Me: It’s impossible to imagine Dave without Harriet and Harriet without Dave.

Nell: It is.

Me: They’ve always been together. They don’t know anything else.

Nell: Of course they don’t.

Me: We were only going to take Dave home with us. I fell in love with him at first sight. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: And you never fell out of love.

Me: I didn’t. Then Kev met Harriet. A tiny little thing half the size of her brothers and sisters and a quarter of the size of Dave.

Nell: And Harriet chose him.

Me: She did. The breeder was very worried about her and so thankful that we decided to take both of them.

Nell: I remember you telling me. Shame you didn’t tell me before you brought them home.

Me: Why?

Nell: I might have liked to visit my sister Maisie and meet my other nephews and nieces.

Me: We weren’t allowed to take you there.

Nell: I was born there.

Me: I know, but the puppies were too young for other dogs to visit them and it was a stud farm. You should be more relaxed around horses, if you think about it.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: You grew up surrounded by them.

Nell: So did David and Harriet.

Me: I suppose you weren’t there for long and it was a while ago.

Nell: I should have been consulted.

Me: But you said you dogs choose us?

Nell: We do.

Me: So Dave and Harriet were always going to be together.

Nell: Only because you and Kev listened. Not all people do.

Me: True.

Nell: Never underestimate the Importance of Listening to Your Heart. We couldn’t have chosen you otherwise.

Me: Was that a compliment?

Nell: No, it was a fact.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Dave and Harriet are leaving for their morning walk soon. Are we going to join them again?

Nell: No, I shall be giving it a miss today, thank you. I’m still recovering from yesterday’s encounter.

Me: It was rather exciting, wasn’t it?

Nell: You might find being stuck in a tiny lane with the whole of the hunt riding towards you exciting, but I found it extremely stressful.

Me: The riders were very polite and careful around us.

Nell: The horses were enormous. Especially the lead one who stood right next to us.

Me: It was protecting us from the hounds.

Nell: There were hundreds of them.

Me: No, there weren’t. It just felt like it.

Nell: Running everywhere.

Me: They were excited.

Nell: We were supposed to be enjoying a quiet walk.

Me: They were gone again really quickly.

Nell: They bounced David and Harriet, too, in the field at the top of the hill. Harriet told me all about it.

Me: They didn’t bounce anyone. You’re exaggerating.

Nell: Mad hooligans.

Me: They’re just full of energy.

Nell: I didn’t like it at all.

Me: We live in the countryside, Nell. The hunt is part of country life. Dave and Harriet didn’t mind.

Nell: David wanted to run with them. Silly animal.

Me: He is The Handsome Hound.

Nell: That’s acting.

Me: Well, I don’t mind as long as no animals are hurt.

Nell: I nearly twisted my paw.

Me: No, you didn’t.

Nell: You threw me into the hedge.

Me: I did not. I just moved you right out of the way and gave you a cuddle while the big horse stood guard.

Nell: I had twigs and leaves all over my fur.

Me: I was protecting you, Nell.

Nell: I was frightened.

Me: I know. Sorry.

Me: I’ve been thinking.

Nell: Here we go.

Me: Dave is right.

Nell: Are we talking about David Martin?

Me: There’s only one Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: Is this about bacon?

Me: No. Why?

Nell: David has been campaigning for more bacon.

Me: Has he?

Nell: He believes bacon shouldn’t just be for weekends.

Me: I disagree. You can have too much of a good thing.

Nell: Exactly what I said. So what’s David right about?

Me: Stopping to enjoy the view. Taking the time to appreciate your surroundings.

Nell: I see.

Me: We don’t pause and look enough. We take things for granted. Look at all the beauty around us.

Nell: Not everyone is as lucky as we are.

Me: You’re right and I’m truly thankful to live where we do but Beauty can be found everywhere if you look hard enough.

Nell: Maybe.

Me: I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older but I seem to appreciate Nature far more nowadays.

Nell: Yes. Everything becomes a little more precious.

Me: It does.

Nell: Including time.

Me: Absolutely.

Nell: Which is why I can’t sit here any longer chatting to you.

Me: Do you have somewhere else to be?

Nell: I do, actually.

Me: Where?

Nell: The stately home. Rupert’s taking me in the sidecar.

Me: Why?

Nell: The Cat wants to talk Christmas.

Me: But it’s still November.

Nell: There are only 37 days until Christmas.

Me: Oh dear.

Nell: Quite. And only 33 days until the family arrive.

Me: Oh my goodness.

Nell: There’s so much that needs to be done.

Me: I suppose there is.

Nell: Wellington boots, for instance. Everyone’s going to need a pair. Do you know their sizes?

Me: No.

Nell: Well, stop gazing around and find out.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Harriet isn’t happy with me.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: You and the Boy are fine.

Nell: What Boy?

Me: Dave. My Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: We’re all fine.

Me: Harriet isn’t.

Nell: Why wouldn’t she be?

Me: She’s looking at me with her gently reproachful face.

Nell: You’re not supposed to be downstairs yet.

Me: You and Dave aren’t bothered. You’re just interested in the bus stop.

Nell: We’re making sure the children are collected on time. They can’t be late for school.

Me: There’s nothing you can do about it.

Nell: Well, that’s where you’re wrong. Last time it was late we sent out a scout.

Me: A scout?

Nell: Yes.

Me: Do you mean a llama?

Nell: Certainly not. Llamas can’t be trusted to scout out anything. They’re far too skittish.

Me: Was it Knitwear Wolf? He’s not skittish.

Nell: Rupert is busy delivering the newspapers and dropping off cardigans in the mornings.

Me: So who was the scout? Was it you?

Nell: Are you serious? It takes me half an hour to walk up the lane nowadays.

Me: True.

Nell: It was Henry and Horst, if you must know, ably assisted by Walter Pigeon.

Me: The perfect team.

Nell: Exactly. Henry flew out on Walter’s hat and was able to inform Horst the bus had broken down.

Me: Using Louse Code?

Nell: Obviously. Then Horst told David.

Me: Because he has keen ears and can actually hear what a woodlouse is saying?

Nell: Exactly. And then David told Harriet and she told me and I told Kev and he told the village.

Me: Why didn’t you tell me?

Nell: You were upstairs writing.

Me: You could still have told me.

Nell: Go back upstairs, please, and let us do our job.

Me: Sorry.

Me: Dave and Harriet love their sunset walks.

Nell: They love their morning walks, too.

Me: You and I prefer an early afternoon stroll, don’t we?

Nell: Strolling down to the Village Hall for Sunday Songs will be more than enough for both of us today. Remember to wrap up, please.

Me: It’s starting to turn a little bit colder, isn’t it?

Nell: Yes. Thank goodness for the log burner.

Me: I agree, there’s nothing nicer than sitting in front of an open fire with a cup of tea and a piece of Frau Hoffmann’s apple cake.

Nell: I’m glad to see you’re doing a lot better.

Me: Thank you. It’s been a tough few days.

Nell: We’re going to have to do something about all this mud, by the way.

Me: What mud?

Nell: Resident and Visiting Animals are bringing mud into the house. Haven’t you noticed?

Me: Resident and Visiting?

Nell: It’s not only David and Harriet, you know. It’s surprising what damage a flamingo can do.

Me: Why are the flamingos still here? I thought they’d gone,

Nell: They knew Charlotte wasn’t coming over this weekend and they wanted to watch Strictly Come Dancing with everyone.

Me: But they stayed upstairs.

Nell: They’ve got a television up there and more room to dance.

Me: Dance?

Nell: Flamingos can’t watch Strictly without dancing. Do keep up.

Me: Was anyone else upstairs?

Nell: You must have heard The Big Cat Vibe?

Me: I might have seen Beauregard and another tiger going upstairs, come to think of it.

Nell: I found them lounging on the bunk beds this morning.

Me: It’s Sunday. Everyone is entitled to a lie-in.

Nell: I told them to get downstairs and help with peeling the vegetables. Sunday roasts don’t make themselves.

Me: You’re right. Sorry.

Me: Look at Marvin in Toronto. All snuggled up in a warm blanket. Bless him.

Nell: Which is exactly what you’re going to be doing today.

Me: Did you hear me last night?

Nell: Yes, I did.

Me: I think it’s just a tummy bug, but it’s nasty.

Nell: There are lots of them going around at this time of year.

Me: I’m still not feeling very well, to be honest.

Nell: Of course you’re not. You were up all night.

Me: In the middle of the night I thought I might not even be able to share a conversation this morning. It was such a worry.

Nell: That’s what was worrying you?

Me: It’s important to me not to let people down.

Nell: I should have thought you had other more pressing problems to deal with.

Me: All I can say is thank goodness for books.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: When I realised I wasn’t going to be getting much sleep I put the light on and read.

Nell: Well, you’re going to be sleeping today. No arguments.

Me: I don’t have the strength to argue, Nell.

Nell: Good. I’m going to organise around the clock care.

Me: Dave’s been keeping an eye on me.

Nell: David will be on night duty later but for now he needs to eat his second breakfast

Me: Right.

Nell: Well out of the way of you.

Me: Yes, please.

Nell: I’ll stay this morning and Harriet will do the afternoon.

Me: Dave could still pop in for a cuddle, couldn’t he?

Nell: Not if he’s smelling of bacon.

Me: No.

Nell: Maybe after his walk. You can probably deal with the smell of woodlands.

Me: I can.

Nell: But no mud on the bed. Remember last time?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Where did you go yesterday afternoon?

Me: I went for a long walk.

Nell: Without us?

Me: Dave and Harriet had just been for a walk with Kev and I knew you were going for a short one later.

Nell: You shouldn’t go on walks without one of us.

Me: Why not? Very occasionally I just want some alone time.

Nell: Why?

Me: To collect my thoughts.

Nell: Good luck with that.

Me: You might be right and actually it felt rather strange without you.

Nell: I could have told you that.

Me: It’s just that you and I have to go on very short walks now, Nell, and I really needed a long one.

Nell: I would prefer it if you took one of the Puppies.

Me: I can’t manage Dave on my own and it didn’t seem fair to only take Harriet.

Nell: I don’t like you walking alone. David will understand. Or you could take a llama?

Me: I’ll take Harriet next time.

Nell: Good. Now, it’s Friday today.

Me: Yes. My favourite day of the week.

Nell: What do you feel about pizza in front of the television this evening?

Me: Sounds perfect to me.

Nell: I’ve invited Lionel King and Lady Anwen.

Me: You’ve done what?

Nell: They were going to be spending the evening alone with a ready meal for one otherwise.

Me: You don’t know that.

Nell: I overheard them discussing it at the bus stop.

Me: I don’t trust either of them.

Nell: What day of the week is it?

Me: Friday.

Nell: And what day of the week were you born?

Me: Friday.

Nell: And what is Friday’s Child?

Me: Loving and giving.

Nell: I rest my case. The least you can do is share a pizza.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: The countryside is looking really beautiful at the moment. All those lovely colours. We’re very lucky to live where we do, aren’t we?

Nell: We are.

Me: Dave has an Enquiring Mind, doesn’t he?

Nell: Does he?

Me: Yes. When he’s out on his walk he likes to look around and see what’s going on.

Nell: He’s still looking for Frankie even though I’ve told him she’s moved to France.

Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. Such a caring animal.

Nell: I see David as more of an Explorer than a Thinker.

Me: You can explore things with your mind.

Nell: Not in this case. David has always been an active explorer.

Me: You’re probably right. I don’t think Dave ponders on things for too long.

Nell: Which is probably for the best. Too much pondering isn’t good for anyone.

Me: I’ve been thinking about Lady Anwen.

Nell: My point exactly.

Me: Now her Nice side has defeated her Nasty one she must be struggling a little with not being her true self.

Nell: Why?

Me: We all have good and bad sides, Nell. Unless we’re a saint, or Knitwear Wolf. I don’t think he has a bad bone in his body.

Nell: Rupert is exceptional.

Me: He’s a jolly good egg.

Nell: Rupert is nothing like an egg. How on earth could you compare him to that?

Me: It’s just a saying. Anyway, sometimes we need to let our naughty selves out. Just for a quick airing.

Nell: No, we do not.

Me: You have a naughty side. I’ve seen it.

Nell: I do not.

Me: You startled a passing llama this morning with a sharp bark. It jumped in the air.

Nell: Llamas need the adrenalin rush. I was doing it a favour.

Me: I see. Sorry.

Me: Did you see the sweet photos Chris sent me?

Nell: No. Show me.

Me: Can you believe it’s snowing in Toronto?

Nell: Isn’t that rather early, even for Canada?

Me: Shannon was surprised. She says the temperature is going up again soon so it won’t last long.

Nell: Good to hear. Winter can wait.

Me: Look at darling Marvin’s face. Isn’t it adorable? You can see the love between him and Chris. It warms my heart.

Nell: Marvin is surrounded by love which is just as it should be after the rough start he had in life.

Me: Yes.

Nell: When he was found by the roadside in Texas he was only days away from losing his life.

Me: I don’t like to think about that too much. It makes me very sad.

Nell: It makes me sad, too, but also hopeful as this is a story with a happy ending.

Me: It is, and photos like these are there to be treasured.

Nell: Thank goodness it’s easy to take photos nowadays and share them.

Me: I’m so thankful for the internet. It means we can keep in touch with family and friends wherever they are in the world.

Nell: We certainly couldn’t share our conversations without it.

Me: You’re right. I would miss everyone.

Nell: So would I.

Me: It would just be us.

Nell: It is us.

Me: You know what I mean.

Nell: I do.

Me: We’ve a built a community of like-minded people, Nell, and it’s a really lovely one.

Nell: It is. Do you realise we’ve been sharing our Conversations since 2018?

Me: Yes. You were only 6 when we started and the Puppies were actual puppies.

Nell: Maybe we should stop reminiscing and start sharing these photos with everyone?

Me: You’re right. Sorry.

Nell: You’re not going to believe this.

Me: I might. Tell me what’s happened.

Nell: According to the Beefy network, Frankie the Flamingo has been sighted in France.

Me: France?

Nell: Yes. Brittany to be exact.

Me: But that’s over 100 miles away from where she was last seen in Cornwall.

Nell: I know.

Me: How did she manage to fly there with clipped wings?

Nell: Determination and youthful exuberance.

Me: When you say Beefy network, what exactly do you mean?

Nell: The Beefies have been working closely with their French colleagues.

Me: Are we talking about NOIR?

Nell: I said you wouldn’t believe it.

Me: The Notorious Organisation of International Rooks?

Nell: Yes.

Me: I don’t believe it.

Nell: Ask Henry and Horst. They were at Flamingo HQ when the call came through.

Me: When you say Flamingo HQ, do you mean our spare room?

Nell: Of course. Didn’t you notice all the flamingos going upstairs yesterday after Charlotte left?

Me: So who called who?

Nell: Savoiardi called Stephen Seagull who called Owl Pacino who called Count Bingo Flamingo.

Me: Savoiardi aka Sponge Finger the Head of NOIR is the one who found Frankie?

Nell: Not him personally, but his rooks did.

Me: What on earth is Frankie doing in France?

Nell: Rumour has it she’s on her way to the South West of France to join a colony of Greater Flamingos.

Me: Unbelievable. Does she even speak French?

Nell: That’s not the point.

Me: I suppose not.

Nell: The important thing is she’s been sighted and she’s safe.

Me: Yes, you’re right. It’s amazing how Frankie has brought us all together, isn’t it? Who would have thought NOIR and the Beefies would be the ones to find her.

Nell: Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Me: Yes. Sorry.