Me: It might be my imagination but I think the countryside looks a little greener.

Nell: The Weather Guardians haven’t mentioned any rain today, but one can hope.

Me: That part of our walk is always green, of course, it’s the fields that are parched.

Nell: Why is Harriet sitting down?

Me: Is she?

Nell: She never sits down. She’s always on the move.

Me: Maybe she just needed a break?

Nell: I think she’s listening to something, or someone.

Me: Probably the birds. I love listening to the birds, too.

Nell: Were there any Beefies around?

Me: No. They don’t bother with countryside walks.

Nell: Or rooks?

Me: There might have been. It’s difficult to know.

Nell: Use your Merlin app to locate them.

Me: How do you know about that?

Nell: I know about everything.

Me: No, you don’t, or you wouldn’t ask questions.

Nell: Maybe I ask questions to help you realise what you know?

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: Sometimes you know more than you think.

Me: Well, I don’t know if Harriet was listening to anything and I don’t know what she was listening to if she was.

Nell: Well, I’m struggling to listen to you this morning and it’s only Monday.

Me: That’s not very nice.

Nell: How’s Kev?

Me: Very tired but improving, hopefully.

Nell: Is he booking to see the doctor?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Good. I hope you’re going to your aqua class. You missed it last week.

Me: For a very good reason. I was on my way to the hospital with Kev.

Nell: Nobody said it wasn’t a good reason and stop reliving it all. You’ll only get upset again.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: Just concentrate on splashing around in the water. It’s your happy place.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Happy Sunday.

Nell: You sound brighter.

Me: I had a good sleep and Kev’s foot and leg are nearly back to normal with no redness at all.

Nell: Such a relief.

Me: It is. He took Dave and Harriet on a long walk yesterday and Charlotte and I had a lovely shorter walk with Nigel.

Nell: I see you came across some cows. Did you say hello?

Me: We didn’t want to bother them, Nell.

Nell: Cows always appreciate a gentle greeting but never a sharp bark.

Me: You need to tell Dave that. He can be very noisy. Nigel was quiet and polite.

Nell: How unusual.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: Nigel can be extremely reactive around others.

Me: Only other dogs.

Nell: It’s false bravery.

Me: Yes. Marvin is the same. They’re rescue dogs.

Nell: I was discussing being a rescue dog with Mutley yesterday.

Me: What did he say?

Nell: It wasn’t an easy time but it was almost worth it for the moment of rescue when you finally realise you are truly safe and loved.

Me: It breaks my heart to think of all the animals in need of a home.

Nell: I know. Make sure you think of them at Sunday Songs today.

Me: I will.

Nell: I hope Herr Hoffmann is cooking a Sunday roast. Kev will need a proper meal.

Me: It’s still quite warm so we thought we’d have a delicious salad.

Nell: A salad?

Me: He’s making a quiche and there will be new potatoes.

Nell: This is outrageous. You’ll be telling me there’s no bacon next.

Me: I’m not telling you anything.

Nell: Poppy is not going to believe this.

Me: Then don’t tell her.

Nell: Poppy and I have no secrets between us.

Me: Of course. Sorry.

Nell: I see Nigel is visiting you again.

Me: It’s the weekend, Nell. Nigel always visits us. This morning I woke up to find Harriet on the bed and then Nigel appeared and came and gave her a kiss.

Nell: A kiss?

Me: Such a loving thing to do.

Nell: I’d call it over-friendly.

Me: Nigel does it to Dave, too, and he used to try it with you.

Nell: I remember. Dreadful.

Me: You were very mean to him, Nell.

Nell: He annoyed me.

Me: Well, Harriet didn’t mind a morning kiss at all.

Nell: She’s too polite.

Me: She loves Nigel. We all do.

Nell: Moving on, what did they say at the hospital?

Me: We had quite a long wait again as they wanted to do blood tests to see if Kev is improving.

Nell: And is he?

Me: Yes. The doctor said everything is moving in the right direction.

Nell: What a relief.

Me: It is. He has to go back to our local doctor next week but not to the hospital unless something changes.

Nell: Which it won’t. Did you sleep any better?

Me: I did. A little. I’m still on high alert, to be honest.

Nell: You’ll calm down soon.

Me: Both Kev and I are completely exhausted by it all.

Nell: No wonder. Try and take it easy this weekend, please.

Me: We will. Don’t worry.

Nell: But I do. It’s my job.

Me: At least Kev’s allowed to go walking in the countryside again so Dave and Harriet are pleased.

Nell: Did you find out why Harriet was in the Staff Only area?

Me: No. I had other things on my mind.

Nell: Well, find out today.

Me: She won’t tell me.

Nell: You’d make a terrible detective.

Me: I know. Sorry.

Nell: You’re up early again. Too tired to sleep?

Me: I just can’t settle at the moment, Nell. Thoughts keep whirling around in my head and I go over things again and again.

Nell: You’re going to have to try and calm down or you will make yourself ill.

Me: I know. I just need to hear from the doctors that Kev really is on the mend.

Nell: You will. Try not to worry so much.

Me: It’s in my nature, I’m afraid.

Nell: I see from these photos that you took David and Harriet down to the river yesterday.

Me: We did. Kev wanted to get some fresh air and seemed to be feeling a lot better.

Nell: Good to hear.

Me: Yes, we’re off to the hospital later so they can check on his progress.

Nell: The antibiotics seem to be working.

Me: They do, but I’ll still be glad when the doctors confirm it.

Nell: Of course you will.

Me: It’s been quite a week, Nell.

Nell: I know. So, why was Harriet in the Staff Only section?

Me: What?

Nell: The sign says clearly ‘No Entry Staff Only’.

Me: You know what Harriet is like when she’s out on a walk. She runs everywhere.

Nell: I know exactly what Harriet is like.

Me: Why are you saying it like that?

Nell: She never does anything without a reason.

Me: She was just having fun.

Nell: Harriet is a spy. She’s up to something.

Me: Nonsense.

Nell: She was disgruntled because she couldn’t go out.

Me: She got over it.

Nell: She was following a lead.

Me: She rarely wears one, Nell. She’s such a good girl when we’re out. Dave’s the one on a lead.

Nell: Not that kind of lead.

Me: Oh, I see. Sorry.

Nell: Is that Dog and Dash?

Me: Yes.

Nell: I’ve never seen the activity field look this dry.

Me: Neither have I. Everywhere is like this at the moment, Nell.

Nell: Not for too long, I hope. The Weather Guardians tell me rain is on its way.

Me: We had some yesterday which was wonderful.

Nell: What’s Kev doing walking around? He’s supposed to be resting.

Me: He wanted to come with us and he sat down for most of the time.

Nell: In my Semicircle of Power?

Me: Yes.

Nell: Without a password?

Me: I thought you wouldn’t mind.

Nell: I’m glad to see Harriet sat outside it like a good animal.

Me: Dave was on the move all the time. Dry grass or not, it is still a chance for him to run and stretch his legs.

Nell: Yes, it has been a haven over the years.

Me: It certainly has, and Annette who runs it lives in our village.

Nell: How lovely.

Me: She was very kind when Kev was taken ill.

Nell: People are if you allow them to be.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: How is Kev today?

Me: I’m not sure. He’s still sleeping.

Nell: Then let him be. It’s still early.

Me: The hospital will be calling some time soon with his appointment for tomorrow.

Nell: Let’s hope it will be the last time you have to drive there for a while.

Me: Fingers crossed.

Nell: And paws.

Me: Did you know they say thumbs pressed in Germany?

Nell: I did not.

Me: And I always do it.

Nell: Whatever helps.

Me: Exactly.

Nell: How did you sleep?

Me: Not very well, there’s too much going on in my head.

Nell: There’s always too much going on in your head.

Me: I know. Sorry.

Nell: Harriet looks disgruntled.

Me: She’s not had a walk in a few days so it’s understandable.

Nell: What are you doing up so early?

Me: I can’t sleep. I’m too exhausted.

Nell: That doesn’t actually make sense.

Me: Sometimes you’re so tired and wound up you can’t unwind.

Nell: You sound dreadful.

Me: We had another tiring day yesterday, Nell.

Nell: What happened?

Me: Kev thought his foot and ankle had started to swell and the redness might be spreading.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: So, we decided we’d better drive to the hospital.

Nell: A sensible decision.

Me: When we got to A&E the receptionist knew Kev might be coming in and we were immediately sent over to outpatients where a doctor was waiting.

Nell: That must have been a relief.

Me: It was. I thought we were going to have to sit in A&E for hours again

Nell: What did the doctor say?

Me: They took his blood pressure which was a little too high and his temperature which had gone down.

Nell: Good.

Me: They also took photos and measured his leg.

Nell: Right.

Me: The antibiotics seem to be working and the swelling is something that can happen but they want to see him again on Friday.

Nell: Good. Do they know what caused it?

Me: They think it might well be a horsefly.

Nell: You had a few nasty horsefly bites when Alice was over.

Me: I did.

Nell: Wretched things.

Me: Anyway, we have a couple of days to try and rest before we go there again.

Nell: How is Kev coping?

Me: He’s relieved to be home.

Nell: I expect you are, too.

Me: I am.

Nell: Now, try and go back to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: What on earth is going on? Why is David so tired? Is that Scarlett cuddling Harriet? Is Kev wearing a hospital tag?

Me: We had a dreadful day yesterday, Nell.

Nell: You’d better begin at the beginning,

Me: Kev started to feel unwell on his birthday but we both hoped it wasn’t anything serious.

Nell: Except that it was.

Me: Yes, although there were times yesterday when we thought it was going to be much worse.

Nell: Continue.

Me: Kev was clearly running a fever and had terrible pains in his joints, especially one leg, so we went to see the doctor

Nell: What did he say?

Me: Suspected sepsis and go straight to hospital.

Nell: Oh no.

Me: A&E was completely full.

Nell: Accident and Emergency always is.

Me: To cut a very long story short as we were there for over 7 hours, he has a bad infection in his leg but it’s not sepsis and he was allowed home with antibiotics.

Nell: When did you get home?

Me: About 9:30pm and we left home at 11:30am.

Nell: David and Harriet must have been over the moon to see you.

Me: They were. I was really worried about them as we had no idea that it would all take so long.

Nell: What did you do?

Me: I contacted Charlotte and she and Scarlett rushed over to let them out and feed and cuddle them.

Nell: How is Kev today?

Me: Still in bed which is where I hope he’ll stay. Harriet is watching over him.

Nell: And David?

Me: David is watching over me.

Nell: He looks asleep.

Me: Asleep or awake my boy is always a comfort.

Nell: Maybe you should try going back to sleep?

Me: I can’t. Sorry.

Nell: No sorries. Not today.

Nell: Is that your niece Scarlett?

Me: Yes, she joined us unexpectedly for Kev’s birthday lunch.

Nell: David seems very pleased to see her.

Me: He was.

Nell: He really needs to learn to give people space.

Me: It’s not his way, Nell. He’s such an affectionate animal. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: You can’t just climb onto someone’s lap when you’re that size.

Me: Dave can.

Nell: Nigel doesn’t seem best pleased.

Me: He wasn’t. Scarlett is his special person. But Dave hadn’t seen her in such a long time it was understandable.

Nell: I have to say I’m on Nigel’s side.

Me: Both boys were a bit full on, but she didn’t mind.

Nell: Anyway, how was Kev’s birthday?

Me: He had a lovely day and really appreciated all the kind messages.

Nell: Did he like my poem?

Me: Very much.

Nell: We had a pleasant day, too. Good food and delightful conversation.

Me: It sounds like ours.

Nell: So, what’s next on the agenda?

Me: Does there have to be one?

Nell: Of course.

Me: Can’t we just wait and see?

Nell: No.

Me: I FaceTimed with Chris and Shannon in Toronto.

Nell: Good.

Me: They were at their new house and showed me around.

Nell: Lovely.

Me: They’re busy decorating.

Nell: Is there a lot to be done?

Me: Yes. They’re both working, so renovations have to be done in stages. The actual move will be in a few weeks.

Nell: Marvin will definitely enjoy having his own garden.

Me: Yes, he’s never had one before.

Nell: I’m happy for them.

Me: So am I.

Nell: Now, enough chit-chat. Make yourself a cup of tea and start working on the agenda for the week.

Me: Must I?

Nell: Everyone needs a plan.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Nice photos of Kev.

Me: I thought so. I really love the one of you two.

Nell: Nigel seems to feature rather a lot.

Me: He’s part of the family, Nell.

Nell: Just saying.

Me: There’s no need to be jealous. Nobody will ever replace you.

Nell: I should hope not.

Me: You will always have a special place on our hearts.

Nell: Yes, well it’s not about me. It’s about Kev today.

Me: I know.

Nell: Is everything organised?

Me: Yes. Birthday breakfast with present opening followed by a celebratory Sunday Songs and Sunday lunch at the pub.

Nell: Is everyone wearing a hat?

Me: It’s a bit early for that, Nell.

Nell: It’s never too early for hats. Poppy’s been wearing a pirate hat since first thing this morning.

Me: Darling Poppy.

Nell: I’ve written a poem for Kev.

Me: Wonderful.

Nell: Would you like to hear it?

Me: Very much.

Nell: ‘It’s Kev’s birthday

So what can I say,

Except that I wish

I was with you today.

There’d better be candles.

There has to be cake.

Even if it’s cheese

Which I think’s a mistake.

Make sure to wear hats.

And sing lots of songs.

And remember today

Kev can do no wrong.

So many memories

Of birthdays gone by.

It’s like it all happened

In the blink of an eye.

We love Kev so much.

We love him still. 

And I hope that he knows

We always will.’

Me: I feel a little teary now.

Nell: Stop that at once. Birthdays are for smiles and laughter.

Me: They can be a little sad. Especially when you’re older.

Nell: Older? Kev’s only 67. He’s got years ahead of him.

Me: You’re right.

Nell: Put on your hat and let the celebrations begin.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: I see Harriet enjoyed her cuddles with Kev on the sofa.

Me: She absolutely loved it.

Nell: What did David think about that?

Me: Dave was very jealous, although Nigel was even worse. He follows Kev around everywhere.

Nell: I remember.

Me: They went to the pub together again yesterday evening for a birthday weekend pint.

Nell: And a packet of crisps?

Me: Always. It’s locals night on a Friday so they were able to catch up with friends.

Nell: Good.

Me: We had quite a vegetable day yesterday.

Nell: What are you talking about?

Me: Colin from over the road left a large marrow and two beetroots outside the front door and Yannick gave Kev and Nigel two cucumbers on their way home.

Nell: A cucumber is a fruit not a vegetable. It grows from a flower and has seeds.

Me: Then a marrow must be a fruit.

Nell: Correct.

Me: So we had more of a fruit than a vegetable day?

Nell: You did.

Me: Well, it was very kind. Homegrown fruit and vegetables are a real treat.

Nell: I agree. I’m very thankful for Mutley’s allotment.

Me: Mutley has an allotment?

Nell: Yes, he spends a lot of time there with the Gardening Guardians.

Me: You have Gardening Guardians?

Nell: We have everything.

Me: I really love that idea.

Nell: So does Poppy. You know how fussy she is about the quality of produce.

Me: Only the best.

Nell: Quite. So, how are the preparations for Kev’s birthday tomorrow coming along?

Me: Harriet kept him busy while I packed his presents and Herr Hoffmann made his cheesecake.

Nell: Good.

Me: Nigel took him to the pub.

Nell: And David?

Me: Dave was simply a Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: He did nothing.

Me: Yes. Sorry.