Nell: I see you went on my favourite river walk.
Me: Yes, everything is starting to turn a summery green.
Nell: Did you sit at my bench?
Me: I still can’t do it, Nell. Too many memories.
Nell: You will in time.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Harriet ran in and out of the water, I presume.
Me: Always. She absolutely loves it and I love seeing her happy little face.
Nell: Talking of happy little faces, is that Welsh corgi still in the picture?
Me: In what picture? Which corgi?
Nell: Myfanwy. Are she and Rupert still an item?
Me: I’m not sure they’re an item, Nell. They just enjoy each other’s company.
Nell: Remember that corgi has a chequered past.
Me: She’s a reformed corgi now.
Nell: Just saying. What about the Beefies? You haven’t mentioned them recently.
Me: I think they’re getting ready for the summer season.
Nell: You mean stealing from clueless Grockles.
Me: Don’t call the tourists Grockles and they’re not clueless.
Nell: They walk around with ice creams and chips.
Me: They’re on holiday. I remember a big seagull stealing a cookie out of Alice’s hand in Florida.
Nell: Beefies steal and cheat. It’s in their DNA.
Me: I love the sound of seagulls. It reminds me of my childhood.
Nell: It’s an awful noise.
Me: Not to me. This village has so many birds. It’s wonderful. I’m listening to them now.
Nell: Beefies?
Me: No, other smaller birds.
Nell: You’re supposed to be listening to me.
Me: I can do two things at once.
Nell: I’m listening to Poppy snoring.
Me: Poppy’s still asleep?
Nell: She was up all night playing poker with Oscar and the Yorkshire Terriers.
Me: Aren’t they too old to be up all night?
Nell: They’re Guardians.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
