Me: Happy Birthday Alice.
Nell: Yes, Happy Birthday from us all. Go on, say it.
Me: Say what?
Nell: You can’t believe Alice is 41 today,
Me: I really can’t.
Nell: Neither can I, to be honest. Those are lovely photos.
Me: I love the one of Alice and Harriet.
Nell: Are the others from this summer in Canada?
Me: Yes.
Nell: I’m so glad you could all be together.
Me: It was such a special time.
Nell: I’ve written a poem for Alice. Would you like to hear it?
Me: Very much.
Nell: Here it is:
‘I can’t believe it.’
‘Neither can I.
It simply can’t be true.
How did our Alice
Get to be 42?’
‘She isn’t 42.
She’s only 41.’
‘That’s still a big surprise
When all is said and done.’
‘It is, time flies.
There’s nothing we can do.
We’d best start celebrating
Before the day is through.’
‘We need candles.
We need cake.
We need champagne
For goodness sake.’
‘We don’t need champagne.
All we really have to do
Is wish her a Happy Birthday.
And tell her we love her too.
It’s not presents, or cake,
That matter, you see,
But being loved
And knowing
You always will be.’
Me: Yes, that’s absolutely true, although I wouldn’t say no to a glass of champagne later.
Nell: You can have roast chicken with all the trimmings followed by apple crumble instead.
Me: With custard, or cream?
Nell: Yes.
Me: Have you invited Lionel King?
Nell: I have, and Bobby Socks and Lady Anwen.
Me: Let’s see what they choose.
Nell: Let’s see if we actually get any crumble this time.
Me: I hope The Crumble Thief doesn’t strike again.
Nell: Let’s concentrate on celebrating Alice. If the thief strikes again, we’re ready.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
