Nell: Nigel looks overexcited.

Me: It’s Saturday.

Nell: It’s Saturday every weekend.

Me: And we’re going to the Village Fun Day at the primary school.

Nell: I know. You told me.

Me: Gladys and the Llamas are Gliding.

Nell: Yes, and the Welsh Corgi Choir are singing.

Me: And Knitwear Wolf is getting an OBE from Stephen Seagull.

Nell: I don’t approve of that at all.

Me: But Rupert’s wearing a top hat, Nell, and he looks awfully handsome.

Nell: He shouldn’t be accepting an award from the Beefies.

Me: He’s going to be their special envoy. Seagulls all over the world will know he is a friend.

Nell: Which is exactly why he shouldn’t accept it. You can’t be friends with a Beefy.

Me: Rupert can.

Nell: He’s going to regret this. Mark my paws.

Me: Anyway, I haven’t even told you the biggest news yet.

Nell: I can’t wait.

Me: Dave’s been asked to take part in the Dog Show.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: One of our neighbours said he must enter for the Handsomest Hound.

Nell: David is indeed handsome but this will all end in tears.

Me: Why?

Nell: Remember the Dog Show in 2018?

Me: Yes, Dave won a rosette.

Nell: He entered almost every class.

Me: I know. His rosette said ‘Well Done’ and we had a photo taken with the judges.

Nell: He didn’t win any of them.

Me: It didn’t matter. He had fun and everyone loved him.

Nell: I see.

Me: Sometimes it isn’t about winning, Nell. It’s about taking part.

Nell: You’re right.

Me: I am, sometimes. Doesn’t Dave look young in that photo? He was only one and now he’s nine.

Nell: Age is just a number. David will always be your Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: The lovely thing about summer is how long it stays light.

Nell: Yes, sunset walks are particularly enjoyable.

Me: Dave and Harriet certainly enjoy them.

Nell: So, what are your plans for the weekend?

Me: Well, it’s the Village Fun Day up at the primary school tomorrow so we’re all going to that.

Nell: Will Gladys and the llamas be performing?

Me: Yes. An interpretive dance and some Gliding.

Nell: And the Welsh Corgi Choir?

Me: They’ll be singing for most of the afternoon.

Nell: With the Whippets Institute Big Band?

Me: Yes, and unfortunately the Beefy Choir.

Nell: Oh dear. Couldn’t they be stopped?

Me: Stephen Seagull told Rupert they were so grateful for the life-saving popsicles they wanted to give something back.

Nell: Screeching their way through a few songs is not giving something back and life-saving popsicles is a little over the top.

Me: I think they really do appreciate Rupert’s kindness, Nell. He’s become quite a hero in the seagull community.

Nell: Rupert’s a hero in any community.

Me: There’s even talk of him receiving an OBE.

Nell: Officer of the Order of the British Empire? From the King?

Me: No. Onourable Beefy Envoy from Stephen Seagull.

Nell: Honourable is spelt with an h.

Me: Beefies don’t care about spelling.

Nell: Rupert can’t be their envoy. He’s a wolf.

Me: I don’t think he has to be a seagull.

Nell: Is he going to accept?

Me: It’s just a rumour at the moment but I think he might.

Nell: Rupert is becoming an honorary Beefy. Whatever next?

Me: You mean an onorary Beefy. See what I did there?

Nell: Poppy isn’t going to believe this when I tell her.

Me: How is she?

Nell: Baking scones. At least some things don’t change.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

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.