Ellen opened the window to her bedroom and looked out at the quiet suburban street. The sun was shining, and the scent of Lavender filled her senses as a light breeze gently touched the Lavender hedge along her garden path.  This immediately lifted her spirits and a smile crossed her lips as she remembered the day she and her mother had planted the Lavender 5 years earlier.

Ellen and her mother had always got on well.  As long as she could remember they had never had one cross word. As she closed her eyes and took a long deep breath Ellen could see her mothers smile, she could hear her laughter and picture her beautiful face. There was always a sparkle in her stunning green eyes.  ”I miss you Mum, Happy Birthday” Ellen said aloud as she slowly opened her eyes. Again a breeze caught the Lavender and sent a fragrance so strong to Ellen that she wondered if her mother was watching over her and comforting her. 

Ellen went down to the kitchen and made herself a coffee. “Hello Toffee’ she said as she bent down to smooth her cat that was rubbing around her legs and purring loudly. “Do you want feeding sweetie” A little miaow offered the answer. Ellen poured some cat biscuits into the bowl and placed it on the floor. Toffee began eating, still purring as she done so. 

Later that morning there was a knock at the door. Ellen was in the middle of washing the dishes, she dried her hands on a tea towel before opening the door. There was no one there. ‘That is odd’ she thought as she walked down the garden path to see if she could see anyone. There was not a sole in sight. Ellen turned to walk back down the path, something made her stop in her tracks; it was the scent of the Lavender again. There was no breeze this time, yet she could smell it so powerfully.  It had never been that strong before.  Ellen bent down and gently rubbed her fingers between some of the Lavender flowers, bringing her fingertips to her nose she inhaled deeply, taking in the beautiful scent.  As she crouched there she looked up at the clear blue sky.  ’I think I will take a walk in the park this afternoon’ she thought. It is such a lovely day.  As she walked towards the front door she thought she saw her mother waiting there for her.  Ellen closed her eyes and opened them again; her mother had gone.  Today would have been her mothers 65th birthday.  Cancer had taken her from Ellen 6 months ago and she missed her deeply. They would often walk in the park on a lovely day. They would chat about the flowers and the birds, they always loved the park.  ’Yes, this afternoon I will take a walk in the park’ Ellen thought to herself once more.