Behind the magnificent manor house, in the beautiful garden, sat Amelia, dowager Baroness, Widow of Baron George Potter of Hastings. Tears fell down her porcelain face landing softly on the doily she was clutching in her small, shaking hands. The delicate lace brought back fond memories of her late husband and the joyous times they had spent together.

She remembered her wedding day. The magical day when she was given the doily by her mother-in-law. Oh, how splendid George looked in his wedding suit, waiting down the aisle, his raven hair slicked smoothly back. Not to forget all the incredible horse rides they went on together, just the two of them and mother nature. Especially how refined he looked while mounting the horse. No, she shan’t forget anything. Not even the little moments; the laughs at dinner or the endless walks together; the petite glass vase he brought her for her last birthday; the little things, she believed, were the most important.

His beautiful, bright smile that always lifted her spirits and his dapper, quick-witted personality is what she loved the most about him. And what she misses the most. However, she knows that slowly but surely that memory of him will become an almost haze, and eventually she will forget. The memories of her beloved would slowly but surely start to fade away. It breaks her heart that she will lose the memories they have. Even though he is in a better place, it still hurts to lose someone you love so dearly. 477Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DgOCR1eJ1

Looking down at her hands -now wet with tears- she realized that the precious lace was gone. The cold wind must’ve blown it out her hands. As she reached down to pick it up, a short gasp left her lips, “oh, what a sight!”.

There, in the middle of the shallot patch, sat a black and yellow salamander, staring at her. The colouring was seen as something quite rare in these parts, so Amelia couldn’t help but ask herself what that small creature was doing here. It’s small beady eyes reading her soul like a book. For what felt like an eternity they were gazing deep into each other's eyes until suddenly something unexpected happened. A large bird swooped down and snatched the poor salamander in its blade-like claws. It flew away, just as quickly as it came. A speck in the distance. 

This small, unexpected event brought her back to reality, prompting the evil, cruel truth that of the perishable nature of our lives. She now understood that her time to reunite with George would come sooner or later. And even if she was never to see him again at least she spent time with him and knows that he is with her in the heart. She was not scared of the thought of death, not anymore, rather she welcomed it. 477Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ViMi0kVTu

She picked the lace and headed back to the magnificent manor house, leaving the shallot patch and gardens behind.

“Goodbye garden..”, she whispered in a very tired voice.

Would Amelia ever return?