Me: Look at sweet-faced Harriet. Isn’t she adorable?

Nell: That’s a rather unflattering angle.

Me: Stop being so critical.

Nell: What are your plans for the weekend?

Me: Charlotte and Nigel are coming over and we’re having a Turkish Night.

Nell: Turkish?

Me: Yes. I’m rather excited.

Nell: I hope you’re not going to eat that awful sticky stuff.

Me: You mean Turkish Delight?

Nell: Yes.

Me: Definitely not. I can’t stand it and rose water doesn’t agree with me.

Nell: Of course it doesn’t. You must never drink out of a vase.

Me: Rose water is made with clean water.

Nell: Leave it alone, please.

Me: Don’t worry. I’m sticking to grilled meat and flatbreads.

Nell: I expect David is excited. Grilled meat is his favourite.

Me: Gladys and the llamas are going to perform some kind of interpretive dance.

Nell: Good grief.

Me: Did I ever tell you I went to belly dancing classes when I lived in Berlin?

Nell: No, you did not.

Me: It was ever so difficult.

Nell: Please don’t tell me you will be dancing.

Me: Absolutely not, but Dave might join in.

Nell: Oh dear.

Me: I bet Poppy would cook you a Turkish dinner if you asked her.

Nell: I’m fine, thank you, and Friday means fish.

Me: Freshly caught?

Nell: Of course.

Me: By Poppy?

Nell: Who else? Although I think Patrick might be joining her on the boat as she’ll need to concentrate on the fishing.

Me: You have boats?

Nell: We have everything. Has there been any news of Rupert?

Me: He’s still in Canada.

Nell: I hope he’s going to visit Chris, Shannon and Marvin before he leaves.

Me: I’m sure he’ll pop in if he can.

Nell: Pop in? They need a proper visit.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: Hope Cove is looking beautiful.

Me: Yes. It was wonderful to be by the sea and back at the Cottage Hotel.

Nell: Does it feel different now there are new owners?

Me: A little.

Nell: Before we discuss yesterday, it’s the first of October so please share the link to the website where people can buy you a cup of Earl Grey.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin. Thank you so much in advance. Your support means a lot.

Nell: So, how was the book launch?

Me: Really enjoyable. It was good to see Michael and other writers in the flesh again and not just on Zoom.

Nell: I’m glad.

Me: Michael asked me to read from his book so I read the part where his daughter was born and people were moved to tears.

Nell: Well done.

Me: I used to be a voiceover artist so he knew I could do it.

Nell: Did you get a signed copy of his book?

Me: Of course, and he wrote in it that I should write my memoir.

Nell: It’s definitely worth thinking about.

Me: It is.

Nell: I see David is wearing that silly ring on his head again.

Me: He and Harriet were so excited when we came home. They thought we had gone forever.

Nell: It’s our duty and pleasure to welcome you with as much gusto as we can manage.

Me: Dave has a lot of gusto.

Nell: I remember.

Me: Coming home to dogs is always a joy. You never blame us for being late.

Nell: We dogs always forgive. Unlike cats. They forgive nothing and no one.

Me: Cats are different to dogs. You would never see a cat with a ring on its head.

Nell: You would never see me with one either.

Me: No. Sorry.