Me: It was quite a long walk down to the sea, wasn’t it?
Nell: It was.
Me: And you weren’t completely sure if you wanted to walk all that way.
Nell: I wasn’t.
Me: But you did. We took our time but we got there.
Nell: It was a long way.
Me: I know. We enjoyed watching Nigel and Harriet swimming though, didn’t we?
Nell: You certainly did.
Me: I love the way those two swim together. It’s adorable.
Nell: Nigel is still a strong swimmer for his age.
Me: He’s only 9, Nell.
Nell: I forget he’s only a year older than the puppies.
Me: It’s hard to believe they’ll be 8 in June.
Nell: David certainly doesn’t act his age.
Me: You will be 13 next Friday.
Nell: I know.
Me: Do you want a big party?
Nell: We’re moving house. We have no time, or space, for parties.
Me: We can make the time, if you’d like one.
Nell: I’ve already told Herr Hoffmann that a simple afternoon tea is fine with me.
Me: Okay.
Nell: A selection of finger sandwiches, crusts off. Poppy’s scones with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream and a simple Victoria sponge birthday cake will do.
Me: Iced?
Nell: Certainly not. A dusting of icing sugar is more than enough.
Me: Candles?
Nell: Of course.
Me: And to drink?
Nell: Earl Grey tea in china cups with lemon, not milk.
Me: What about champagne?
Nell: I expect I could manage a glass.
Me: Good. You don’t turn 13 every day when all’s said and done.
Nell: All is never said or done.
Me: It’s just a saying.
Nell: My point exactly. People will never stop saying.
Me: We all have to at some point.
Nell: I don’t. Trust me.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
