EXCERPT FROM EMAIL TO FRIEND

Yesterday I turned forty. Shane and Rose and I had a blissful lunch at a place in Federation Square. The sun shone, Rose was happy, and it was a very tranquil interlude. It would have been great for Hannah and Lewis to be there too, but they were at school.

Here I’m replying to friend who had sent me a birthday email.

“Today we're taking Rose back in to be seen by her doctor, as she seems a bit sick again. We're in and out of the Royal Children's with her these days, but are getting used to that path. It's lost its scariness now that it's so familiar and we know all her carers very well. ”