Me: Dave’s sulking about The Popsicle Run.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: He’s sitting next to my bed and won’t get on it.

Nell: Some people say dogs shouldn’t be on beds.

Me: I know, but I’m not one of them. I like cuddling you all on the bed.

Nell: Maybe David just needs some time to think?

Me: He’s not thinking, he’s definitely sulking.

Nell: How is The Popsicle Run going?

Me: Rupert says demand is far outweighing supply. His words.

Nell: Seagulls never have enough of anything and Beefies are the worst.

Me: I honestly think Rupert enjoys it. He always comes back with a smile and is full of stories about how greedy they are.

Nell: Interesting.

Me: They’ve started demanding different flavours.

Nell: How rude.

Me: Herr Hoffmann can’t keep up with it all so he’s handed over the reins to Manuel.

Nell: Does he ride a horse?

Me: No, he’s an octopus, Nell.

Nell: I know.

Me: From Barcelona. Why bring a horse into it?

Nell: You’re the one who started it.

Me: Did I? No, Manuel is just good at making popsicles.

Nell: It’s the tentacles.

Me: We call him The Popsicle Prince.

Nell: Whatever next?

Me: Anyway, Dave wanted to help make the popsicles but Manuel politely declined.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: I think it was because of the Strawberry Fiasco.

Nell: The what?

Me: Herr Hoffmann had organised strawberries and cream for the start of Wimbledon.

Nell: A British tradition.

Me: Yes, but the strawberries had gone.

Nell: All of them?

Me: I’m sure it was by mistake and I think Dave had a sore tummy afterwards.

Nell: That’s why he’s sulking.

Me: He’s recovered now.

Nell: You can recover from something but the memory of it still lingers on.

Me: True. Sorry.

Nell: What a lovely photo of you and Alice.

Me: Chris sent it over to me and I thought it would be nice to share it with you all.

Nell: Where was it taken?

Me: In Toronto last summer at Chris and Shannon’s wedding. Alice had just given a speech and I’d read a poem I’d written for them.

Nell: You can see in your faces how happy you are and how much they are loved.

Me: Yes, I think you can. There were a lot of happy tears.

Nell: The best kind.

Me: It was such a lovely wedding.

Nell: What are the Puppies doing in that field?

Me: Lounging around in the daisies. They love lying in the cool grass.

Nell: I remember. I can hardly see Harriet.

Me: She likes to hide.

Nell; Now, today is the first of the month so you need to share the link to the website where people can buy you a cup of Earl Grey.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. Thank you so much in advance for the support. We really appreciate it.

Nell: Yes, we do. Talking of writing, isn’t today Wednesday Writers?

Me: It is. I have a workshop this morning.

Nell: You always enjoy seeing the other writers, don’t you?

Me; I do. Writing is a solitary activity so it’s good to be around others now and again.

Nell: Even if it’s only on the screen.

Me: Do you have screens up there?

Nell: We have everything although I prefer a game of Bridge.

Me: The Cat and Dorothy will be pleased to hear you’re still playing.

Nell: Yes.

Me: Apparently they’re quite a team.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Don’t begrudge them that, Nell.

Nell: You don’t have teams in Bridge. You have partners.

Me: Of course. Sorry.