Chapter 3: The New Map

Kipwil arrived at the river, mapping materials in a satchel.  She walked along the banks, watching the birdlife call out in alarm when she drew near, finding the little rings in the water that showed some curious fish or animal had just been keeping an eye on her.  There was a lovely little patch of green grass right on the banks, surrounded by trees making a deep, confortable shade, perfect to laze back in.  A rabbit, startled at her approach, darted out of some longer grass to the side and skedaddled up the small slope Kipwil had just walked down.  Kipwil sighed contentedly and set herself down to watch the water, the satchel lying ignored beside her.

It is just so....welcoming  Kipwil thought to herself, feeling a little homesick for 12WBT sometimes I wish I could just disappear here, forever.

The water swirled close to the bank and a familiar face popped up.

" Hiya honey!" said a cheery voice.  It was Mermaid Mel.

Kipwil and the mermaid chatted for a while about children, about life, and about what a great graduation weekend it was.

" So, what are you doing down here, Kipwil?" asked Mermaid Mel when they paused for breath.

" Just enjoying it, " Kipwil said smiling peacefully, " and thinking about getting my goal map together. But I can't think straight right now, with Christmas and everything."

" Well, you know what you want to do, so start with that" burbled Mermaid Mel.  " Anyways, I must be off, good luck and I'll see you again soon!!" With a flick of her tail, she was gone.  A few seconds later her tail poked through the surface of the water and waved 'good bye' to her and Kipwil laughed....she could hear Mermaid Mel doing her best dolphin impression.

" HAH!  Well Done Flipper!!!!" Kipwil called out.

Kipwil settled herself down again and pulled out her drawing materials.  A little germ of an idea was beginning to swirl in her head.  She sharpened a pencil, and drew carefully.  A little later the snip, snip snip of a pair of scissors could be heard.

After some time, Kipwil was done.  She rolled up her parchment and with a last look at the river, slowly walked back to the cottage.

" Hey, where have you been?" Hubba Hubba asked Kipwil as she walked in through the front door.

" I've been down the river, just working out my goal map. Have you done yours yet?" Kipwil asked.

" No, not yet, let's see what you've worked out babe," Hubba Hubba said.

Kipwil unrolled the parchement and hung it on the wall in the kitchen, where she would see it every day.

" It's not a map, as such, " Kipwil said. " I got to thinking that the goals are all interconnected like a family.  So I made a family of paper people. Each goal supports the other and there's room to write more, I just couldn't think straight today"

Hubba Hubba read out the goals.

" One month: Swim 100 m without a break, Maintain weight and cycle 10k once a week.
Three month: Complete beginner triathlon, Maintain weight, run 15 Km in under 2 hours
Six month: Run 10 Km once a week, Swim freestyle 100 m with correct breathing.
Twelve month: Run a half marathon in under 3 hours, run a half marathon and improve time on last one.
I see you've written down how you are going to achieve these too, good job babe!  It's clear, measureable and definitely achievable."  he said.

" Thanks my love, " Kipwil said hugging him. " And I can't wait to see what YOU come up with!"

What will Hubba Hubba come up with?  How will Kipwil handle Christmas goblin food free? What will her first steps towards her family of goals be?