Me: Harriet and Nigel are spying on the stairs.
Nell: Don’t be silly.
Me: To be accurate, Harriet is spying and Nigel is smiling.
Nell: Smiling?
Me: Yes. Is he up to something again?
Nell: Of course not. He’s just happy his sister Scarlett has come to stay.
Me: It will be lovely to see her again on Christmas Day.
Nell: It will. We have many things to look forward to.
Me: I get the feeling you dogs are keeping a very close eye on me.
Nell: Why would you think that?
Me: Dave stuck his nose in my ear in the middle of the night and snuffled.
Nell: Snuffled?
Me: Yes, like he was searching for truffles.
Nell: I told him to be more restrained. That animal never listens.
Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. Restraint isn’t one of his skills.
Nell: Obviously not.
Me: You sent him to check on me, didn’t you? I knew it.
Nell: We dogs are merely doing our duty and looking after your well-being.
Me: I’m not sure being Snuffled by Dave in the middle of the night is good for my well-being, but I appreciate the gesture.
Nell: We know losing the Little Cottage is very hard for you and we just want to make sure you’re coping.
Me: I am. People have been very kind. It wasn’t meant to be and maybe it is for the best. I’m afraid the Little Cottage needs more money spent on it than we can afford.
Nell: It certainly sounds that way.
Me: There is a house out there for us. In fact Kev and I might already have an idea of which one it is.
Nell: Tell me more.
Me: I can’t tell you yet. But I will soon, if all goes well. Sorry.
