Next Monday I have the back-to-school meeting for my twin daughters, who have started 3rd year of ESO (secondary school). I couldn't possibly split myself in two to attend both classes—they have simultaneous meetings—and meet each of their teachers. But it turns out that Fiona has a scheduled appointment at the primary care center (CAP) at the same time, a visit she arranged weeks ago for her recurring dust mite allergy shot, and I've spent all afternoon trying to figure out how I'll manage to be in three places at once. All three, each important.

Having a child transforms you and changes the world you know. The way to explain this metamorphosis was to turn the characters inThe future is a small flame in animals. I made the main family hedgehogs. I thought it was a good metaphor for how I felt. I'd built myself a shell of spikes, not to harm anyone, but to protect myself from them.