Candy stood on her step stool and stirred the pot with a big wooden spoon. Octavius held out a wooden bowl. 'Ready?' he asked.
She tipped a handful of carrots into the pot. Then a spoonful of rice from Octavius. Next, a handful of green beans. The pot bubbled happily.
Octavius pointed to the shelf. 'That one,' he said, nodding at the raspberry sauce. She grabbed the bottle and poured it in. The broth turned bright pink.
Octavius leaned in. His eyebrows shot up. Then he burst into laughter.
Candy poked the spoon into the pink soup, blew on it, and took a sip. Her eyes went wide. 'It's… sweet!'
Octavius tried it too. He grinned, then grinned wider. They both tried another spoonful. Then another. Still laughing.
They pushed their bowls closer together. 'We have to make this again,' Candy said. Octavius nodded, already reaching for the raspberry sauce.
The kitchen smelled sweet. The pot bubbled pink.