Nell: Today would have been your late mother’s birthday, wouldn’t it?
Me: Yes. She’d have been 92.
Nell: Have a gentle day, please.
Me: I will.
Nell: Lovely photos.
Me: The weather was really warm.
Nell: The Weather Guardians say clear skies mean cooler nights.
Me: Have you ever considered being a Weather Guardian?
Nell: I’m not sure I can be bothered to train.
Me: You like talking about the weather.
Nell: I’m British. We all like talking about the weather.
Me: True.
Nell: What’s the matter with David? He seems ready to pounce.
Me: He saw a passing spaniel he didn’t particularly like.
Nell: Chasing a ball?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Spaniels can be extremely annoying.
Me: That’s nonsense, Nell. There’s nothing wrong with spaniels.
Nell: They’re like llamas. Giddy and excitable.
Me: You’re so judgmental.
Nell: I am not. Harriet is looking a little portly.
Me: There you go again.
Nell: Unfortunately weight gain often comes with age.
Me: Kev and I noticed that, too. We’re going to have to put her on a diet.
Nell: She gets more than enough exercise.
Me: She does, and she only eats half as much as Dave.
Nell: Nobody eats as much as David. You can’t use him as a measuring stick.
Me: No. We’re having cabbage soup for dinner today so at least that’s not fattening.
Nell: Cabbage soup?
Me: With other vegetables.
Nell: How disgusting.
Me: It’s delicious with a slice of homemade bread and farmhouse butter on the side.
Nell: I presume Harriet will only be given a dry cracker.
Me: No. She can have some soup.
Nell: On the side.
Me: I’m not sure we have any crackers.
Nell: We’re having steak and chips.
Me: That’s not very healthy.
Nell: With salad on the side.
Me: Right. Sorry.
