Tree houses and kisses......

Now that it was twilight and the forest was full of golden light, Stephanotis walked Isabel along the path at the far edge of the forest. He had asked her if she would like to go for an evening stroll and though Isabel was shy, her face had been so radiant as she replied that Stephanotis's tummy had gone flip flop at the warmth of her gaze. 'I wanted to make you something Isabel, something that would be just for you.'

He had asked her to shut her eyes and was carefully leading her along gently step by step to where his present awaited. 'If you walk a little backwards now you will feel a bench against your legs, when you have sat down - you can open your eyes.' Isabel did as she was bid - as she opened her eyes her hands flew up to her mouth and her beautiful violet eyes filled with tears. For you see Stephanotis had made her a tree house arbour, for three days he had been rushing in and out with barely a word to anyone - rushing to make his courting gift as perfect as could be. 'It is a safe haven for you to listen Isabel, so that you can hear the deep music - then you can sing for us all and we will remember too'.

Taking Archibold's idea from the Pavilion at the Revels, Stephanotis had made a little tree house in an old fir tree, looking out over the fields and surrounded by the sounds of bird song and the gentle murmur of the leaves moving in the breeze, it was truly a place of peace. 'There is a little wooden flap that lifts up for a writing table, and I have lined the roof with an old plastic bag in between the branches so that you will keep dry, I have started a wild rose too at the base so that by next year you will have roses all around too'.

Isabel held Stephanotis hands in hers, she knew by the mention of the rose that Stephanotis was declaring his love for her. As she thanked him she gently moved his hands in hers and held them together over her heart 'Thank you Stephanotis, thank you, I treasure and love your gift - am I right on thinking that it is your courting gift....?' Now it was Stephanotis's turn to blush as Isabel suddenly twinkled and laughed and kissed him!