Nell: Why are you up so early? You don’t need to leave for a few hours. David won’t like to be woken.
Me: I had this dream about Rupert being the new James Bond.
Nell: Rupert would never carry a gun.
Me: It was just a dream, Nell. He definitely looked the part.
Nell: Make sure you have everything you need for the journey to the hospital.
Me: I will.
Nell: I hope you’ve allowed time for detours.
Me: Detours?
Nell: They’re fixing the lane to the village.
Me: Oh yes. I forgot.
Nell: How can you forget when there are signs and vans everywhere?
Me: I’ve been preoccupied with my Rupert Bond dream.
Nell: Are you packing a picnic? The hospital’s quite a way away.
Me: Canadians say ‘aways away’.
Nell: I’m not Canadian.
Me: We don’t need a picnic. We’re going to pop into Barks and Spencer for some treats.
Nell: Make sure you pick up a few sandwiches. David and Harriet prefer beef.
Me: You always enjoyed smoked salmon with cream cheese.
Nell: I still do.
Me: Don’t tell me you have a Barks and Spencer up there?
Nell: Of course we do. We have everything.
Me: My mother must be over the moon. Barks was her favourite place to shop.
Nell: She is. We often smile across the aisle when she’s picking up some eclairs and coffee cake for afternoon tea with your sister Alex.
Me: Coffee cake was Alex’s favourite.
Nell: I know.
Me: I really love that idea, Nell. Whenever I go to Barks I think of her.
Nell: You’d better pick up some eclairs then.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And coffee cake.
Me: I will.
Nell: Drive carefully, please, and wipe away those tears. You need to see where you’re going.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
