Leaf Whispers

Chapter 1

Liani clutched her favorite book close to her chest as she watched the world go by through the window of the car, where she sat alone in the backseat. She was in deep thought, thinking about so many things. Trying to make sense of the dream she had the night before, and then thinking nothing of it. It was a dream. Maybe it had something to do with the move. Maybe.

Her Mum turned in the front seat "Liani, are you okay sweet? We're nearly at the new house. Beautiful countryside here." Without waiting for a reply she turned around and quietly watched the road ahead.

Liani noticed this and quietly spoke " I'm fine Mum". Julia often let Liani do her own thing. Many people thought of Liani as a little strange, always seeming to be in her own world. Barely talking to others unless she had to. Even when she was a young child. This behaviour became normal for Liani and people that knew her, or thought they did just shrugged it off.

Once when she was little and barely said a word, she was caught having a conversation with a small plant in her front yard. Barely spoke to people, yet here she was having a conversation, with a plant. Her Mum took her away from the plant quickly. Other people were nearby. Julia wanted to stop the stares and whispers. Julia had taken Liani to several doctors to see if there was something wrong and If things could change. Doctors told her she was just reserved and there wasn't much to be done. Except keep her away from negative people. That was part of the reason for the move.

Liani couldn't wait to get out of the car. They had been travelling for four hours. She needed to stretch. Fresh air would be great. And she needed to shake off the feeling she had since she woke up this morning. Needed to think of something else.

Julia was right the countryside was indeed beautiful. It was about Springtime and the grassy fields they past were interspersed with wildflowers of various colours. Focusing on them gave Liani some peace. She also noted the various trees they past, of different varieties. They were thinly spread near the roadside and were mostly in clusters further away. In between the natural looking fields they also passed farmland with new growth of grain crops such as wheat and barley. All quite green and creating a mesmerising effect swaying in the breeze outside.

Nearing the end of their drive, they came to stop at a gate on the left of the road. Julia turned to Liani. "Here we go sweet, I'm so nervous I have butterflies in my stomach. This gate is the beginning of our 'driveway'. A nice private place." Julia started to get out of the car to open the gate, when Liani stopped her. "Let me Mum. I need to stretch my legs."
Julia looked at her in surprise and smiled and stayed where she was.
Placing her book aside, Liani got out and was grateful for the break and fresh air. She started to think how isolated their new place looked. Peaceful. After opening the gate and letting her mum drive through, she spotted a cluster of purple and yellow wildflowers. She bent down and whispered to the plants that she wished to share their beauty with her mum. She picked a few stems and thanked the plants. Got up and closed the gate behind her. As she got back into the car, she leaned over and handed the flowers to her Mum. The delight and the way her face lit up meant so much to Liani. Her Mum had been through a lot lately.
"Thankyou so much Liani! They're beautiful... we best continue then. Shall we?"

With that they continued driving up a mostly unused dirt road, surrounded by wild grasses and flowers, interspersed with occasional birch and spruce trees. As they neared their destination the road opened up to reveal a little farmhouse, with several smaller buildings clustered nearby and a very overgrown garden breaking though a pole and stile wooden fence that needed tlc.

They pulled up and took a moment to take it all in. Julia stated"it's not the fanciest little house, but I'm pretty sure we'll make it the perfect little home before too long."

Liani "Mum it's a wonderful little place."

With that they got out and Liani said "Wait a moment Mum, I want to take a photo. " Liani picked up her polaroid camera and took a photo of the little house and its fence with the overgrown garden. As she took a moment to wait for the photo and shook it out, she then placed it within the pages of her book. They then went through the little gate up to the front door. Julia turned the key and said "We're home!" They then walked around to have a look at everything. In unison they said "kitchen!"as they both rushed off to where they thought it was. They were greeted by a quaint little kitchen that still had an old wood stove with a gas stove added as well. A window above the sink overlooking a wild garden. Their fridge and old table and chairs were already in place. The table was laden with boxes waiting to be unpacked, as well as a few on the floor.

Liani "Dad's been busy. So glad we didn't have to do the heavy lifting!"

Julia "Oh Liani, haha. Don't forget he had removalists help out too. Hopefully he doesn't get held up too long sorting out work. It will be good to have us all here together."

On that note they grinned at each other and started going through the boxes and wiping down the benches and sink. They set to cleaning and putting things away. Liani pulled out a kettle and a couple of teacups. "Cup of tea Mum?"

"That would be great thank you Liani"

This was how Liani and her family started their new life, in a little farmhouse in a quiet corner of the world.