Nell: What is going on there?
Me: Nigel is sitting with Kev and Dave is feeling a little left out.
Nell: Nigel is gloating.
Me: Nigel isn’t gloating.
Nell: He is. Look at his face.
Me: He’s just happy to be with Uncle.
Nell: David is Kev’s Best Boy.
Me: I know he is.
Nell: Not Nigel.
Me: Of course not. But I knew Nigel would cheer Kev up. He always does.
Nell: Did they go to the pub for a pint?
Me: No. Kev’s not well enough. They went for a lovely long walk.
Nell: And David?
Me: Dave and Harriet went for a lovely longer walk, actually.
Nell: Good. I can’t have their place in the family usurped by an interloper.
Me: Nigel isn’t an interloper, Nell. Dave and Harriet are safe and secure.
Nell: Not according to David’s face.
Me: He’s just a bit jealous. You were the same.
Nell: I wasn’t jealous. I just didn’t like Nigel.
Me: We know. You didn’t disguise it.
Nell: Anyway, how was the Chinese takeaway? Did David use chopsticks?
Me: No, he didn’t.
Nell: Good. I’m glad you listened to me.
Me: We had an Indian takeaway.
Nell: Why?
Me: Chinese is Kev’s favourite but he felt too unwell so Charlotte and I had an Indian instead.
Nell: Dogs can’t eat Indian food. It’s too spicy.
Me: I know.
Nell: So, you let them all sit there hopefully with their bowls and chopsticks and gave them nothing to eat?
Me: They had dog biscuits.
Nell: Dog biscuits? For dinner? Poppy isn’t going to believe this.
Me: They’re dogs, Nell. They shouldn’t eat Chinese food either.
Nell: Why order it?
Me: Because sometimes it’s not only about you dogs.
Nell: I can’t believe you just said that.
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
