Me: Happy Sunday. It looks hot in those photos.

Nell: Those were not taken today.

Me: I know. Kev sent them to me a while ago. I don’t have any new ones.

Nell: How’s the jet lag?

Me: I had a broken night’s sleep but I’m awake at a normal time and the sun is shining.

Nell: I hope you’re having a quiet day today.

Me: We are. We’re all completely exhausted. What about you?

Nell: Nigel stayed over last night so he’s joining us at Sunday Songs.

Me: Good. Are you having a Sunday roast?

Nell: No. Herr Hoffmann is away. Do keep up.

Me: Oh yes. I think Alice said he and Frau Hoffmann are coming over to breakfast this morning and bringing some of his fresh bread rolls.

Nell: I don’t believe it. Not only are we not having a Sunday roast but you’re having fresh rolls.

Me: I’m sure you’re having something tasty.

Nell: Manuel is cooking paella.

Me: Paella?

Nell: Yes, with chicken, fish and rice.

Me: I know what it is.

Nell: Who eats rice on a Sunday?

Me: Lots of people. Paella is delicious,

Nell: Sundays are for roast beef.

Me: Not necessarily.

Nell: Malcolm’s been up since first thing peeling prawns.

Me: He’s a flamingo. They’re good for his feathers.

Nell: Manuel’s putting them in the paella.

Me: Delicious.

Nell: He’s found an enormous pan and he’s dancing and waving his tentacles around in the kitchen.

Me: He’s from Barcelona. He’s happy to be cooking something Spanish.

Nell: And there’s no bacon left for breakfast.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: We’re having pancakes.

Me: That reminds me. I’m bringing you some maple syrup from Canada.

Nell: I want bacon and I want you to come home.

Me: I’ll be home next Sunday. Sorry.

Me: Good afternoon from sunny Germany.

Nell: Good afternoon.

Me: It feels like the middle of the night, Nell. We’re all struggling terribly with jet lag.

Nell: I’m sure you are. How was the flight?

Me: Not too bad but I didn’t sleep a wink on the plane . We arrived in Frankfurt at 6am which was midnight for us.

Nell: Fortunately you’ll be over all that by the time you come home.

Me: I will. Thank goodness. It’s not very nice. I can’t think clearly at all.

Nell: How is Germany?

Me: It’s always good to be back. One of Alice’s friends collected us from the airport in his van which was really kind of him as it’s quite a way from their apartment,

Nell: People are kind if you allow them to be.

Me: They are. How are you all?

Nell: It’s Saturday so we’ve had bacon sandwiches.

Me: Who cooked the bacon? Herr Hoffmann’s away so someone else must have done.

Nell: David did.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Quite. The sandwiches were strangely lacking in bacon. We need to buy more next time.

Me: Or you need to ask someone else to cook it.

Nell: David swears he ate ‘almost nothing by mistake’.

Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: Is the first photo of the house in Toronto?

Me: Yes, with all our cases.

Nell: I’m guessing yours was the large one.

Me: Of course.

Nell: And the second photo?

Me: It’s the view from Alice’s kitchen. I’m sitting there with a cup of tea right now.

Nell: Well, you enjoy your tea and try not to fall asleep again until this evening.

Me: I’ll do my best.

Nell; It’s good to have you nearer even if you won’t be home until 7th September.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Good morning.

Nell: It’s a little early for you, isn’t it?

Me: We’re flying to Germany today so there are cases to pack and the house to tidy.

Nell: Who is that animal?

Me: It’s Peggy. Isn’t she sweet? We met her at the station.

Nell: What is she doing on Jonathan’s lap?

Me: She jumped up there.

Nell: Did he ask her to do that?

Me: No.

Nell: How very rude.

Me: It wasn’t rude. It was friendly.

Nell: I would never jump onto someone’s lap without an invitation.

Me: You wouldn’t jump onto anyone’s lap even with an invitation.

Nell: I’m a Senior Labrador. I don’t do jumping.

Me: Dave would.

Nell: David does.

Me: How is my darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy? I miss him and Harriet.

Nell: I see Kev and I aren’t included.

Me: That goes without saying, Nell.

Nell: We’re all fine. How are you feeling?

Me: Tired and a little bit sad to be saying goodbye to Chris and Shannon.

Nell: You’ve had quite an emotional time in Toronto.

Me: I certainly have.

Nell: But now it’s time for Berlin and new adventures.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Faye will be starting school and there’s much to be done.

Me: True. Like getting over our jet lag.

Nell: It will take a few days but you will soon adapt.

Me: We will and it will be good to see Germany again.

Nell: You might even meet some old friends.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: The Hoffmanns are off to Germany for a short break.

Me: How lovely.

Nell: I’ve told them we can manage without them for a few days.

Me: Can you?

Nell: Of course. Stop fussing about us and get that case packed. You’ve a plane to catch.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Good morning from sunny Toronto.

Nell: I want a word with you.

Me: It’s lovely to see you and Dave enjoying the activity field.

Nell: Stop changing the subject. I’ve seen the photos.

Me: It was even better than it looks.

Nell: Am I right in thinking that you recklessly travelled in a small boat right into the watery depths of Niagara Falls yesterday?

Me: I had to have the Niagara Falls Experience, Nell.

Nell: Did you?

Me: Yes. It was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done in my life. I loved it.

Nell: You said you wouldn’t do anything foolish,

Me: I was absolutely safe. They knew what they were doing.

Nell: You were soaking wet.

Me: Yes, but look, I’m smiling.

Nell: I can’t believe you did that.

Me: I’m so glad I did. It was a long journey and we didn’t get home until really late last night but it was truly amazing.

Nell: Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself but don’t do it again.

Me: I can’t promise you that.

Nell: You fly to Berlin tomorrow, don’t you?

Me: Yes, I’m going to have to say goodbye to Canada and Chris and Shannon.

Nell: It’s not going to be easy.

Me: No, but it’s time for them to relax and enjoy married life now with Marvin.

Nell: I agree. It’s been a very busy time.

Me: It certainly has.

Nell: And you will be there for Faye’s first day of school.

Me: I will.

Nell: Are you flying with Air Canada?

Me: Yes, not via Iceland.

Nell: It’s a shame they don’t fly via Devon. You could have popped in to say hello.

Me: Now, you’re being silly.

Nell: We miss you. There’s nothing silly about that.

Me: Of course not. Sorry.

Me: Good morning. It looks really hot in Devon today.

Nell: It is. I told the Puppies to keep out of the sun but they wouldn’t listen.

Me: It’s not too hot here, thankfully.

Nell: It’s early for you, isn’t it?

Me: Yes. We’re about to leave to catch the train to Union station in downtown Toronto and then the Megabus to Niagara Falls.

Nell: I expect Jonathan and Faye are excited.

Me: We all are, to be honest.

Nell: Make sure to take lots of photos and don’t do anything silly.

Me: Of course I won’t. Stop worrying.

Nell: I can’t get over how high the buildings are.

Me: You get used to it.

Nell: The village is going to seem very small to you when you come home.

Me: Small is fine with me.

Nell: Apart from David.

Me: My Big Brave Beautiful Boy could never be small. Not even if he tried.

Nell: Lady Anwen’s been lurking at the bus stop again, by the way.

Me: Oh no.

Nell: She pretends to be a villager but everyone knows she isn’t.

Me: Wearing a veil isn’t exactly low key.

Nell: I’m tempted to go over and ask her what she wants.

Me: I wouldn’t, Nell. Best to leave it alone.

Nell: Sally wants Harriet to keep a close eye on her.

Me: I think Harriet should stay away from her, too.

Nell: She’s got a camera set up in your bedroom window. She’s quite safe.

Me: I don’t think I want to see any more photos of Lady Anwen, thank you.

Nell: They aren’t for you. Sally needs to know who she’s meeting.

Me: Oh, I see.

Nell: Anyway, forget about Lady Anwen for now, you’ve got Niagara Falls to visit. Don’t miss the train.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Morning.

Nell: We all know it isn’t.

Me: It is here in Toronto. In fact it’s quite early.

Nell: Don’t start. Tell me about Marvin. Those are lovely photos.

Me: It was wonderful to finally meet him. He’s a darling boy and so welcoming and waggy-tailed.

Nell: Of course. He’s been part of my online mentoring group since he was a puppy. He knows how to behave.

Me: He does.

Nell: What did you do?

Me: I went for a lovely walk with the newlyweds and then I got them to pose outside their house for the photos.

Nell: How are Chris and Shannon?

Me: Tired but happy.

Nell: It’s been a busy few days.

Me: It’s been a busy few months with all the preparations.

Nell: True.

Me: The last few days before the wedding were crazy. Chris spent most of his time at the airport collecting people.

Nell: Talking of airports, when are you flying to Berlin?

Me: On Friday. With Air Canada.

Nell: Not via Iceland this time, I hope?

Me: No. Via Frankfurt.

Nell: So what are your plans today?

Me: I’m not completely sure about today. We have different options depending on Chris and how tired he’s feeling.

Nell: Why?

Me: He went to see the band Oasis play last night. He’s been a fan since he was a little boy.

Nell: Another dream come true.

Me: Exactly. It’s been quite a few days for him.

Nell: It certainly has.

Me: But tomorrow we are off to Niagara Falls.

Nell: How exciting.

Me: Yes. I can’t wait.

Nell: Make sure you take photos and please don’t do anything reckless.

Me: Like what?

Nell: Like going in a boat.

Me: I might do that. It’s supposed to be great fun.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: Sorry.

Me: Did I wake you?

Nell: David and I were just having a post lunch nap. Those are very tall buildings.

Me: Yes, they are. Toronto is a big bustling city.

Nell: I can see that.

Me: A lot of films and television series set in New York were actually filmed here.

Nell: Fortunately ‘Sherlock Bones and the Handsome Hound’ is set in Devon so there’s no need for skyscrapers.

Me: I’m not sure we have any skyscrapers in Devon.

Nell: We have Dartmoor and the sea. That’s enough for anyone,

Me: True. Do you know when filming is going to start?

Nell: Probably not for a few weeks.

Me: Good. I’ll be back by then.

Nell: I certainly hope so. You’ve been away far too long already.

Me: It’s only been a week, Nell.

Nell: What are your plans today?

Me: Alice, Andre and the children are off to Toronto Zoo for the day.

Nell: What about you?

Me: I’m going over to Chris’s to walk Marvin.

Nell: About time.

Me: It was all too busy before with the wedding but now things have quietened down.

Nell: Marvin won’t want to go near any skyscrapers.

Me: I know. We’re just going to walk in the park.

Nell: Lovely. Would you pass on best wishes from his Aunt Nell, please?

Me: Of course.

Nell: And from David and Harriet, too.

Me: I will.

Nell: He’s a sensitive animal so don’t overwhelm him.

Me: I won’t. Don’t worry.

Nell: Not every animal is as cuddle hungry as David.

Me: I know. Did you enjoy your Sunday roast yesterday?

Nell: Very much, thank you. There was enough beef left over for sandwiches today.

Me: No wonder you and Dave needed a nap.

Nell: We were merely resting our eyes.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: What time do you call this? We’ve been to Sunday Songs and are about to tuck in to roast beef.

Me: I didn’t get to bed until 3am.

Nell: That’s outrageous. You’re a grandmother.

Me: The dancing went on until late and I was too excited to sleep. It was a wonderful wedding.

Nell: I’m glad.

Me: So much love for Chris and Shannon.

Nell: Faye looks lovely in her flower girl dress.

Me: Faye and Jonathan walked down the aisle before the bride. She was supposed to scatter petals but she froze until Jonathan reminded her.

Nell: How sweet.

Me: Everybody clapped.

Nell: I like the cake, especially the little Marvin.

Me: Yes.

Nell: What about the happy couple? Do you have any photos of them?

Me: I was too wrapped up in it all and there was a photographer, so I’m waiting for those. Chris sent me the photo of Shannon and her bridesmaids this morning.

Nell: Shannon looks beautiful.

Me: Yes. Faye said, ‘Shannon, you’re a princess!’ And she was.

Nell: Were there speeches?

Me: Chris wrote the most heartfelt vows and Alice gave a speech on behalf of our family.

Nell: What about you?

Me: I wrote a poem.

Nell: Please share it.

Me: ‘When you find the one

Who is meant for you,

You know in your heart

That dreams can come true.

So when Chris found Shannon

And Shannon found Chris,

They both knew life

Doesn’t get better than this.

And that’s why we’re here

On this special day,

To celebrate their marriage  

In a wonderful way.

Because all that matters

Is simply this:

Chris loves Shannon

And Shannon loves Chris. ‘

Nell: Perfect.

Me: They’re a perfect couple.

Nell: Good. Can I get back to my roast beef now?

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Me: Good morning. The Big Day has finally arrived.

Nell: It arrived hours ago.

Me: I didn’t go to bed until gone midnight so I slept in.

Nell: Good. You’re going to be partying into the night again this evening,

Me: I know.

Nell: How was the Pre-Wedding party?

Me: Lovely. I met up with old friends and made new ones.

Nell: I hope you behaved. You’re the Mother of the Groom.

Me: Of course I did. I’m saving the dancing for this evening.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: This is such a happy day, Nell. Shannon and Chris are made for each other.

Nell: Yes, they are. Marvin has written a poem for them.

Me: How lovely.

Nell: He has asked me to share it with you all.

Me: Please do.

Nell: ‘Dear Mom, dear Dad,

I just wanted to say

I’m sending you love

On your Wedding Day.

I wouldn’t be here

If it wasn’t for you.

When you gave me a home

All my dreams came true.

There’s nothing better

Than finding your one

And knowing your life together 

Has only just begun.

Have a wonderful wedding

Full of happiness and joy

And then come home to me,

Your darling sweet boy.’

Me: They’re going to love it.

Nell: Yes. So what are the plans?

Me: The wedding isn’t until this evening so the bride and her bridesmaids are coming over to our house later to get ready as it’s right next to the venue.

Nell: What about the groom?

Me: Chris is keeping well out of the way. He mustn’t see the dress.

Nell: Of course not. I expect you’re feeling rather emotional.

Me: Yes. I’m afraid there will be tears later. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries today. Happy tears are exactly right for a day like this.

Me: Good morning. How are you today?

Nell: It’s afternoon, but I’ll let it go.

Me: Not here, it isn’t.

Nell: So, only one day to go before the wedding. How is everyone doing? It’s nice to see Alice and the children, by the way.

Me: Excited and a little tired. It’s much hotter today.

Nell: You’ll perk up after a cup of tea and some cereal.

Me: Yes. Chris is coming over for breakfast. He and the groomsmen are going out to the Toronto Islands for the day.

Nell: Make sure he wears a hat and puts on sunscreen. We don’t want a sunburnt groom.

Me: Don’t worry. He’s had his instructions from the multiple women in his life.

Nell: Multiple women?

Me: His wife-to-be, mother and sister.

Nell: I’m not surprised he’s going to the Islands.

Me: We’re just looking out for him. You’re the same.

Nell: True. What are your plans today?

Me: Last minute preparations for tomorrow and a pre-wedding drinks party this evening.

Nell: Do you have your wardrobe sorted?

Me: Yes. I’ve put all my clothes away.

Nell: I was talking about what you’re going to wear this evening. The Cat was asking.

Me: I’m wearing the blue dress Kev likes.

Nell: Good. Send photos if you can.

Me: Talking of photos, I see my Big Brave Beautiful Boy is sitting in my chair.

Nell: David’s been banned from the kitchen after Eating by Mistake.

Me: It can happen.

Nell: Herr Hoffmann says the roasted chicken had two legs when he placed it in the refrigerator.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: David claims the leg fell off when he was reaching for a carrot.

Me: Maybe it did?

Nell: This was clearly Eating by Intention. No mistake about it. Stop defending him.

Me: Yes. Sorry.