Me: Nigel is a handsome boy, isn’t he?
Nell: Nigel is not a boy. He’s a grown animal.
Me: He and Dave are always going to be boys to me.
Nell: It’s good to see him helping with the Bus Stop monitoring.
Me: You only really need to monitor it in the morning when the children are going to school.
Nell: People gather there at all times. We feel it’s our responsibility to keep them safe.
Me: Safe from what?
Nell: Who knows?
Me: I was going to say it’s not as if we have wild animals roaming around but then I remembered we do.
Nell: Don’t talk about the llamas like that.
Me: I meant Beauregard and the lions.
Nell: I know. I was joking. Talking of lions, how would you feel about inviting Lionel King to Christmas dinner?
Me: Absolutely not.
Nell: Rumour has it that both he and Lady Anwen will be spending Christmas alone.
Me: What about Bobby Socks?
Nell: I think an extra lion and a royal corgi will be more than enough without throwing a pony into the mix. Besides, Bobby is going to Padstow for the Palomino Party.
Me: A Palomino Party? In Cornwall? You made that up.
Nell: I did not. Padstow isn’t only about Rick Stein, you know. It’s renowned for its Palomino Parties.
Me: I don’t believe a word of it. Anyway, I don’t want that lion ruining our Christmas.
Nell: It’s supposed to be the Season of Goodwill. Where’s yours?
Me: We don’t have enough room.
Nell: We have the Village Hall.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: I knew there wouldn’t be room for everyone here so I booked the Village Hall.
Me: The Village Hall is awfully big.
Nell: So is our extended family.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
