Nell: It’s very early.
Me: I couldn’t sleep.
Nell: You’re always like that when you go away.
Me: I am.
Nell: How’s London?
Me: Busy and buzzy as always. Fortunately my hotel is in a quiet residential street. How’s Devon?
Nell: Rather quiet at this time of the morning. Harriet has made a nest of cushions in the living room.
Me: I shouldn’t have woken you all.
Nell: I don’t mind. Sharing a bed with David is warm but restricting.
Me: You’ve got plenty of beds. Why are you sharing?
Nell: David needed reassurance.
Me: Why?
Nell: You’ve been gone for ever.
Me: I only left yesterday morning.
Nell: Time means nothing to a dog. David feels lost and abandoned.
Me: What utter nonsense.
Nell: Kev had a very unusual dinner.
Me: Tell me.
Nell: Pizza with baked beans and steamed vegetables.
Me: He used to eat like that before he met me.
Nell: He gave the Hoffmanns the evening off.
Me: That was kind of him.
Nell: I blame that Notorious Vegetarian James Beddall.
Me: What’s James got to do with it?
Nell: There was no meat.
Me: You like pizza and you like vegetables.
Nell: It’s time you came home.
Me: I should be back by this afternoon depending on the traffic.
Nell: Make sure you drive carefully.
Me: I will. Don’t worry.
Nell: And bring some meat.
Me: Don’t be ridiculous, Nell.
Nell: All this vegetarian nonsense has to stop.
Me: Did you know it’s the London Marathon this Sunday?
Nell: Stop changing the subject. Get in your car and come home.
Me: I will as soon as I can. Let me have breakfast first.
Nell: You’re going to have a full English breakfast, aren’t you? With sausages and bacon?
Me: Yes. I’m afraid I am. Sorry.
