Me: Look at The Puppies sleeping side by side. Isn’t it the sweetest thing you ever saw?
Nell: They’re not puppies. They’re 8 years old.
Me: They’re The Puppies to me.
Nell: Fine. I’ve heard you and Alice call Chris ‘The Boy’ and he’s 37, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
Me: We’ve always called him that. He doesn’t mind. He knows it’s meant affectionately. Do you mind being called ‘Noodle’?
Nell: I’m used to it. I have so many names.
Me: Yes. Charlotte calls you ‘Nellata’ and I sometimes call you ‘Nellifar’ and Rupert calls you ‘Nelly’.
Nell: Kev calls me ‘Sweetie’ and ‘My dove’.
Me: He calls me that, too.
Nell: Only occasionally. It’s mostly me.
Me: Is it?
Nell: Everyone in your family has different names.
Me: It’s a Welsh thing along with a love of making up stories.
Nell: And singing.
Me: We Welsh love to sing.
Nell: Talking of singing, there’s been a request to move Sunday Songs into the Village Hall during the colder months.
Me: What a good idea.
Nell: There will have to be less dancing, but otherwise it should be fine.
Me: Will the llamas cope without cartwheeling?
Nell: They’ll have to. Life is all about compromises.
Me: True.
Nell: Now I know I’m an easy-going, tolerant sort of animal.
Me: Are you?
Nell: I shall ignore that. Where was I?
Me: You were easy-going.
Nell: Yes, but I can’t be easy-going about my tea.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: The village hall doesn’t provide Earl Grey.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: Only Builder’s tea, whatever that is.
Me: It’s just a strong cup of normal tea.
Nell: I need Earl Grey with a slice of lemon.
Me: Didn’t you just say you were easy-going?
Nell: Not about tea.
Me: Right. Sorry.
