Me: Do you know what I realise when I look at the photos of us on the beach?
Nell: How far we walked?
Me: No, but we really did, didn’t we?
Nell: How much you have to say?
Me: I do like to chat with you.
Nell: I know.
Me: I mean, I knew I did, but I hadn’t realised quite how much.
Nell: I had.
Me: What I really noticed is how very close we are.
Nell: You and me?
Me: Yes. I’m normally behind the camera.
Nell: It’s where you like to be.
Me: It is, but now and again it’s good to see things from a different perspective.
Nell: It certainly is.
Me: I know you keep an eye on me, but I keep an eye on you, too.
Nell: We look after each other.
Me: We do. And it’s lovely to see.
Nell: It’s lovely to experience. Anyway, enough of all that. I wanted you to know that Rupert spoke to Nigel.
Me: What about?
Nell: Harriet. She asked him to explain things to Nigel. Wolf to Labrador.
Me: What things?
Nell: Nigel is infatuated with Harriet.
Me: I know.
Nell: Harriet doesn’t feel the same way. Her heart still belongs to Jim the Farm Dog.
Me: I thought it might. It must have been difficult for Nigel to hear.
Nell: Rupert was calm but firm.
Me: Did he give Nigel a cardigan?
Nell: No, a woolly hat was more than enough.
Me: Did Nigel see sense?
Nell: Eventually. He’s a little low.
Me: Maybe Dorothy can comfort him?
Nell: My Friend Dorothy is not a consolation prize.
Me: Of course not. Harriet and Nigel can still be best friends like us.
Nell: You and I are much more than that.
Me: Yes, we are. Sorry.
