Nell: You’re all awake early. Overexcited by any chance?
Me: Very. Harriet wants us to leave for the station right now and Dave’s wearing his ring on his head again.
Nell: Are Alice and the grandchildren safely in London?
Me: Yes. They had an awful flight from Berlin. Lots of turbulence, both children had earache and drunken football fans.
Nell: Oh no.
Me: They didn’t get to the hotel until really late last night so I told them to take their time going to Paddington station this morning to catch the train down to Devon.
Nell: Do you think they will?
Me: I hope so as there’s no rush.
Nell: I’m not sure Harriet would agree.
Me: No. She seems to think we should be up and doing.
Nell: Is everything ready for the family?
Me: Almost. We’ve just got to make up the bunk beds.
Nell: I thought you already had.
Me: Nigel likes to sleep on the bottom one so we waited until this morning.
Nell: Nigel’s going to have to sleep on the floor like everyone else.
Me: Nobody sleeps on the floor, Nell. They are all on sofas, beds or armchairs.
Nell: Just stop dilly-dallying around and get that bunk bed made up now.
Me: You’re as bad as Harriet.
Nell: The Weather Guardians tell me it’s going to be another hot day although there might be a few clouds.
Me: We desperately need rain. I was watching the news and there are wild fires everywhere.
Nell: In Devon?
Me: No, in Canada and Scotland and France and Spain.
Nell: Try and concentrate on Devon for the time being, please. You can’t worry about everyone.
Me: I can.
Nell: Well, don’t. The family will be here soon and happy times are ahead.
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
