Me: Christmas has now officially begun.
Nell: It has.
Me: It’s wonderful to have the family here, isn’t it?
Nell: Yes, it is.
Me: When the train doors opened and Faye and Jonathan came running along the platform towards me I thought my heart might burst with happiness.
Nell: I can imagine.
Me: It was so lovely.
Nell: Did you cry?
Me: Only a little and they were happy tears.
Nell: I must admit I felt rather emotional, too.
Me: I haven’t seen you enjoy cuddles as much as you did yesterday in a long time. You and Alice seemed deep in conversation, by the way.
Nell: We had a lot of things to discuss.
Me: Like what?
Nell: Never you mind.
Me: I don’t need anything else for Christmas if that’s what you were talking about. Nothing means more to me than having the family here.
Nell: I know.
Me: The only thing missing is Chris and Shannon.
Nell: Maybe another year?
Me: Yes. It’s difficult for them as they can’t leave Marvin.
Nell: David was too demanding again.
Me: He can’t help it. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: Even Andre was forced to cuddle him.
Me: Nobody was forced to do anything. The thing about Dave is he’s almost impossible not to cuddle.
Nell: Nonsense.
Me: It’s his size. There’s something about cuddling a huge animal.
Nell: I need to talk to you about the new dog beds.
Me: I’m glad they arrived.
Nell: The children sat in them.
Me: I know they did. I think they enjoyed the softness. You didn’t mind, did you?
Nell: I’m always happy to share my bed.
Me: We both know that isn’t true.
Nell: As long as people ask me first.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Except they didn’t.
Me: No. Sorry.
