had tremendous fun.

Nell: You and Charlotte never stopped talking.

Me: We haven’t seen each other in a while. We were reminiscing about happy times with Alex.

Nell: We knew you would. That’s why we gave you our silent support.

Me: You weren’t that silent when it came to dinner.

Nell: I like things to be on time.

Me: You started growling under your breath.

Nell: I was merely thinking out loud.

Me: You’ve become extremely impatient in your old age.

Nell: Moving on, Nigel has agreed to open Sunday Songs this morning with a song.

Me: How lovely.

Nell: Gladys and the llamas will perform an interpretive dance.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Quite. After the recent spitting incident, followed by a hose down, the Welsh Corgi Choir will be singing in sou’westers.

Me: Sensible.

Nell: With matching hats and umbrellas.

Me: A slight overreaction.

Nell: Have you ever been spat on by a llama?

Me: No.

Nell: Or hosed down in November?

Me: I can’t say I have.

Nell: Well, then.

Me: Alice landed safely back in Berlin this morning.

Nell: Were you tracking her flight all night again?

Me: I might have been.

Nell: It’s a quiet Sunday for you. A nice Sunday roast followed by a walk.

Me: Sounds perfect.

Nell: Everyone is safely home now. Just relax.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: You weren’t really listening to me when we were down on the beach, were you?

Nell: Have you made up the bed in the back bedroom yet?

Me: I suggested you have a drink of water from the stream and you ignored me.

Nell: We want everything to be ready for your sister Charlotte and Nigel.

Me: Dave had a good long drink. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: We don’t know what time they’ll be arriving so it’s best to be prepared.

Me: In fact, you’re not listening to me now.

Nell: I know they’re family but I still feel people shouldn’t have to climb over boxes to get into bed.

Me: Kev’s moved the boxes. All I have to do is fetch the bedding.

Nell: No time like the present.

Me: I’ve got plenty of time. Let me enjoy my Saturday morning.

Nell: Herr Hoffmann’s been up for hours.

Me: He’s always up early to bake the bread.

Nell: You missed Gliding with Gladys.

Me: My gliding days are over.

Nell: The llamas were particularly skittish today.

Me: Why?

Nell: Sugar low. They were fine after a couple of bananas.

Me: Do llamas eat bananas?

Nell: I just told you they do. Do try and listen.

Me: That’s rich coming from you.

Nell: Llamas love fruit. Babycakes Gillespie always makes sure he has some in his coffee cart.

Me: How thoughtful.

Nell: It’s self preservation. Llamas spit when they’re agitated.

Me: I don’t blame them.

Nell: It can get very messy. We had to hose down one of the Welsh Corgi Choir.

Me: I thought it had been out in the rain.

Nell: Corgis love a good glide.

Me: Really?

Nell: Yes. Didn’t you notice its leg warmers?

Me: I thought they were a fashion statement. Sorry.

Me: Look at Nigel’s smiling face.

Nell: Yes. My friend Dorothy says he and Charlotte are looking forward to the meatballs tomorrow.

Me: Meatballs?

Nell: Yes. That’s what Herr Hoffmann is making us.

Me: I know but what about looking forward to seeing us?

Nell: She didn’t say.

Me: Are you sure?

Nell: Yes. We were discussing their visit and Dorothy said how excited they were.

Me: About meatballs?

Nell: Swedish meatballs.

Me: It doesn’t matter what nationality they are.

Nell: I think you will find it does. Italian meatballs tend to be served in a tomato sauce with pasta whereas the Swedish ones come with mashed potato and a delicious creamy sauce.

Me: It sounds like you’re looking forward to meatballs, too?

Nell: We all are. They’re a family favourite. David has already asked for seconds.

Me: He hasn’t even had firsts yet.

Nell: Sometimes it’s wise to get your request for seconds in early.

Me: Well, I don’t believe Nigel only mentioned meatballs. I’m sure he and Charlotte are really looking forward to seeing us all.

Nell: I know it’s hard to come second to a meatball but life is hard.

Me: Now you’re teasing me.

Nell: Of course I am. Charlotte can’t wait to see you.

Me: What about Nigel?

Nell: Nigel loves attention and he knows he’s going to get lots of it.

Me: Yes, he is.

Nell: And meatballs. What could be better?

Me: Alice and Chris sent me some more photos of her visit to Toronto. It looks like an exciting city.

Nell: You’ll find out yourself when you visit next August.

Me: I will. It’s lovely to see them all together having fun.

Nell: Just like us this weekend.

Me: Exactly.

Nell: With the added attraction of Swedish meatballs.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Nell: That’s Marvin in Toronto.

Me: Alice sent me some photos. She was delighted to meet him at long last.

Nell: He’s been talking about her visit in our group chat on WoofsApp for weeks.

Me: I’ve just had some more good news.

Nell: Pray tell.

Me: Nigel and my sister Charlotte are staying over on Saturday.

Nell: Have you seen the guest bedrooms?

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: They’re full of boxes.

Me: I know. We’re moving house.

Nell: Well, they’re still going to need a bed.

Me: The bed is there, Nell. We’ve just got to move the boxes.

Nell: We?

Me: It’s probably going to have to be Kev.

Nell: Does he know?

Me: Yes. He says it’s no problem.

Nell: You’d better not let Nigel find out that Stuffed Tiger is coming with us to the little cottage in the middle of nowhere.

Me: I haven’t said he is.

Nell: You haven’t said he isn’t.

Me: He is coming with us.

Nell: I knew that.

Me: He’s part of the family.

Nell: Fine. I’m not going to argue. Does Herr Hoffmann know we have guests on Saturday?

Me: Yes. He’s cooking Swedish meatballs. Charlotte’s favourite.

Nell: How was your FaceTime with Toronto yesterday evening?

Me: Lovely. It was really heartwarming to see Alice and Chris together again.

Nell: It must have been.

Me: She’s still not well and has a nasty cough but she’s safely with her brother and can rest for a few days before she flies back to Berlin on Saturday.

Nell: Family is so important.

Me: Yes, and I also heard from my niece Abi that she’s expecting a baby next May.

Nell: How wonderful.

Me: My sister Alex would have been so happy.

Nell: She is. Trust me.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: You look absolutely dreadful.

Me: Thank you. I’ve hardly slept.

Nell: Why?

Me: I was tracking Alice’s flight and it was delayed so she didn’t leave Chicago until gone midnight here.

Nell: Is she safely in Toronto now?

Me: Yes. She sent me a photo of her and Chris together on the train home. It was so lovely to see them together.

Nell: Well, that’s a relief.

Me: Yes, but then I couldn’t sleep.

Nell: That’s not good.

Me: And I started looking at the US election results.

Nell: That was very foolish.

Me: And I couldn’t stop.

Nell: You shouldn’t have started.

Me: I know that now.

Nell: What about Harriet? Why is she sitting by the window?

Me: Harriet and I watched the sun coming up together and then she saw Jim the Farm Dog walking the fields.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: And she’s stayed by the window since then.

Nell: Why don’t you both go back to sleep?

Me: I can’t. I have my Wednesday Writers workshop.

Nell: You’re not going to be much use to anyone like this.

Me: I know.

Nell: I’ll go and organise a pot of Earl Grey and a bowl of porridge.

Me: Can’t I have hot buttered toast and jam?

Nell: No. Porridge is necessary if you’re going to get through the day. It’s slow release.

Me: But I fancy some toast.

Nell: What you fancy and what you need are two different things.

Me: You’re so bossy.

Nell: You’ll thank me later. Harriet can have toast and a boiled egg.

Me: Why is she allowed a boiled egg and I’m not?

Nell: Because her heart is broken. Now, finish your writing while I organise breakfast and stop watching the election results. There’s nothing you can do.

Me: Okay. Sorry.

Me: Harriet looks a little fierce.

Nell: Of course she does. It’s Guy Fawkes Day.

Me: ‘Remember, remember, the 5th of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.’

Nell: Yes, we all know the nursery rhyme.

Me: Actually, lots of people don’t. It is an unusual celebration. I mean it happened in 1605 which is an awfully long time ago.

Nell: If Guy Fawkes hadn’t been caught, he and the other conspirators would have blown up the House of Lords and assassinated King James I.

Me: It’s interesting that we still celebrate by building bonfires and burning a guy.

Nell: We don’t.

Me: No. We’re just having hot dogs for supper in front of the fire but I have many happy memories of bonfire night parties in the past.

Nell: There will definitely be no fireworks?

Me: Absolutely not. Although, there will probably be quite a few around.

Nell: I never let them bother me.

Me: I know, but the puppies hate them and the llamas get ever so skittish.

Nell: Rupert is going to read to them while they have their supper. They always find it calming.

Me: Are the llamas coming for supper?

Nell: No. I’m talking about Dave and Harriet.

Me: Dave finds eating hot dogs most calming.

Nell: Herr Hoffmann is making extra.

Me: It’s going to be quite a day. I shall be very glad when Alice lands in Toronto and is safely home with Chris and Shannon.

Nell: Today is quite a big day in the US, isn’t it?

Me: It certainly is.

Nell: Will there be fireworks?

Me: Possibly. Of a different kind.

Nell: All in all, I think I shall be rather glad when this day is over.

Me: Yes. I agree. Sorry.

Me: The thing I admire about you is you know your limitations.

Nell: I do.

Me: You pace yourself.

Nell: Correct.

Me: You know when to stop.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: When we go for a walk and your legs get tired you sit down and rest.

Nell: It’s the sensible thing to do.

Me: I agree. There’s far too much rushing about in this world.

Nell: Tell me about it.

Me: Although, sometimes I look back on my younger days and wish I could rush about a little bit more.

Nell: I’m happy to leave that to the young ones.

Me: Harriet never stops when we’re out.

Nell: She’s a live wire.

Me: And Dave loves to be on the move.

Nell: Until he doesn’t.

Me: Yes. He likes his cuddles. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: What’s brought all this on?

Me: I think I have a touch of the Mondays.

Nell: Ah, I see.

Me: And I’m worried about Alice.

Nell: Why?

Me: She’s in Chicago and she’s not well. She couldn’t even give her presentation.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: It’s not nice to be ill when you’re far away from home.

Nell: No, it isn’t. At least she’s flying to Toronto tomorrow to be with Chris and Shannon.

Me: I’ll be glad when she’s with them.

Nell: So will I. They will look after her.

Me: Yes. Sometimes all you want is your family.

Nell: I know you’re missing Alice and Chris.

Me: I wish they weren’t so far away.

Nell: You brought them up to travel and see the world and that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Me: True.

Nell: Alice knows you’re thinking of her.

Me: She does.

Nell: You don’t have to actually be with someone to feel their love.

Me: Yes. You’re right. Sorry.

Me: Dave and Harriet have got the right idea.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: Today should be a Snuggle Day. A ‘Cuddling up in front of the fire with a good book’ sort of day.

Nell: Only after Sunday Songs. You can’t expect the Welsh Corgi Choir to sing alone.

Me: Of course.

Nell: And Herr Hoffmann needs some help in the kitchen peeling the vegetables for the Sunday roast.

Me: Fine.

Nell: And someone needs to hand out the bacon sandwiches.

Me: Okay.

Nell: And the mugs of tea.

Me: Not cups?

Nell: Cups are for afternoon tea.

Me: Right.

Nell: Which reminds me, some of the Whippets Institute are joining The Cat and myself for a game of Bridge this afternoon.

Me: How lovely.

Nell: A small refreshment might be required.

Me: You’ll only just have had a huge lunch.

Nell: A few finger sandwiches and some scones will do. You can help David serve.

Me: But I wanted a Snuggle Day.

Nell: Nobody’s stopping you.

Me: You just gave me a long list of things to do.

Nell: It’s a Snuggle Day. Not a Snuggle All Day.

Me: I suppose so.

Nell: You’ll have plenty of time in between.

Me: I hope so.

Nell: Treats aren’t treats if you have them all the time.

Me: You seem to cope.

Nell: The Looking Forward to something is almost as exciting as the actual Having It.

Me: True. When the children are coming to visit I love the days leading up to it. Knowing I’ll be seeing them again makes me so happy.

Nell: A large bird told me Chris is coming to visit you soon.

Me: Don’t you mean little bird?

Nell: It was Walter Pigeon and that’s not the point. Are you excited?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: It’s always a joy to see Tony and Dave together.

Nell: Yes.

Me: I’m not looking forward to explaining to Dave that Tony won’t be our postman anymore.

Nell: He knows. We discussed Moving House at Morning Thoughts.

Me: You did?

Nell: Some animals were voicing concerns about not coming with us, so I told them.

Me: Told them what?

Nell: Everyone’s coming, except Tony.

Me: That’s not right.

Nell: Why? Because Tony doesn’t actually live with us?

Me: I’m not sure if everyone can come.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: We need to talk to the other residents about the possible use of a barn and a field.

Nell: Do it now.

Me: We have to wait for the survey first.

Nell: You can’t turn the llamas out onto the street.

Me: Of course not.

Nell: What about Olive the Other Reindeer, and Monty?

Me: I’m sure we’ll find a way.

Nell: Princess and Sir Roger Blubbery need a pool.

Me: The estuary isn’t too far away and leads to the sea.

Nell: The water comes and goes.

Me: Everyone is going to have to adapt.

Nell: This is most worrying.

Me: We’ll find a way, Nell. We always do.

Nell: You’re right.

Me: We might not see Tony every day but he and Sue will visit us when they can.

Nell: I know I grumble about the llamas but I’m rather fond of them in reality.

Me: I’m fond of The Cat. I can’t imagine not having it living nearby.

Nell: The Cat’s definitely coming with us.

Me: What?

Nell: There’s a Big House just down the lane with a beautiful view.

Me: Do the people who live there know The Cat is moving in?

Nell: Certainly not. Cats never ask permission.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Me: I think we should talk about yesterday.

Nell: I thought it went very well. The costumes were delightful and the food delicious.

Me: I’m not talking about Halloween.

Nell: Why suggest we discuss it then?

Me: I’m talking about Santi.

Nell: Who’s Santi?

Me: The lovely elderly rescue dog we met on our walk.

Nell: You mean the one who turned Kev’s head and stole all my treats?

Me: Kev was just chatting to Santi and the kind gentleman who rescued her.

Nell: I saw her asking Kev for some more treats.

Me: You do that all the time, Nell. Santi suffers from arthritis, too.

Nell: Does she?

Me: Yes, and she’s 12 years old, just like you.

Nell: I heard that part.

Me: She wasn’t rescued until she was nine, Nell.

Nell: I didn’t know that.

Me: Her life won’t have been easy. She needs as much love as we can give.

Nell: Yes. You’re right. I might have been a little standoffish.

Me: You were.

Nell: I shall make sure I’m more welcoming the next time we see her.

Me: Good. I’m glad to hear that.

Nell: Now, it’s the first of the month and you know what that means.

Me: I need to share the link to the website where people can buy me a cup of Earl Grey.

Nell: Exactly. You write a conversation every day. People want to support you.

Me: It’s buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. Thank you so much in advance.

Nell: Yes. We are very grateful.

Me: It really makes a difference to our small economy.

Nell: It does. People are very kind if you allow them to be.

Me: I still find asking for support very hard to do.

Nell: I know you do. That’s why I’m here to prompt you.

Me: Yes. Sorry.