Nell: How was the birthday party?
Me: A great success in the main. Lots of bacon and a whole roast chicken.
Nell: Was there cake?
Me: Of course. And party hats and dancing.
Nell: So, why did you say ‘in the main’ and why does everyone look so glum?
Me: Do they?
Nell: Yes. Especially Nigel.
Me: Maybe it’s because Charlotte’s gone away for the weekend?
Nell: David and Harriet look annoyed.
Me: Maybe it’s because their birthday is over?
Nell: And maybe it’s something to do with Nigel?
Me: Why do you say that?
Nell: He’s sitting in the yellow chair.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And he looks extremely guilty.
Me: Does he?
Nell: Yes, he does. Why?
Me: I’m sure he didn’t mean to eat more than his fair share of chicken.
Nell: Oh dear.
Me: Or take a bite out of the cake before the Birthday Labs could.
Nell: Was it a large bite?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Shocking.
Me: Or open the whole parcel in Pass the Parcel.
Nell: The game where you hand the parcel around and every time the music stops stops someone opens a layer?
Me: Yes.
Nell: He opened the whole thing?
Me: Or eat the tasty treat that was inside the parcel.
Nell: Outrageous.
Me: I think he was just overexcited.
Nell: I’ve told Nigel time and again to ‘Calm down!’.
Me: You have.
Nell: And does he listen?
Me: Not really.
Nell: And now I’m not there he ruins the party.
Me: The party wasn’t ruined at all. We had tremendous fun. I made another parcel and there was still plenty of cake for everyone.
Nell: So why are they all looking so glum?
Me: Maybe it’s because Scotland lost to Morocco or they’re tired?
Nell: I’m tired now, too.
Me: Sorry.
