Me: Do you know what I’ve decided?
Nell: No, tell me.
Me: In times of stress all I need to do is go for a walk with Harriet.
Nell: Why Harriet? What about me and David?
Me: I love walking with all of you but Harriet’s exuberance and enthusiasm is infectious. She shows me the joy in living and simply being.
Nell: Good Grief. You’re rather philosophical for this time of the morning.
Me: I need to be. This looming Air Canada strike is truly dreadful.
Nell: Has your flight been cancelled?
Me: Not yet, but there’s a warning on the website it might be and the real strike starts tomorrow.
Nell: What are you going to do if it is cancelled?
Me: Chris has found me another flight via Iceland.
Nell: Iceland?
Me: Yes. It means flying from Gatwick, not Heathrow, and leaving Monday, not Tuesday, but it gets me to Toronto by Tuesday evening.
Nell: Well, that’s the main thing.
Me: It is. I’m still hoping they come to an agreement and my flight won’t be cancelled.
Nell: Yes. Thousands of people are going to be stranded if this strike goes ahead.
Me: I know. It’s a nightmare.
Nell: There’s nothing we can do at the moment but wait, so I suggest we focus on Kev’s birthday tomorrow.
Me: Good idea.
Nell: I’m working on a poem and David is working on a song with the Big Cat Vibe.
Me: Excellent.
Nell: Lunch at the Cottage Hotel is booked and dinner at the pub.
Me: Lovely.
Nell: Champagne and canapés will be served in the garden at six during the Royal Owl Force flyover. Hats must be worn.
Me: You’re certainly pulling out all the stops.
Nell: It’s Kev’s birthday. Nothing is too much.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
