Me: Doesn’t Dave look like you in this photo?
Nell: David has a muddy nose.
Me: Never mind that. He’s been snoofling around outside. Look at the similarity.
Nell: David’s my nephew. Of course he looks like me.
Me: I’ve noticed it more, recently. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.
Nell: We come from a good looking family.
Me: You certainly do. Harriet is a beauty.
Nell: She is. They both seem a little tired.
Me: It’s this hot weather. Everyone’s tired and crotchety.
Nell: Crotchety?
Me: Cantankerous.
Nell: Could you speak English please?
Me: I am. Bad-tempered. Irritable.
Nell: I know you are.
Me: No, that’s what it means.
Nell: It’s no wonder when you go about talking gibberish.
Me: Never mind.
Nell: How are the preparations going?
Me: Preparations?
Nell: Alice and the grandchildren will be visiting you soon.
Me: I know. It’s so exciting.
Nell: Don’t make the beds too early.
Me: I won’t.
Nell: Or dogs will sleep on them.
Me: I don’t know how Nigel is going to cope without his bunk bed.
Nell: He will have to.
Me: Yes, but he won’t like it.
Nell: It’s only for a few weeks.
Me: I hope we have good weather.
Nell: They’ll enjoy themselves whatever the weather. They always do.
Me: You’re right.
Nell: Our chap did rather well at Wimbledon, didn’t he?
Me: He was amazing.
Nell: Mutley and I were cheering him on.
Me: And Poppy?
Nell: She doesn’t have time for tennis.
Me: More of a football fan?
Nell: Too busy baking.
Me: In this weather?
Nell: Heatwaves don’t bother Guardians.
Me: Of course. What’s she baking?
Nell: The other Guardians have discovered her scones and now there’s a huge demand for them.
Me: I miss Poppy’s scones.
Nell: Don’t you start.
Me: Sorry.
