Nell: How are you this sunny morning?
Me: Very excited about Chris coming to visit us.
Nell: I’m sure you are.
Me: Only two more sleeps to go.
Nell: Did you sleep last night?
Me: Not very well. I was tracking his flight to Lisbon. He should be landing soon.
Nell: Why is he flying to Portugal?
Me: It’s his stag weekend.
Nell: Oh yes. He’s going to be very tired when he arrives here.
Me: I know.
Nell: Don’t ask him about it.
Me: Why?
Nell: What happens on a stag weekend stays on the stag weekend.
Me: Do we know why Harriet’s sitting at the top of the stairs?
Nell: Kev is getting things ready for Chris’s visit.
Me: I know but I’m talking about Harriet.
Nell: So am I.
Me: She’s sitting at the top of the stairs.
Nell: Yes. She’s on duty.
Me: On duty?
Nell: You’re doing that repeating thing again and you know how much it annoys me.
Me: Why is she sitting there?
Nell: Nobody is allowed upstairs unless she gives you the sign.
Me: Why?
Nell: Kev is busy and must not be disturbed.
Me: But my desk is upstairs. It’s where I work.
Nell: Then ask politely and she might give you the sign.
Me: What sign?
Nell: Good grief. Do I have to do everything for you?
Me: It’s your password at the Semicircle of Power all over again.
Nell: Don’t be silly. My password changes. Harriet will always close her eyes briefly.
Me: She did that just now.
Nell: Why didn’t you go upstairs?
Me: I didn’t know. I’ll go up now.
Nell: Are her eyes open again?
Me: Yes.
Nell: You’ll have to wait.
Me: But I’ve got things to do.
Nell: Rules are rules.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
