The Garden House

The deck was one of her favorite places to be in the long summer evenings. It was high off the ground and overlooked the garden house and back garden. One end was shaded by a pergola that dripped with wisteria in the early spring, and was now planted with climbing pink mandevillas. Pots of brightly colored fuchsias, and delicately scented carnations lined the deck; hanging geraniums and yellow thousand-bells draped over the railing. In the sun stood several pots of herbs for her cooking: rosemary, thyme, sage, and basil. The table and chairs were arranged close to the sliding glass door, and two chaise lounges with pillows faced out from the house – perfect for star gazing on clear nights.

Miranda took out one of her vintage table cloths, a floral one in blues and green and pale yellow. Then she went to the garden and snipped some white daisies and blue delphiniums and put them in a green earthenware jar for the middle of the table.

Soon, her blue crockery held vegetables, cheese, and the dips. She took a moment to admire how pretty it all looked. Then she ran upstairs, took off her t-shirt, and pulled on a pretty embroidered tunic and some gold hoop earrings. She started to put on a pair of sandals, then kicked them off. She loved being barefoot.

She went back to the deck and began to set the table.