Me: You were really sprightly down on the beach.
Nell: Sprightly?
Me: You walked almost briskly down to the sea.
Nell: Almost?
Me: Well, you like to stop now and again.
Nell: I’m admiring the view.
Me: You’re waiting for a biscuit.
Nell: It would be rude not to take what’s offered.
Me: It’s only offered because you won’t walk any further until you’ve had one.
Nell: Nonsense.
Me: Kev says you’re training me.
Nell: Of course I am. I’ve been training you since we first met. It’s what we dogs do.
Me: Not all dogs.
Nell: Now, it’s Christmas Eve and our guests will be arriving soon.
Me: It’s first thing in the morning.
Nell: You don’t know when they will decide to join us so it’s best to be prepared.
Me: It’s family, Nell. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.
Nell: I wouldn’t call Steve ‘family’, as such.
Me: Steve?
Nell: Steve the Donkey.
Me: I didn’t know he was coming for Christmas.
Nell: He has a couple of jobs in Kingsbridge today and then he is done for the year so I said he could stay in The Barn.
Me: That was kind of you.
Nell: Donkeys are not just for Christmas.
Me: Steve is, unless he’s staying on.
Nell: I don’t know what his plans are but we’re not turning him out onto the street.
Me: I never suggested we should. I just presumed he would want to go home at some point.
Nell: Steve doesn’t have a home. He goes where the work is.
Me: Well, he’s very welcome to stay with us for now.
Nell: For now?
Me: We’re moving house next year.
Nell: I know. Steve’s pulling the wagon.
Me: What wagon?
Nell: The removals one. Do keep up.
Me: Oh. Sorry.
