Nell: That’s Poppy.
Me: Yes. Kev found this photo of her and it’s so adorable I can’t stop looking at it.
Nell: Well, you can stop right now.
Me: Why?
Nell: It’s making you sad. I can tell.
Me: I still miss her.
Nell: We all do. I’d miss her more if I didn’t have her barking orders at me every day but there we are.
Me: How is she?
Nell: Busy and bossy. She’s keeping the Guardians on their toes.
Me: I bet they’re enjoying that.
Nell: I’m not at all sure they are. She says Mutley simply refused to cooperate and went and played his piano.
Me: Does Mutley have a piano up there?
Nell: He has a whole swing band.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: They were fairly ancient when Mutley was still down here with us.
Me: I suppose they were.
Nell: And now they’ve joined him.
Me: I like the idea of them all making sweet music together.
Nell: Poppy isn’t too pleased. She’s a heavy metal girl.
Me: I remember. Will you say hello from me?
Nell: I will.
Me: And tell her I miss her.
Nell: She knows. Now, how are you today?
Me: A bit sore, to be perfectly honest. I landed right on my tailbone so that’s hurting a lot.
Nell: Lucky we’ve still got your special cushion from the last time you did that.
Me: Yes. It was during Covid and Tony the Postman was at the gate. The Puppies rushed out and swept me off my feet.
Nell: I remember.
Me: Today is a day of Rememberings, isn’t it?
Nell: Every day is when you get older.
Me: True.
Nell: Enough looking back for now. It’s time to look forward. Herr Hoffmann has made croissants for breakfast.
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
