Me: Is there anything more irresistible than my Big Brave Beautiful Boy with his new favourite toy?
Nell: One of Poppy’s scones with jam and cream?
Me: You can’t compare Dave to a cream tea.
Nell: I most certainly can.
Me: It doesn’t come close.
Nell: Don’t tell Poppy that.
Me: How is she?
Nell: Out water skiing with The Great Barberino.
Me: I beg your pardon?
Nell: It’s her latest passion.
Me: Do you mean you have a sea up there?
Nell: We have everything. I’ve told you this before.
Me: Isn’t The Great Barberino a little too musical to go water skiing?
Nell: You can ski and sing.
Me: I suppose you can. Are you tempted to join them?
Nell: Try and be a touch more realistic, please.
Me: Just wondering.
Nell: Charlie and I enjoy the odd game of tennis.
Me: Nice. What about dancing?
Nell: Occasionally, but only ballroom. Latin is a step too far.
Me: I see what you did there. Poppy used to love dancing the Paso Doble.
Nell: She still does.
Me: With The Great Barberino?
Nell: Don’t be silly.
Me: Is Poppy playing the bullfighter?
Nell: Of course.
Me: Has she found someone to be the cape?
Nell: She’s auditioning a peacock and a guinea fowl this afternoon.
Me: My money’s on the peacock.
Nell: Guinea fowl are better dancers.
Me: Interesting.
Nell: What are your plans today?
Me: A walk in the countryside with Kev, Dave and Harriet followed by a Spanish curry.
Nell: Spanish?
Me: Manuel the Octopus is cooking and he’s from Barcelona.
Nell: Good grief.
Me: I’ve had a thought.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: Manuel would make the perfect cape for Poppy.
Nell: Except Manuel isn’t a Guardian and cape’s don’t have tentacles.
Me: Of course. Sorry.
