Me: Did you hear the thunder in the night?
Nell: Of course I did.
Me: Were you scared?
Nell: No. It was just the sky grumbling. We all do it.
Me: Lots of dogs are frightened of thunder and lightning. I used to be as a child. I can remember huge storms over the sea.
Nell: Things always seem bigger as a child.
Me: Yes, they do.
Nell: David wasn’t too happy last night but Harriet cuddled up to him and he fell asleep again.
Me: Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: I just stayed near Kev.
Me: Good. He will keep you safe.
Nell: I know he will.
Me: I’ve been thinking.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: How about we invite your Italian to a Spaghetti Bolognese Club cream tea?
Nell: He’s not my Italian. If he’s anyone’s Italian he’s David’s Italian.
Me: Never mind all that. What do you think? It would be a way to say thank you for all the lovely food.
Nell: If it’s a Spaghetti Bolognese Club event you can’t be there.
Me: I could be a guest member?
Nell: No.
Me: I could pour the tea?
Nell: Not happening.
Me: I need to know who he is.
Nell: You can take his coat and hat at the door.
Me: What if he’s not wearing a coat and hat?
Nell: It’s winter.
Me: But he might be a polar bear?
Nell: There are no polar bears in Italy.
Me: You don’t have to be Italian to cook Italian food.
Nell: I don’t see polar bears as cooks.
Me: The Hoffmanns are.
Nell: Fine. You can show him into the kitchen.
Me: I don’t think we should expect him to cook.
Nell: We have a kitchen diner. It’s where we eat.
Me: Oh yes. Sorry.
