Me: Guess what?

Nell: I don’t do Guessing.

Me: Harriet is taking me spying tonight.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Harriet says I can join her on a mission.

Nell: I don’t believe you.

Me: It’s true.

Nell: You’re a terrible spy.

Me: That’s a little unkind.

Nell: There’s more to this than you’re telling me.

Me: Fine. The spying might be going on from my bedroom window.

Nell: The bedroom where you sleep?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Where you most probably will be asleep as it’s nighttime?

Me: I’m going to try and stay awake.

Nell: I presume Harriet told you that you could spy from your bed?

Me: Yes. She said I can even lie down.

Nell: And all the lights will be out?

Me: Of course. Although we may have a few candles.

Nell: I’m guessing the spying is on Lady Anwen at the bus stop?

Me: You said you didn’t do Guessing.

Nell: I’m making an exception,

Me: You’re right. We’ve got a special camera which is going to get us a proper photo of Lady Anwen’s nasty side.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: Harriet says Sally thinks Lady Anwen has a dangerously nasty side at night.

Nell: She has a nasty side in the day.

Me: This one is really scary.

Nell: You don’t like scary.

Me: That’s why I’m doing the spying from my bed.

Nell: Under the covers?

Me: Yes.

Nell: With David lying next to you?

Me: Yes, and Harriet with the camera at the window.

Nell: You’re already feeling a little scared, aren’t you?

Me: I don’t like the idea of an even nastier Lady Anwen.

Nell: Everything will be fine. Harriet has it all under control and you can cuddle David. He’ll be feeling scared, too.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: You know when I was talking to you just now?

Nell: Yes.

Me: I was telling you about Niagara Falls and how amazing it was.

Nell: Yes, I remember. You were going into a lot of detail.

Me: You closed your eyes and fell asleep.

Nell: I did not.

Me: You did, Nell. I’m sure of it.

Nell: I might have rested my eyes for a moment.

Me: Have I been talking a bit too much since I came home?

Nell: Why do you think that?

Me: Dave fell asleep, too.

Nell: Oh, I see.

Me: Kev went for a lie down.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: Harriet stayed awake.

Nell: There you are.

Me: But she’s a trained spy,

Nell: True.

Me: I think I might need to do a little more listening and a little less talking.

Nell: We understand you have a lot to tell us.

Me: Yes, I do. Almost three weeks of things.

Nell: But nobody is going anywhere so you have plenty of time.

Me: Yes, I do.

Nell: And we love listening to you.

Me: Do you really?

Nell: Of course. Listening to you telling your stories was one of the things we missed most when you were away.

Me: That’s good to hear.

Nell: We knew you would be telling them to the grandchildren.

Me: I was, and they were often about you all.

Nell: We thought they would be.

Me: You were always on my mind.

Nell: As I said before, the sound of your voice is something we love. It calms us down.

Me: I didn’t realise. I’m glad.

Nell: So if we close our eyes for a moment when you’re talking it just means we are safe and relaxed.

Me: You were snoring.

Nell: Very relaxed.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: It’s good to be home again.

Nell: It’s good to have you home.

Me: Dave hasn’t left my side.

Nell: I know. He’s asked for breakfast on a tray. Can you believe the cheek of the animal?

Me: Harriet lost her voice through happiness when I walked through the door and just squeaked at me.

Nell: I have to say I might have had a little difficulty in speaking myself.

Me: I was the same, Nell. I’ve missed you all more than words can say.

Nell: We’ve missed you, too.

Me: When I got off the train and Kev came towards me we just fell into each other’s arms and hugged for ages ignoring all the people around us.

Nell: Like a pair of teenagers.

Me: It was just a hug, Nell. We haven’t been apart for this long since we met, and that’s over 18 years ago.

Nell: Well, you’re not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

Me: No, I’m not. I’ve had a wonderful time and made so many precious memories but it was time to come home.

Nell: Were the grandchildren very sad?

Me: They have far too many exciting things ahead like school and playing with their friends to miss their old granny.

Nell: I’m not sure you’re right about that. Granny cuddles are the best.

Me: I wish they lived nearer.

Nell: We all do, but they don’t. So there’s no point in dwelling on it.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: I usually am. Now, Herr Hoffmann thinks you’ve had enough German breakfasts so a bacon sandwich might be the wisest choice, even though it’s not the weekend.

Me: Herr Hoffmann said that? Not you, or Dave?

Nell: David and I were in agreement with him. Bacon is never the wrong choice.

Me: No. Sorry.

Me: Good morning from sunny Germany.

Nell: The sun hasn’t been up for long.

Me: I know it’s very early but I wanted to talk to you before I left for the airport.

Nell: Don’t worry. We’ve been awake for ages.

Me: Oh dear. Is everything ok?

Nell: Of course it is. You’re finally coming home.

Me: Yes, I am, aren’t I?

Nell: None of us could stay asleep. David has been looking out of the window since first thing and has had to have two breakfasts to keep him going.

Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: And Harriet has been monitoring the front door just in case you’re early.

Me: I won’t be home until late afternoon, Nell. My flight doesn’t land in Heathrow until lunchtime and then I’ve got to travel to London Paddington to catch the train down to Devon.

Nell: I know but we don’t mind at all. Waiting is half the fun in this case.

Me: What about Sunday Songs?

Nell: We’re still going, but our minds are not going to be on the singing.

Me: That’s understandable.

Nell: How was Faye’s Big First Day at School?

Me: It was wonderful. Lots of families celebrating their children.

Nell: Just as it should be.

Me: Faye looked like a little princess.

Nell: Which is exactly what she is.

Me: Yes. I’m so glad that I could be in Germany to celebrate with them all.

Nell: I’m sure they were delighted to have you there.

Me: I got lots and lots of cuddles.

Nell: Get used to it. David isn’t going to leave your side.

Me: Bless him.

Nell: And neither is Harriet.

Me: Bless her. What about you?

Nell: You and me. Always. Now stop chatting to me and get yourself home.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Faye’s Big Day has finally arrived.

Me: Yes. We’re about to go over to the school where the headmaster will be welcoming the new pupils.

Nell: I expect there’s a little excitement going on.

Me: There certainly is.

Nell: You know Kev calls Faye ‘Rainbow’?

Me: Yes.

Nell: He saw a rainbow over the village on his walk with the other dogs.

Me: Perfect.

Nell: So, what happens after the welcome?

Me: The children in Faye’s class go to their classroom briefly with their new teacher and then their families give them a huge cone filled with presents.

Nell: Take a photo if you can.

Me: I will. Although Alice isn’t keen on the children’s faces being posted on social media.

Nell: I understand.

Me: Jonathan will get a few presents too as the older brother.

Nell: Good.

Me: After the present-giving we all go home and in the afternoon we have a big party.

Nell: You’re going to be very tired by the time you get home.

Me: Yes. It’s been a busy and truly eventful few weeks.

Nell: It certainly has.

Me: Full of happiness and precious time with the family.

Nell: Indeed. You’re making memories you will treasure for ever.

Me: I am.

Nell: And so are they.

Me: Yes.

Nell: Please give the new schoolgirl a big hug from us all.

Me: I will.

Nell: And make sure you don’t get to bed too late. You’ve got an early start tomorrow.

Me: Yes. Alice and I have to leave for the airport just after 7am.

Nell: But today is all about Faye. Go and enjoy yourself and make the most of your time with the family.

Me: I will. I’m going to miss them so much.

Nell: That’s tomorrow. Concentrate on today.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: I’ve been thinking about water.

Nell: Are you thirsty?

Me: Not that kind of water.

Nell: What are you talking about?

Me: How even when you’re far away you can still be connected by shared experiences.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: I’m over here in Germany and I’m sitting watching families enjoying the lake when Kev sends me photos of you and Harriet and I can see Harriet enjoying the water like the families are here.

Nell: You’re rambling on again.

Me: And the thing that connects us all is water.

Nell: I wasn’t in the water. Harriet was.

Me: I know.

Nell: However, if you want to talk about water it’s raining again here.

Me: It is here, too. We’re hoping it’s going to stop by the afternoon so we can get things ready for Faye’s party.

Nell: Is Faye excited?

Me: Very. When you’re young some things are almost too exciting to bear.

Nell: I feel a little like that about you coming home.

Me: Do you really?

Nell: Yes. It’s been too long.

Me: Only two more sleeps to go, Nell.

Nell: Don’t go away again any time soon.

Me: I won’t. Don’t worry.

Nell: Is Faye having a lot of people at her party?

Me: Yes. Quite a few friends and neighbours and Pete, one of Uncle Darling’s Best Men who lives near by.

Nell: Uncle Darling?

Me: Didn’t you know Faye calls Chris ‘Uncle Darling’?

Nell: No. How sweet.

Me: Yes. It’s adorable.

Nell: It’s difficult when your family lives in different countries, isn’t it?

Me: It is, but as long as everyone is happy and we keep in touch, it’s manageable.

Nell: Thank goodness for the internet.

Me: Yes, it connects us just like water.

Nell: Here we go again.

Me: Sorry.

Me: Good morning from sunny Germany. My darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy is looking rather worried.

Nell: David is hoping for bacon.

Me: But it’s Thursday.

Nell: Exactly. No chance. Bacon is for weekends and special occasions. That’s a lovely photo of Alice.

Me: Yes. We went to lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant near her apartment and it was absolutely delicious.

Nell: I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves.

Me: We did. I had one of the best chicken curries I’ve ever eaten. Fragrant and delicious.

Nell: Talking of lunch, The Cat has invited me to the Stately Home today for a light lunch.

Me: How kind of it.

Nell: Stephen Seagull will be joining us.

Me: Stephen Seagull? Are you serious?

Nell: We’re discussing costumes for the upcoming film.

Me: It’s bound to be fish.

Nell: What are you talking about?

Me: Lunch with a seagull and a cat can only mean fish.

Nell: A light lunch is quiche and salad.

Me: I bet I’m right.

Nell: Never mind the fish. It is what it is. The main concern is the costumes.

Me: They looked lovely in the publicity photos.

Nell: I agree but Stephen wants to add colour.

Me: I’m not sure bright colours are very Sherlockian.

Nell: They aren’t.

Me: So you’re calling him Stephen now, are you?

Nell: It’s his name.

Me: Are you best buddies?

Nell: Don’t be silly. One cannot be buddies with a Beefy.

Me: True.

Nell: What are your plans today?

Me: We’re getting ready for the big party on Saturday.

Nell: I expect Faye is excited.

Me: She is.

Nell: Starting school is a very important milestone in life. I’m glad you can be there.

Me: So am I. Enjoy your fish and say hello to Stevie from me.

Nell: Enough.

Me: Sorry.

Me: What are the Puppies doing?

Nell: You really need to stop calling them puppies. They’re 8 years old. They’ll be veterans from next year.

Me: They’re always going to be the Puppies to me. What are they doing in the stream?

Nell: Investigating.

Me: Investigating what? Has there been a crime?

Nell: Lady Anwen is back at the bus stop and nobody likes it.

Me: That’s not a crime. And that’s not a bus stop. It’s a stream.

Nell: Obviously.

Me: Dave is climbing up the bank. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. Look at his little head.

Nell: David’s head is not little and he is simply being thorough. It’s all good practice.

Me: Practise for what?

Nell: Goodness me. You’re full of questions this morning.

Me: Maybe I’m investigating too?

Nell: Don’t be silly. You’re in Germany.

Me: Why do Dave and Harriet need to practise?

Nell: Filming is going to start soon for ‘Sherlock Bones and the Handsome Hound’.

Me: I’d forgotten about that.

Nell: We hadn’t.

Me: But Dave and Harriet aren’t detectives. He’s the Handsome Hound and she’s the Mysterious Mademoiselle. It’s Nigel who should be investigating, He’s Dr Watson.

Nell: Have you quite finished?

Me: Yes.

Nell: We have reason to believe Lady Anwen may be involved in the film in some capacity.

Me: Oh no.

Nell: Quite.

Me: Snoofling around in the stream isn’t going to help.

Nell: You don’t know that. They might find something and it cools their noses.

Me: I suppose as long as they’re having fun it doesn’t really matter.

Nell: It matters. Harriet still hasn’t been able to take a clear photo of Lady Anwen for Sally.

Me: Why?

Nell: She’s too clever.

Me: Who? Harriet?

Nell: No. Lady Anwen. She avoids being photographed.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Me: People are very kind, aren’t they?

Nell: Yes, if you allow them to be.

Me: I’d like to say a big thank you again for all the cups of Earl Grey. Your support means a great deal,

Nell: It does. We’re most grateful.

Me: We are.

Nell: Where was that photo taken? It looks beautiful.

Me: There’s a lake near Alice’s apartment where you can go to swim. It’s only a few minutes away.

Nell: Harriet would love it. She’d run straight into the water.

Me: Yes, she would, closely followed by Dave.

Nell: Did you go for a swim?

Me: We all did. It was so refreshing. Jonathan had an amazing time paddling around the lake on a paddle board.

Nell: Can he swim?

Me: Yes, he’s like Harriet. You can’t keep him out of the water.

Nell: It sounds perfect.

Me: It was.

Nell: Kev went over to see Nigel, by the way.

Me: Did he?

Nell: Yes. On his own.

Me: He’s allowed to go out on his own you know.

Nell: Nigel was only just here at the weekend. He didn’t need a visit.

Me: Nigel loves Kev.

Nell: Everyone loves Kev.

Me: You’re still his special girl if that’s what you’re worried about.

Nell: I’m not worried.

Me: There’s plenty of room in Kev’s heart for all of you, including Nigel. There’s no need to be jealous.

Nell: I’m not jealous.

Me: If you say so.

Nell: I do.

Me: Only I thought your eyes looked a little green.

Nell: Very funny.

Me: It’s good to share the love, Nell.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: Stop being such a curmudgeon and join in.

Nell: Curmudgeon?

Me: You know what I mean.

Nell: I know you need to come home.

Me: I will soon. Sorry.

Me: I can’t believe it’s the first of September.

Nell: Well, it is.

Me: I must confess I had a little cry when Charlotte sent me these photos and I saw your darling faces.

Nell: I thought you might do. We had a lovely walk by the river.

Me: I can see that. I’m just missing you all. It’s been quite a long time since I saw you.

Nell: Kev says this is the longest time you’ve been apart since you first met.

Me: I suppose it is.

Nell: Nigel misbehaved as usual.

Me: Oh no. What did he do?

Nell: Rolled in fox poo a few minutes after getting out of the car.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: It was tomato ketchup and a bath for him when he got home. Now, it’s the first of the month so you know what you need to do.

Me: Share the link to the website where people can support my writing with a cup of Earl Grey.

Nell: Exactly. You post a new conversation every single day. Even when you’re jet lagged or half way across the world at your son’s wedding.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. And thank you so much in advance.

Nell: Well done. What are your plans today?

Me: I’m not sure. We may go to the lake for a swim if the weather is nice.

Nell: Did you sleep any better?

Me: I was awake for a couple of hours in the night but I read my book and did some writing so it was fine.

Nell: Take it easy, please.

Me: I will. Don’t worry about me.

Nell: Easier said than done, as you well know.

Me: I do. I’m a dreadful worrier.

Nell: We’re all doing well. You can see that from the photos.

Me: Yes. Sorry.