Stella crossed to the sink beneath the window to fill the kettle. "Would you like lavender tea?

Shattered thoughts cut through her mind like a chain lightning that zapped her heart, knotted her stomach and riveted her feet to the earth.

Her heart lurched. Perhaps her own grief and sadness called out to Ebony. Rachael didn’t know, but something had happened. It was as if their spirits had touched. Carried through the air like a charge of static electricity, connecting and mingling.

Rachael dropped her handbag on the kitchen bench and sat on a stool. “How do you cope with everything?” “I have staff. Donna is still here. She helps in the gift shop. Pete and Courtney work on the farm. They work longer hours when the lavender is harvested. Karen and Sue - you haven’t met them - help me make lavender candles and pot pourri

Guilt added to Rachael’s grief. Swirled amongst it like a river of shame.

The house would never be the same again. Her grief painted it with hues of grey.