Me: Happy First Advent.
Nell: The same to you.
Me: It’s good to see Nigel relaxing.
Nell: Is it?
Me: You were really unwelcoming to him.
Nell: Naughty animals need to be reprimanded or they’ll never learn.
Me: You can be too strict sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes.
Nell: Not all the time.
Me: You’re getting grumpy in your old age.
Nell: Only when provoked.
Me: Nigel only walked into the room.
Nell: It was enough to annoy me at the time.
Me: I think you should be kinder.
Nell: It is what it is.
Me: Fortunately he doesn’t seem to mind. I think he’s used to you.
Nell: He doesn’t listen.
Me: You showed your teeth.
Nell: Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t.
Me: You definitely did.
Nell: Moving on, at today’s Sunday Songs we will be celebrating First Advent and we will be lighting the first candle.
Me: Lovely.
Nell: First Advent symbolises Hope.
Me: Well, I Hope you’re going to be kinder to Nigel.
Nell: And I Hope naughty animals mend their ways.
Me: What is eaten traditionally at First Advent?
Nell: Bacon sandwiches for breakfast followed by roast beef with all the trimmings for lunch and beef sandwiches for supper.
Me: I’m not sure that’s traditional.
Nell: You can’t get more traditional.
Me: I mean for advent. In Germany you put a plate of sweet treats with Lebkuchen on the table to share.
Nell: They have gingerbread and we have Yorkshire puddings.
Me: I’m not sure everyone has Yorkshire puddings.
Nell: Well, they should. A roast isn’t a roast without them.
Me: You can’t put a plate of Yorkshire puddings in the middle of the table.
Nell: Not without gravy.
Me: Not at all.
Nell: You can’t have Yorkshires without gravy. Do keep up.
Me: Sorry.
