Me: You’re up early.
Nell: It’s Christmas Eve. There’s lots to be done.
Me: I’m not sure the Puppies would agree. Do we know why Harriet is sitting on two beds?
Nell: No. There’s an elf looking out of the window upstairs, by the way.
Me: It’s Alfie. The elf on a shelf. He’s waiting for Santa.
Nell: Everybody’s waiting for Santa.
Me: Alfie’s going away with Santa today.
Nell: Good. He’s no business looking out of the window. He’s not part of the Bus Stop Monitoring Team.
Me: You can probably take a break from all that over the Christmas period. I don’t think there’s going to be much going on.
Nell: Maybe. There’s certainly more than enough going on here.
Me: It’s wonderful, isn’t it? I love hearing the sound of the children playing and the gentle hubbub of family life.
Nell: I don’t think hubbubs can be gentle.
Me: I know what I mean.
Nell: Kev’s collecting the turkey from the farm shop today, isn’t he?
Me: Yes. I don’t know where we’re going to put it.
Nell: We’ll find room.
Me: Herr Hoffmann is cooking a gammon for this evening. It’s going to be a Throw Everything On The Table dinner.
Nell: What are you talking about?
Me: Cold meats, salads, pickles and bits and bobs.
Nell: I don’t want a bit or a bob, thank you.
Me: I’m going to read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to the children this evening.
Nell: I thought you could do that in front of the fire so we can all listen.
Me: Does Dave know Sally is coming?
Nell: No, but he will soon. I think I heard her car.
Me: Christmas is rather wonderful this year, isn’t it?
Nell: I told you it would be.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
