Chapter Ten: Growing Up Fast

 Narrated by Caroline Masterson

One morning, I decided to visit the Perfect Balance Spa in Newcrest. Many of my co-stars talked about how relaxing yoga was, and I realised it would be a great way to relax and unwind. I loved the modern look of the building, particularly the bamboo plants growing near the entrance. Gentle music played from loudspeakers, and I spent some time soaking up the atmosphere. 

At around midday or so, it was announced over the loudspeakers that a yoga class would be starting in half an hour, so I headed towards the studio and paid the fee. After a couple of other participants had arrived, the class began. Some of the movements were a little tough, but ultimately I enjoyed it and I decided to invest in my own yoga mat. 

The weather was getting better, so we decided to purchase a barbecue, and, appropriately, I made some BBQ ribs. I loved the smell of meat grilling on the barbecue, and was again grateful that we'd managed to buy somewhere with outdoor space. Hopefully the weather would stay nice in the coming days...

Peter had been into helping the environment for a while, and had been recycling our used bowls and plates into various bits and pieces for a while now. He had recently invested in a fabricator, and decided to make good use of it by creating an eco upgrade part.

"But I thought you weren't much good at DIY?" I asked. "That's partly why you wanted to become a Spellcaster, so you could use Repairio."

"You don't have to be if it's an eco upgrade part, apparently," he replied. "We can use them to help save water and electricity, which will reduce our bills and be good for the environment. And I should probably work on my handiness a little bit," he added, "since magic can sometimes go wrong and not work."

"Fair enough," I nodded.

On Monday afternoon, we decided to take the children over to the Bramblewood in Henford-on-Bagley. Peter had been talking about wanting to catch some fish for plant fertiliser, as well as for potion ingredients. 

"Why are we here?" Artemis asked. 

"I thought you might like to see some bunnies," I explained. "Lots of them live round here."
"BUNNIES!" she exclaimed. "Can we have a bunny?"
"Maybe," I laughed. "I don't know much about owning them, though. Let's see if we can spot some, shall we?"

First, though, I fancied a swim in the nearby river. Although the weather was cloudy, it was fairly warm. The water was a little chilly, of course, but refreshing. I mused about how it was soon going to be Erytheia and Xanthe's birthday - I almost couldn't believe it. How did I almost have school-aged children? Surely it'd only been yesterday that they'd been tiny babies in my arms... 

After getting out and towelling myself off, I spotted a little greyish-brown rabbit nearby. Xanthe had wandered over, and had also spotted it.

"Bunny!" she exclaimed.

"Shhh," I said. "Keep quiet, else you might scare it away."
"OK," she whispered.

After a little while, she crept towards the bunny and stroked it. Luckily, it didn't seem to mind.

"Oh, it's so fluffy and cute!" she grinned. 

I smiled too. No matter how old my kids were, they'd always find animals adorable. 

The next day, I headed over to Plumbob Pictures to record an episode of "Residency of the Heart", a well-known hospital drama. And dramatic it was - my scenes including flirting with a nurse, screaming at a poor patient, and a death scene. 

All in a day's work! I grinned as I stood up after the death scene.

"You did great, Caroline," the director informed me afterwards. "You're bound to be nominated for a Starlight Accolade soon."

Well, the time had finally arrived... Erytheia and Xanthe's birthday. As rain lashed against the windows - so much for the nice weather lasting - I whipped up a tasty strawberry cake. Then I decorated it with some candles...

"OK, Erytheia, blow them out as hard as you can!" I smiled, picking her up. I then did the same thing with Xanthe.

That evening, I took a photo of them outside their bedrooms that I could send to their grandparents. I loved that they were so close, and hoped they'd remain so for the rest of their lives.