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.

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.