Me: We were blessed with beautiful weather yesterday, weren’t we?

Nell: We were.

Me: And it’s wonderful having lovely walks on our doorstep.

Nell: It is.

Me: Did you see the primroses? They were my mother’s favourite flowers.

Nell: I did.

Me: You walked a really long way. I was impressed.

Nell: It was good to be out in the fresh air and away from the boxes for a while.

Me: I know it’s a bit chaotic at the moment, but we are getting there slowly.

Nell: With a few hiccups along the way.

Me: Yes, I’m glad the hot water is back on again.

Nell: It was most kind of that gentleman to come out on a Sunday.

Me: He lives in the village. People seem very friendly here. There’s a real community feel.

Nell: I agree.

Me: They’re selling fresh eggs at the farm just across the road and we can also buy home grown vegetables.

Nell: How will they feel about selling to a bear?

Me: They’ll be fine with Herr Hoffmann once they get to know him. He’s such a polite animal. Good to see him wearing his Sunday hat.

Nell: He and Frau Hoffmann love it here already. They’ve signed up for quiz night at the pub.

Me: Kev, Charlotte and I thought we’d do that, too. We had a delicious lunch.

Nell: I’m glad someone did.

Me: I thought Sunday Songs went really well at the recreation ground.

Nell: The llamas took it too far again. What were those high kicks about?

Me: It was their version of the can-can.

Nell: Dancing the can-can is not for Sundays.

Me: We’re going to be alright here, aren’t we?

Nell: I told you we would be. We just need time to settle in.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Happy Mother’s Day.

Me: Thank you. I would like to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there in any shape or form.

Nell: I would include myself in that.

Me: And you would be right. You’re a mother to us all.

Nell: Most kind.

Me: And I wish all you mothers could have a present like mine.

Nell: What is yours?

Me: A bed full of Labradors. What more could anyone want?

Nell: It’s Sunday, so a good Sunday roast would be on my list.

Me: Right. Now, here’s the thing.

Nell: I don’t like it when you say that.

Me: You know the kitchen is still mostly in boxes?

Nell: Herr Hoffmann managed to cook us all a spaghetti bolognese last night.

Me: Yes, but it wasn’t easy for him.

Nell: True.

Me: Anyway, a roast simply isn’t possible.

Nell: But it’s Mother’s Day.

Me: Yes, and that’s why Kev, my sister Charlotte and I are going to the pub for lunch.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: They’re doing a special Mother’s Day roast.

Nell: Kev’s not a mother.

Me: He’s an honorary mother today after all the work he’s been doing.

Nell: True. What about us?

Me: We thought a lovely walk might make up for the lack of roast.

Nell: And Sunday Songs?

Me: The Welsh Corgi Choir are singing at the recreation ground at 11am and everyone is invited.

Nell: Will the llamas be cartwheeling?

Me: Of course. Gladys wants to spread the word about Glide with Gladys which will be resuming from tomorrow.

Nell: My gliding days are over but I don’t mind joining you on the bed for a Mother’s Day snuggle.

Me: It’s going to be fine, isn’t it?

Nell: You and me. Always.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: The puppies seem a little tired after yesterday.

Nell: I think we all are.

Me: We caused quite a stir in the village, didn’t we?

Nell: I suppose it’s not every day a wolf arrives on a motorcycle with a sidecar full of insects and small animals.

Me: Or a cart full of seals drawn by llamas?

Nell: They didn’t have to go twice around the recreation ground,

Me: No, that was unnecessary.

Nell: And Princess was clapping herself again.

Me: It’s a seal thing.

Nell: We caused a road block, you know.

Me: I do know.

Nell: I’m finding it all a little stressful. How are you?

Me: I’m exhausted and a bit sad but the sun is shining and people seem very friendly, so I’m sure everything will be alright.

Nell: I’ve never seen so many boxes.

Me: There are a lot.

Nell: We’ve lost one of our sofas.

Me: Yes. There simply isn’t room here. The House on the Corner is a lot smaller, but it has a friendly feel.

Nell: It does.

Me: I think we’re going to be happy here.

Nell: I’m sure we are.

Me: It was nice of Nigel and Charlotte to come over, wasn’t it?

Nell: You know they’re still asleep in the front bedroom, don’t you?

Me: Yes. They’re helping with the unpacking later but let them sleep for now.

Nell: I think my role in all this is going to have to be a supervisory one.

Me: It’s enough that you’re here by my side, Nell. I don’t need anything more.

Nell: Personally, I wouldn’t say no to a cup of tea and a lightly boiled egg with some hot buttered toast.

Me: We’d better try and find the kettle and the toaster then.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: Sorry.

Nell: What on earth are they doing downstairs?

Me: Packing up the furniture. We’re moving today.

Nell: Do they have to make so much noise?

Me: I’m afraid they do. Moving house is not something that can be done quietly.

Nell: It’s most annoying at this time of the morning, I haven’t even had a cup of Earl Grey.

Me: Well, you’d better hurry up before someone packs the kettle away.

Nell: I happen to know Kev has an Essentials Box including things like a kettle, tea and biscuits, so tea will always be available.

Me: Do you remember all the beautiful sunsets and sunrises we’ve seen here?

Nell: Of course I do.

Me: Dave and I watched the sunrise through my window for the very last time this morning.

Nell: Firstly the sun is going to rise every day and secondly it’s not your window.

Me: No, it isn’t anymore. You’re right. It belongs to someone else now.

Nell: It’s Our Window and it always will be whether we’re living here, or not,

Me: Even the sky is sad today. Look at that rain.

Nell: Right. That’s enough negativity. You need to start looking forwards not backwards.

Me: I’m not sure I can.

Nell: I know today is going to be difficult.

Me: Yes.

Nell: But exciting times are ahead of us.

Me: Without doubt.

Nell: New beginnings at The House on the Corner.

Me: I think I might need a little more time to say goodbye to all this first, Nell.

Nell: I understand. You take your time.

Me: Thank you.

Nell: But not too much time. The Whippets Institute minibus just arrived and loading will begin soon.

Me: Loading?

Nell: You can’t expect everyone to walk to our new home. We aren’t all llamas.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: You’re not going to believe this.

Me: I might.

Nell: David and Harriet are in cahoots with the Stuffed Tiger.

Me: What do you mean ‘in cahoots’?

Nell: Go upstairs into your bedroom and see for yourself.

Me: The puppies aren’t on top of the wardrobe, are they?

Nell: Don’t be ridiculous. How on earth would David get up there? And if he did, he’d never fit.

Me: You’re right. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. So, what’s happened?

Nell: They’re all three lying on the bed together.

Me: Really?

Nell: Yes, and that tiger is definitely trying to win them over by whispering in their ears.

Me: How exciting. It must have so much to say.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Maybe we’ll find out who’s been stealing things and putting them on top of the wardrobe?

Nell: It won’t be telling them that. It’ll be spreading lies. That tiger is not to be trusted.

Me: Have you ever considered that it might simply be trying to make friends?

Nell: No.

Me: That it might be missing the grandchildren?

Nell: We’re all missing the grandchildren.

Me: You know what I mean. When they were here it was always with them. It even slept in their bed.

Nell: Maybe I should be a little kinder.

Me: You should. I think it’s probably afraid we’re going to leave it behind.

Nell: With good reason.

Me: Yes. It’s what you wanted us to do. Imagine how upsetting it must be to feel unwanted.

Nell: Maybe I should rethink it.

Me: All it needs is a few friends.

Nell: Alright. The wretched animal can come with us.

Me: Good. It was coming with us anyway, but I’m glad you’re accepting it.

Nell: Tolerating, not accepting.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: I need to talk to you about the Semicircle of Power at the Dog and Dash activity field.

Nell: Your bedroom light was on in the middle of the night.

Me: I couldn’t sleep because of all the worrying about moving. We haven’t even exchanged yet and we’re moving in two days.

Nell: We will exchange today. I’m sure of it. The solicitors will ring soon to tell you it’s all sorted.

Me: I hope so. I don’t know what we’re going to do if we don’t.

Nell: You need your sleep.

Me: I couldn’t stop worrying so I thought it best to read a book.

Nell: I see.

Me: Books have a way of taking you somewhere else. It’s what I love about writing.

Nell: I understand.

Me: Anyway, back to the activity field. Why wouldn’t you let Dave into the Semicircle?

Nell: He tried to sneak in without a password.

Me: Nobody knows the password except you.

Nell: I need to maintain sovereignty.

Me: The activity field is for everyone.

Nell: It is not.

Me: Yes, it is.

Nell: I know for a fact that llamas are not allowed in there and rabbits are most unwelcome.

Me: It’s called Dog and Dash not Llamas and Leaping

Nell: Very droll.

Me: If you would just let the others enjoy the Semicircle they wouldn’t care about it as much.

Nell: C’est la vie.

Me: No, it isn’t, Nell.

Nell: You’re overtired and overreacting. The best thing for you is a nice cup of tea and some hot buttered toast.

Me: That would be lovely, actually.

Nell: The house is basically packed so try and relax a little. All will be well.

Me: Only two more sleeps to go.

Nell: Before a new adventure begins.

Me: Yes. You’re right. Sorry.

Me: Harriet is still sitting by the window.

Nell: It’s where she likes to be.

Me: You’re all going to miss looking out at that view.

Nell: So are you. You’ve spent nearly eight years writing next to it.

Me: I’m going to miss this view more than anything when we leave.

Nell: The wonderful thing, however, is it’s been captured by Derek for the animation series so it will always live on as part of our world.

Me: Yes.

Nell: We’ve made some lasting memories here.

Me: Some happy and some sad.

Nell: That’s always the way.

Me: You’ll be pleased to hear the house is almost completely packed up now.

Nell: It needs to be. We’re moving in a few days.

Me: We’ve got so much stuff. Both Kev and I find it hard to let things go.

Nell: Nobody could call you minimalists.

Me: Definitely not.

Nell: You’ve made some changes, though

Me: Yes. The House on the Corner is smaller than here so we can’t take everything. There are a number of pieces of furniture from my mother that I’m having to let go.

Nell: I think it’s actually a good thing. Time to move on.

Me: You’re probably right. It’s not easy.

Nell: It’s not meant to be.

Me: I’m glad Princess can move her pool to the grounds of the stately home.

Nell: Yes. The Cat knows the owners. They also have a spare barn for the llamas.

Me: That’s a relief. Do we know if Babycakes Gillespie will be allowed his coffee cart in the village?

Nell: Rupert helped him apply for a licence.

Me: Knitwear Wolf is coming with us too, isn’t he?

Nell: ‘Where you go, I go, Nelly’ to quote his exact words. He’s staying nearby.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Me: It’s good to see Nigel and Dave are best friends again.

Nell: Those two boys are constantly falling out and making up.

Me: They love each other really.

Nell: How was your FaceTime with Chris?

Me: Lovely.

Nell: Did he like Marvin’s poem?

Me: Very much, especially as Marvin’s other present went a bit wrong.

Nell: Why?

Me: Chris always gets up early with Marvin to take him out, so Marvin agreed to let him have a little lie-in on his birthday.

Nell: Good boy.

Me: Shannon said he tried really hard but he couldn’t quite manage it.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: He asked to go out in a Quiet Voice but Chris still heard him.

Nell: Of course he did. You and Kev are the same with us.

Me: I know, and talking of Quiet Voices I think you may be going a little deaf.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Exactly.

Nell: I can hear perfectly well. What are you talking about?

Me: You’ve started using your very loud Outside Voice when you’re inside.

Nell: That’s because there are so many boxes everywhere nobody can hear me.

Me: We can hear you, Nell. The Cat can probably hear you over in the Big House.

Nell: The Cat isn’t in the Big House.

Me: Where is it?

Nell: At its new apartment in the stately home.

Me: Do you mean it’s moved already?

Nell: Yes. It turns out getting an Uber isn’t as easy as it thought, so when the Whippets Institute offered the use of their minibus it seized the opportunity.

Me: It could have said goodbye.

Nell: It’s coming over to dinner on Saturday.

Me: We’re only moving in on Friday.

Nell: The Cat says a light supper will be fine.

Me: Ok. Sorry.

Nell: Don’t say you can’t believe Chris is 37.

Me: I can’t. I hope he has a wonderful day.

Nell: He will.

Me: Look at baby Dave in that photo and dear Marvin.

Nell: Marvin has written a poem for Chris. Would you like to hear it?

Me: Very much.

Nell: ‘My name is Marvin

And I want to say

My dear dad Chris 

Is 37 today.

He’s not that young

And he’s not that old. 

He’s just about right

If truth be told.

This year is a very special one

With lots of celebrations

Cos Dad’s marrying Mom.

She’s the love of his life 

So I suppose it’s fine

Because he and Mom

Are the love of mine.

There’s going to be partying

And there’s going to be fuss

But I like it best

When it’s just us.

So Happy Birthday Dear Dad

From your loving boy Marvin

Can we go and get breakfast now

Cos I’m properly starvin’?’

Me: Marvin is right.

Nell: Breakfast isn’t ready yet. Herr Hoffmann’s still grilling the bacon.

Me: No, about this being a really special year. Moving house and a wedding.

Nell: This is our last Sunday Songs here.

Me: I know. It’s a little bit sad, isn’t it?

Nell: You need to look forward. Better times are ahead.

Me: I hope so.

Nell: You’re just tired. This time next week we will be in The House on the Corner starting our new life in the village.

Me: You’re right. Onwards and upwards.

Nell: In the meantime there’s Chris’s birthday to celebrate. Frau Hoffmann has made a cake and the Welsh Corgi Choir are going to sing ‘Happy Birthday’.

Me: Will the llamas be cartwheeling?

Nell: Try and stop them. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Me: We do. Sorry.

Nell: David is not happy.

Me: If you’re going to start complaining about all the boxes again, Nell, you can stop right now. There’s nothing to be done.

Nell: I was talking about David.

Me: What’s wrong?

Nell: Nigel is sitting in your new chair.

Me: I deliberately got a big chair so that you dogs can join me. Dave is always sitting in it.

Nell: Nigel is a guest.

Me: He’s more than a guest, Nell. He’s family.

Nell: Nigel is not a Martin.

Me: He’s an honorary Martin.

Nell: David wanted to sit in your chair.

Me: Dave can wait.

Nell: Nigel knew David wanted to sit in your chair.

Me: Honestly, those two boys. Always competing.

Nell: Dave knows that you and Nigel went to Plymouth.

Me: We had to get a new tyre for his car.

Nell: Morale is a little low at the moment. There is still talk about some of us being left behind.

Me: Nobody is going to be left behind, Nell.

Nell: Just saying.

Me: Dave doesn’t think he’s going to be left behind, does he?

Nell: He thinks you might have a new favourite boy.

Me: He’s always going to be my Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: Well, just make sure he knows that. Talking of boys, I told Chris we would FaceTime tomorrow.

Me: Good. I can’t believe he’ll be 37.

Nell: You can never believe anyone is getting older, but I’m afraid we are.

Me: I believe I am, Nell. There have been a few days recently when I’ve really been feeling my age.

Nell: That’s completely understandable. Moving house is not easy. We’re all going through a very stressful time at the moment.

Me: You can say that again.

Nell: Once is more than enough.

Me: Yes. Sorry.