Nell: I hope Nigel realises it’s Conversations with Nell, not Conversations with Nigel.
Me: Of course he does. What’s brought this on?
Nell: He’s upstairs on your bed again.
Me: He likes to look out of the window and watch me write.
Nell: David and Harriet do that.
Me: My door is always open.
Nell: He’s up there too much.
Me: He just likes to be near me.
Nell: We all like to be near you.
Me: Is this because you can’t get up the stairs anymore?
Nell: No. I’m happy alone down here.
Me: You’re never alone, Nell. Kev even sleeps downstairs now to be near you.
Nell: I know. My friend Dorothy says installing a stairlift is quite easy nowadays.
Me: We’re not getting a stairlift.
Nell: Pamela has one so they can obviously cope with all sizes.
Me: Are you talking about Pamela the Pyrenean Mountain Dog?
Nell: Yes. David is an honorary Mountain Dog.
Me: I can’t remember why.
Nell: I think Rhubarb from Canada was involved.
Me: The dog, not the fruit?
Nell: Yes. Marvin’s friend who visited us.
Me: I’m going to be meeting Marvin in August.
Nell: I know. He’s very excited but also a little worried.
Me: Why?
Nell: He’s not used to lots of people.
Me: I shall be calm and quiet.
Nell: Yeah. Right.
Me: Why did you say that? I can be quiet.
Nell: Never mind. Anyway, before you see Marvin you’ll be seeing Chris.
Me: I know. Only six more sleeps until he arrives.
Nell: When did we last see him?
Me: November last year. It’s been too long.
Nell: Well, it’s not long now.
Me: No.
Nell: Tell Nigel to get off that bed. He’s supposed to be peeling potatoes not monitoring your writing.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
