Chapter 45 - Old Age

Albin felt as if he had become an old man overnight.

Old age had finally caught up with him. He had decided that it was time to retire and had been given a handsome pension. He wanted to spend his remaining time with his extended family. There were so many of them now that it was a full time job keeping up with them all.

Being off in the day he was able to spend time with his young niece and nephew's.

Albin's kids were growing up. Evelyn had now left school, she had been voted top of her class and the most likely to get married, much to her amusement. 

She knew that whilst she lived at home she wouldn't be able to get herself a full time job. So instead she was taking her writing more seriously. Now school was finished she had been able to write full time and had finished the 'Alpha Male' novel, which had been a modest success. Her second book 'Beta Space' had been a complete flop. 

Evelyn hadn't given up though and was determined to become a successful writer. She hoped her first romance novel 'Cassandra's Curse' would fare better. She spent most of her day at the library working on her novel. In fact through over use she had managed to overheat the library PC one day, the staff were not amused.

Evelyn now helped her mother in the garden, but found it hard work.

Gardening just wasn't her thing, but daughters of the River household were expected to garden and help in the kitchen.

Lance had also graduated school and been voted most likely to electrocute himself.
He got himself a job at the local stadium selling snacks.

It wasn't the most glamorous job in the world, but he got to watch the matches whilst he sold his wares. He had also managed to meet some of  the players and had struck up a friendship with the team starter Cleveland Kwa.

Lance and Evelyn were still very much in love, but felt that they were to young to think of marriage. Lance wanted a steady job so he could support them both and this was some way off yet.

Lois Lutz was now in her teen years and her resemblance to her mother was striking.

She had Merlin often had lessons together and were good friends.

Gwen had started school now and Charli would have found herself lonely if it wasn't for Albin now being around all day.

Merlin was still very much in love with Sim Fu and spent many hours practising by himself and against his father. 

They both felt that they wanted to learn more about it and that another trip to China together in the summer would be beneficial. This time though they decided that they would take Lance. As a exercise enthusiast he would love the opportunity of learning Sim Fu.