Nell: So, what are your plans this Bank Holiday Monday? Are you having a lazy day?

Me: I’m not, I’m going to the gym soon for my aqua class, but Dave is.

Nell: David enjoys lazy days.

Me: He does. He’s been lounging around on my bed all morning watching the Bus Stop or old episodes of Saturday Kitchen.

Nell: We all enjoy a good cooking show.

Me: We do.

Nell: Poppy is thinking of making one for the Guardians.

Me: How will they watch it?

Nell: We have Guardian television.

Me: You do?

Nell: We have everything. I told you.

Me: You did.

Nell: Anyway, Poppy’s going to call it ‘Cooking with Poppy’.

Me: I’d watch it.

Nell: You can’t.

Me: I know but I would if I could.

Nell: I need to tell you something rather exciting.

Me: Please do.

Nell: A lot of our time as Guardians is spent Searching and Finding.

Me: Searching and Finding what?

Nell: Other Guardians. And they’re not always easily found.

Me: I’m glad Poppy, Mutley and Charlie found you.

Nell: They were my Welcoming Party. That’s allowed. Anyway, we found a few very important animals today.

Me: Tell me.

Nell: Yorkshire Terrier brothers Monty and Zapp.

Me: That’s wonderful, Nell. Kev will be so pleased to hear this. He was living with Monty, Zapp and Mutley when we first met.

Nell: I know. I never met Zapp but I knew Monty very well so it was good to see him again.

Me: I’m so happy that you’re all together.

Nell: I knew you would be.

Me: I don’t suppose you’ve found Santa yet, have you?

Nell: Your first dog, Golden Retriever Santa?

Me: Yes.

Nell: No, not yet. But we will. These things take time.

Me: Of course they do. Sorry.

Nell: Harriet looks guilty.

Me: She took Dave’s favourite toy.

Nell: She doesn’t even like it.

Me: I know but she wants him to be near her all the time at the moment and she knows he’ll come and look for it.

Nell: Did it work?

Me: Yes. They’re sleeping next to each other in their beds.

Nell: I wonder why Harriet needs David to be near her.

Me: I think it’s about you, Nell.

Nell: Me?

Me: Yes. The loss of you.

Nell: Oh, I see.

Me: It wasn’t that long ago.

Nell: No, it wasn’t.

Me: And we’re all feeling it.

Nell: We are. I hope there were bacon sandwiches for breakfast.

Me: Of course. It’s Sunday.

Nell: Good. A brisk walk and a good sing-song will sort you out.

Me: It will. Sunday Songs has to be inside today because of the change in the weather.

Nell: Is it raining again?

Me: Yes.

Nell: It’s good for the garden.

Me: True, but it’s a Bank Holiday weekend so I feel a little sorry for the tourists who’ve travelled down here on holiday.

Nell: Don’t worry about the Grockles. They’ll still enjoy themselves. Devon is beautiful even in the rain.

Me: I’m not sure you should call them Grockles.

Nell: Everyone does.

Me: You probably don’t have Grockles.

Nell: Not as such, although we have visitors.

Me: Do you?

Nell: There’s a whole world up here, you know.

Me: I suppose there must be.

Nell: What roast are you having today? Poppy’s cooking Roast Chicken.

Me: We’re not having one.

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Herr Hoffmann wanted a German Sunday lunch so he’s made a casserole.

Nell: A casserole?

Me: With red cabbage and German dumplings.

Nell: Dumplings? On a Bank Holiday weekend?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Can you see Harriet?

Nell: No, I can only see the path and Nigel.

Me: Look harder.

Nell: Hold on, I’ll get my reading glasses.

Me: I thought you didn’t need them anymore.

Nell: I do, sometimes.

Me: Can you see Harriet now?

Nell: Is that her hiding behind some foliage?

Me: Yes. She’s clearly spying on someone.

Nell: On Nigel?

Me: Maybe.

Nell: But Nigel isn’t doing anything.

Me: He didn’t want to walk home. He sat down and refused to move.

Nell: That’s not worthy of being spied upon.

Me: I agree.

Nell: Who else was there?

Me: Dave, Kev and Charlotte.

Nell: And you.

Me: Do you think she was spying on me?

Nell: What were you doing?

Me: Taking photos.

Nell: Highly suspicious.

Me: No, it isn’t, Nell. I always take photos to share with everyone.

Nell: Exactly.

Me: There’s nothing wrong with that.

Nell: If you say so.

Me: Maybe Harriet thinks I’m a spy?

Nell: I beg your pardon?

Me: Maybe she thinks I’m in league with the Italians?

Nell: Rubbish. Harriet thinks nothing of the sort. I was just pulling your tail.

Me: I don’t have a tail.

Nell: I was teasing you. Harriet was probably just playing hide and seek with the boys.

Me: Oh yes. You’re right.

Nell: Nobody could ever think you were an Italian spy.

Me: Which would make the perfect cover.

Nell: Excuse me?

Me: Nobody would suspect me.

Nell: Stop all this nonsense right now. You’re not a spy and you never will be.

Me: You don’t know that.

Nell: I most certainly do.

Me: The Italian rook might approach me at the Bus Stop with a Tupperware of spaghetti bolognese and ask me to join his gang.

Nell: Have you quite finished?

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Me: Happy 1st May, Nell.

Nell: The same to you.

Me: I think May might be my favourite month of the year.

Nell: Why?

Me: It feels like everything is to come. Warmer days are on their way.

Nell: It doesn’t look very warm to me.

Me: It isn’t at the moment but I know it will be. It’s May. The happy month.

Nell: I’m glad you’re happy.

Me: And it’s Friday which is my favourite day of the week.

Nell: You were born on a Friday.

Me: I was. And so was Alice.

Nell: I was born on a Wednesday.

Me: So was Chris. Do you know what else makes me happy?

Nell: Talking to me?

Me: That goes without saying. But also calling Harriet when we’re out on a walk and seeing her little face light up as she runs towards me.

Nell: I remember it well. Now, it’s the first of the month so you know what to do.

Me: Share the link to the website where people can support my writing by buying me a cup of tea?

Nell: Exactly.

Me: It’s https://buymeacoffee.com/saramartin and I am truly grateful for any support you can give me.

Nell: Yes, it is much appreciated.

Me: We realise these are difficult times for everyone so your generosity means a lot,

Nell: What are your plans for the weekend?

Me: Nigel is coming to stay until Sunday so Herr Hoffmann thought we might have a Chinese evening tomorrow.

Nell: Nigel isn’t Chinese.

Me: No, but he enjoys a spring roll and the odd noodle.

Nell: Don’t let David near the chopsticks again, please. You remember what happened last time.

Me: He didn’t realise you were meant to eat with them.

Nell: You should never have given them to him.

Me: Sorry.

Nell: Are the Puppies playing Cheeky Animals?

Me: Yes. Harriet is getting a little carried away.

Nell: David seems as calm as a cucumber.

Me: True. He’s playing a clever game.

Nell: Cheeky Animals is all about subtlety. You’re supposed to stick your tongue out quickly without your opponent noticing. If they do they call out ‘Cheeky Animal’ and win.

Me: Harriet has a very long tongue.

Nell: Harriet is waving her tongue in David’s face. He can’t help but notice.

Me: Yes. Dave is definitely going to win this game.

Nell: It certainly looks like it.

Me: How was tea with Oscar yesterday? Did he put jam on his scone first?

Nell: Yes. Fortunately Charlie was able to whisper in his ear when Poppy went out to get the sandwiches.

Me: You had sandwiches, too?

Nell: Yes, a selection of finger sandwiches with crusts off, of course.

Me: I miss Poppy’s afternoon teas.

Nell: They are exceptionally good.

Me: Was the cream clotted?

Nell: Yes, fresh from the dairy.

Me: It can’t have been, Nell.

Nell: Are you trying to tell me cows can’t be Guardians?

Me: No, I suppose they can.

Nell: Where there’s a cow there’s cream.

Me: True.

Nell: And milk and butter.

Me: I know that. Thank you.

Nell: And before you ask, yes chickens can be Guardians and yes we have eggs.

Me: I presume you had cake for tea, too.

Nell: Of course. Lemon drizzle.

Me: I wonder if Herr Hoffmann would make afternoon tea for us all?

Nell: It probably depends on whether he’s cooking a complicated dinner.

Me: I think it’s fish cakes.

Nell: Fish cakes can be complicated.

Me: No afternoon tea for me then.

Nell: You can still ask. If you don’t ask you don’t get.

Me: Yes. Sorry.

Nell: I see David’s wearing his favourite toy over his head again.

Me: Jane, Ann and Lisa came to clean the house and he likes to make them laugh.

Nell: I remember. They call it his halo.

Me: Fortunately they love dogs because there’s an awful lot of dog hair.

Nell: Nothing to be done. Harriet seems serious?

Me: Dave stole one of the cleaning cloths after she told him not to.

Nell: Naughty animal.

Me: He just loves showing off. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: He shouldn’t steal.

Me: They didn’t mind.

Nell: Harriet’s his older sister. He should listen to her

Me: Only by a few minutes.

Nell: Since my departure she’s been trying to maintain standards.

Me: I’ve noticed her doing quite a few things you used to do.

Nell: Good for her.

Me: She walks me down the stairs.

Nell: Caring girl.

Me: She always eats her vegetables and salad and she’s started grumbling.

Nell: I don’t grumble.

Me: You most definitely do, Nell. You’re famous for grumbling.

Nell: I simply like to make my opinions and feelings clear. Everyone should be heard.

Me: Even Oscar, The Great Barberino? Is he still serenading you, by the way?

Nell: I’m glad to say he’s moved on but sad to say not very far.

Me: What do you mean?

Nell: I think he’s developed a bit of a crush on Poppy.

Me: Brave animal.

Nell: And worryingly enough Poppy seems to like it.

Me: Really?

Nell: She’s wearing a feathered hat and high boots today which is always a sign.

Me: A sign of what?

Nell: High Spirits. She’s invited Oscar to tea and is baking her scones.

Me: Lucky Oscar.

Nell: You’d better hope he puts the jam on before the cream.

Me: You’re right. Sorry.

Me: The countryside is looking so beautiful at the moment. Look at the colour of that field.

Nell: Are David and Harriet searching for something?

Me: I don’t know.

Nell: I’m not sure David should be climbing up the bank.

Me: I wasn’t sure about it either.

Nell: Why didn’t you tell him to come down?

Me: He was enjoying himself.

Nell: David’s always been an explorer.

Me: Yes, it’s one of the reasons why he has to stay on the lead.

Nell: And he doesn’t listen.

Me: No, he doesn’t. Darling naughty Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: Can you be a darling and naughty at the same time?

Me: Dave can. Do you know he’s been trying to dig a hole in our garden to get under the fence?

Nell: Wishful thinking. David’s never going to get under a fence.

Me: That’s what I said but it’s still naughty.

Nell: Dogs like to dig. Harriet loves to dig in the sand.

Me: You were never much of a digger.

Nell: I go my own way.

Me: You couldn’t be bothered.

Nell: That too.

Me: I had a moment in the kitchen the other day.

Nell: What do you mean?

Me: I was standing at the sink and I thought I saw you out of the corner of my eye.

Nell: Maybe you did.

Me: I didn’t, Nell. I just wanted to.

Nell: People often see us Guardians. Just a glimpse.

Me: But you’re not really there.

Nell: We are. We’re always there in your mind and heart.

Me: I know.

Nell: And sometimes this feeling is so strong that for a moment you can actually see us.

Me: So you were there by my side?

Nell: I’m always by your side. You know I am.

Me: I do. Sorry.

Me: Isn’t Bluebell Wood looking beautiful, Nell?

Nell: It is, although the bluebells won’t be there for much longer.

Me: All the more reason to enjoy them while we can.

Nell: True.

Me: If I’ve learnt anything over the past few months it’s that time is precious and we should make the most of it.

Nell: You’re philosophical for a Monday morning.

Me: Walking in places like Bluebell Wood makes you think.

Nell: I see.

Me: And one of the good things about growing older is it heightens your appreciation for the beauty around you.

Nell: It also makes you less tolerant.

Me: Have you become more easy-going now you’re a Guardian?

Nell: Certainly not. Do you know who serenaded me at a ridiculous hour?

Me: Charlie?

Nell: He was asleep.

Me: Who?

Nell: The Great Barberino.

Me: Wonderful. I’m so glad Oscar found you.

Nell: I do not need to be woken by a terrier serenading me.

Me: The Great Barberino is famous for his beautiful voice.

Nell: Well, maybe he can save it until later in the day.

Me: I’d love a serenade from The Great Barberino.

Nell: Poppy would not agree.

Me: Was she dreadfully annoyed?

Nell: Extremely. She drew her sword on him.

Me: Was Oscar dreadfully frightened?

Nell: No. He bowed his head and called her ‘A Magnificent Animal’.

Me: Did that make Poppy even more annoyed?

Nell: Funnily enough, it didn’t. In fact I think I saw her smile.

Me: Really?

Nell: Yes, and now she’s busy making pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup for breakfast.

Me: Not her usual choice.

Nell: It’s The Great Barberino’s favourite.

Me: Is he staying for breakfast?

Nell: Of course he is. You can’t sing your heart out like that and not be fed.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: Nigel is on your chair.

Me: I know he is.

Nell: You sit there with David.

Me: Yes, and sometimes with Nigel when he’s visiting.

Nell: He’s certainly made himself very comfortable.

Me: He was waiting for his spaghetti bolognese.

Nell: Is Nigel a member of The Spaghetti Bolognese Club?

Me: Of course he is, but yesterday everyone was included.

Nell: I hope no garlic was involved, wild or otherwise.

Me: Only garlic bread for those who could eat it safely.

Nell: You mean you, Charlotte and Kev.

Me: I do. Although, I read that squirrels eat wild garlic.

Nell: You didn’t invite a squirrel to dinner, did you?

Me: Of course not. I don’t know any.

Nell: That’s not the point.

Me: You’re right. Don’t worry, no squirrels or rodents were invited to dinner yesterday.

Nell: Was Rupert there?

Me: Yes, with Myfanwy.

Nell: Oh, I see.

Me: I think they’re singing a duet at Sunday Songs.

Nell: Good for them.

Me: It is good to see Rupert looking a little happier. I’ve been worried about him.

Nell: So have I.

Me: Are you having Sunday Songs today, too?

Nell; Poppy is busy cooking the roast but Mutley suggested we sing a few songs around the piano.

Me: Sounds lovely.

Nell: Is Nigel staying for Sunday roast?

Me: No, unfortunately he and Charlotte have to go home after Sunday Songs.

Nell: Perhaps Herr Hoffmann could save them some leftovers and Rupert could take it over to them later?

Me: That’s a very good idea, Nell.

Nell: It seems sad for them both to miss out.

Me: You care about Nigel really, don’t you?

Nell: Nigel is family.

Me: Maybe Herr Hoffmann can find some treats for Xav the Cat, too?

Nell: I didn’t mention cats.

Me: No. Sorry.

Nell: Who is that in your handbag?

Me: It’s Jeremy.

Nell: Jeremy?

Me: He was supposed to be called Julian after Julian Nightbear but I kept calling him Jeremy so it’s obviously his name.

Nell: Julian Nightbear? Who is he?

Me: My first teddy bear. I used to take him everywhere until he fell apart.

Nell: May I ask why Jeremy is in your handbag?

Me: Kev gave him to me to remind me that I’m loved.

Nell: I see.

Me: Every time I reach into my handbag I come across Jeremy’s soft fur and I smile.

Nell: That’s actually rather romantic and lovely.

Me: Well, it was until Dave stole him.

Nell: David stole Jeremy?

Me: Yes. I was showering and David sneaked into my room and took Jeremy out of my handbag.

Nell: Could it have been a mistake?

Me: Definitely not. Fortunately I came out of the bathroom and caught Dave before he could do any damage.

Nell: Damage?

Me: He had Jeremy in his mouth.

Nell: Was he apologetic?

Me: Not really. I think he sees Jeremy as a threat which is silly because there can only ever be one Big Brave Beautiful Boy.

Nell: He’s a stuffed bear.

Me: You don’t like the Stuffed Tiger and Nigel hates it.

Nell: That’s completely different. The Stuffed Tiger is a sly eavesdropper and not to be trusted.

Me: It’s still stuffed.

Nell: Moving on, how was pizza night?

Me: Lovely, but quiet.

Nell: Quiet?

Me: Nigel wasn’t there but he’s coming for Spaghetti Bolognese tonight.

Nell: Nigel isn’t noisy.

Me: He is when he sees the Stuffed Tiger.

Nell: Justified Barking doesn’t count.

Me: I think you’ll find it does, Nell.

Nell: Not when it comes to that tiger.

Me: We’ll have to agree to disagree. Sorry.