Me: Cheeky Animal. I win.
Nell: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Me: I saw you stick your tongue out, Nell.
Nell: Stick my tongue out?
Me: Yes, I saw you.
Nell: You must be mistaken.
Me: I’m not. I’ve got a photo of you as evidence.
Nell: Let me see.
Me: Look. Your tongue is hanging out.
Nell: I’m licking my lips.
Me: It doesn’t matter. If you stick your tongue out and I catch you, I win.
Nell: Did you say ‘Cheeky Animal’?
Me: Yes, just now.
Nell: Just now is too late.
Me: You can’t get more Now than Just Now.
Nell: You most certainly can. The clue is in the Just.
Me: Now you’re nitpicking.
Nell: I’m doing nothing of the sort. Rules are rules.
Me: You’re incorrigible.
Nell: I’m also right and I win.
Me: How can you win if you aren’t playing?
Nell: Easily. Now, where are we on the bunk bed situation?
Me: I want to wait to make them up until I’m absolutely sure there won’t be any tigers or lions sleeping on the beds.
Nell: Do llamas count?
Me: Any animal does.
Nell: Even David and Harriet?
Me: Yes, and Nigel. If the grandchildren choose to invite an animal to share the bed it’s fine but not until then.
Nell: That wretched Stuffed Tiger will be remaining on top of the chest of drawers then I presume?
Me: No. I’m going to move it onto the top bunk bed.
Nell: Excuse me?
Me: It’s not real, Nell. It’s stuffed.
Nell: So you have one rule for all of us and another for that tiger?
Me: The Cuddle Nells are allowed on the bunk beds, too.
Nell: That’s fine. They’re different.
Me: Why?
Nell: They’re Nells.
Me: Yes, of course. Sorry.
