Me: Good morning.
Nell: Morning. Is it misty out there today?
Me: Yes, it is. The Bus Stop is actually shrouded in mist which is rather romantic.
Nell: I’m not sure Bus Stops can be romantic.
Me: How did you know it was going to be misty?
Nell: The Weather Guardians keep me informed. How is everyone?
Me: Dave and Harriet are funny together.
Nell: What do you mean?
Me: Harriet was doing her I am a Mysterious Animal Who Likes To Sit Alone on the Stairs thing when Dave came rushing out with one of his favourite toys and brought her back to earth.
Nell: Why was Harriet on the stairs?
Me: She does it now and again. She looks through the bannisters and won’t come down even if you ask nicely.
Nell: Maybe she just needs some quiet.
Me: I don’t know. Nothing can make her move except Dave.
Nell: Or bacon.
Me: Yes. Any kind of food.
Nell: I wouldn’t move for a sardine. Horrible things.
Me: Nobody mentioned sardines, although Dave and Harriet have them once a week and love them.
Nell: Poppy made us grilled sardines with Rat and Two Leaves yesterday evening.
Me: Rat? I know Poppy likes fish, but rat?
Nell: It’s some kind of vegetable dish.
Me: You mean ratatouille. Tomatoes with peppers, aubergines and courgettes.
Nell: I didn’t like it. Sardines have too many bones.
Me: If you press gently along a butterflied sardine’s back and turn it over, you can pull out the backbone and attached rib bones in one go.
Nell: That’s the most horrible thing you’ve ever told me.
Me: It isn’t alive, Nell. It’s gutted.
Nell: You’d be gutted if someone did that to you.
Me: I probably would.
Nell: Never speak of this again.
Me: Sorry.
