Me: How Harriet can swim in the sea when it’s this cold is beyond me.
Nell: She doesn’t care about the cold. Swimming is her favourite thing.
Me: I couldn’t do it.
Nell: No, you could not.
Me: I had to wear my all-encasing hat. The wind was freezing.
Nell: It’s important to keep your ears warm. You suffer from earache in the cold.
Me: I’m very lucky to have you looking out for me.
Nell: Yes, you are.
Me: I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Nell: I’m not going anywhere.
Me: Nigel is coming to stay for a few days, so we need to get the Christmas tree ready.
Nell: Doesn’t he have his own tree?
Me: I want it to be Christmassy. Maybe we should have our own little Christmas market like they do in Germany?
Nell: That sounds rather ambitious. Herr Hoffmann is making some Lebkuchen for Charlotte. He knows she likes it.
Me: That’s kind of him. Perhaps we could have Gluehwein, too?
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: It’s mulled wine. I remember drinking it at the Christmas markets when I lived in Germany. Piping hot from beakers with a tasty hot dog on the side.
Nell: David would approve.
Me: Bless him.
Nell: Well, don’t let the llamas anywhere near the wine. They’ve already consumed far too much sugar and have been cartwheeling since dawn.
Me: At least the exercise will keep them warm.
Nell: I see you’ve finally got the internet again.
Me: It suddenly came back on. The last few days made me realise how much I rely on it.
Nell: And hopefully how fortunate you were to have had the time to enjoy a good book and pleasant conversation instead of staring at your iBone.
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
