Nell: How was your afternoon tea at the Cottage Hotel?
Me: Lovely. It was wonderful to meet up with the other writers in person again. We usually only see each other on screen.
Nell: Yes.
Me: Hope Cove was looking beautiful as always.
Nell: I can see that from your photos.
Me: It really is a magical place.
Nell: Let’s hope you can manage to go there on retreat in November. It’s been a few years since you did.
Me: I know. It’s the cost of it.
Nell: Well, start saving.
Me: We’ll see.
Nell: Is that Harriet deep in contemplation?
Me: Yes. We call it Nell’s tree and she likes to sit there and look at the cows.
Nell: Why Nell’s tree?
Me: It’s a beautiful shady place to stop and think and if we could we’d love to put a bench there where people could rest for a while.
Nell: What a lovely idea.
Me: I’m fairly sure it wouldn’t be allowed but we always pause there to think of you.
Nell: I remember going there with you.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Have you any idea what Harriet was thinking about?
Me: Not really. Nigel is staying with us until Sunday so she might simply have been enjoying a break from those two boisterous boys.
Nell: Has she been eating any fish?
Me: I don’t think so.
Nell: Good. So what are the plans for the weekend?
Me: We’re having another barbecue on Saturday and this time I’ve ordered some prawns.
Nell: I don’t believe this.
Me: Prawns are gorgeous on the barbecue marinated in oil, garlic and chilli.
Nell: Dogs can’t eat garlic, or chilli.
Me: They’re not for the dogs.
Nell: I told you to stop eating fish.
Me: I’m never going to do that, Nell. Sorry.
