Me: What do you think of my atmospheric photo of the view from the French window?
Nell: We’re not in France.
Me: I know.
Nell: And it’s a door, not a window.
Me: I know that, too. It’s just the name. I thought the light was particularly lovely.
Nell: Why are you up so early? We’re all still trying to sleep.
Me: It’s my Wednesday Writers workshop.
Nell: I’m not sure I have time to join you this morning.
Me: That’s fine.
Nell: Please say hello to the other writers.
Me: I will.
Nell: I realise I will be greatly missed.
Me: You aren’t actually invited.
Nell: Excuse me? I am always invited. Why do you think I lie next to your desk?
Me: The puppies usually lie on the bed behind me and they’re definitely not invited.
Nell: We all know that. I’m different. I have a book out.
Me: It was written by me.
Nell: ‘Conversations with Nell’. It’s in the title.
Me: True.
Nell: Anyway, I might join you later, if I can.
Me: Are you going out?
Nell: No. I’m having my hair fluffed.
Me: By whom?
Nell: The visiting poodle, if you must know.
Me: The one who fluffed the Welsh Corgi Choir?
Nell: Yes.
Me: Here at home?
Nell: Nicky Barke is a mobile hairdresser.
Me: Don’t you mean Clarke?
Nell: No. Bark with an e. He’s kindly agreed to pop over this morning.
Me: I hope you don’t end up curly.
Nell: I’m a Labrador, not a curly coated retriever.
Me: I wish you wouldn’t. You’re perfect as you are.
Nell: It’s only going to be a light fluff. Nothing major.
Me: Don’t let him colour your hair.
Nell: Not even a purple rinse?
Me: Definitely not.
Nell: I’m joking.
Me: Good. Sorry.
