Rachael could see the lavender fields from where they sat at the kitchen table. They stretched in a purple haze over the landscape, the bright sunshine washing over them. The mauve complimented the blue-grey of the Australian bush in the far distance.

Mark put his bag on the floor and looked around. Chintz wallpaper with pink roses on a light cream background covered the walls, while drapes of the same pattern fell across French doors that obviously led outside.

A moss-covered path tended its way around the magnolia tree. Mark started along it, his leg brushing against the perennial border where cheerful yellow daffodils nodded their heads in greeting.

A feeling of calm always fell over her like a cloak of happiness settling on her shoulders when she entered her father’s woods. Tall trees welcomed her under their canopy, offering her protection, while a carpet of yellow lesser celandine, with their shiny star-like flowers and dark green heart-shaped leaves, tickled her ankles as she walked amongst them.

Orchids?” Here I go again, repeating every word but this time I smiled. Orchids. Now that sounded better. More like my first impression.

The stone wall was at her back, a door in the wall on her left and bluebells grew on either side of the seat.

How beautiful the house was with its magnolia trees lining the drive, their branches outstretched as if they were beckoning him inside. Rose tipped blossoms caught the last of the sun’s golden light, giving the flowers an ethereal glow that shimmered and looked magical.