Sunlight through the leaves, coffee cup in hand, and that perfect feeling when you don’t have to do much except cozy up here for awhile. Lately it feels like we’ve been doing lots of ‘not having to do...

The wool feels scratchy tonight, doesn’t it? Not terribly so, not usually - it’s our wool, isn’t it always? A bit worn around the edges, same as us really. That scarf had better be cashmere though, hadn’t it? We wouldn’t want to see any thread trailing off into the gloom then, would we? It was cold last time you were here, wasn’t it? Everyone remembers the cold. Or did you? Maybe you only remember the light filtering through the pines outside the window… which brings us back round, doesn’t it? To the pine needles caught in the hem of the skirt. Always those needle for years, weren’t there? Like little golden memories clinging on.

And your eyes...they didn’t quite meet ours when we said hello. Just a flicker, maybe, a hesitant glance towards the fireplace. Nothing bad, nothing terrible, surely. More likely just a trace of exhaustion than resentment. Though sometimes it felt like more than that, didn’t it? The way he used to stand behind you, silent, comfortable… a warmth that almost pushed us away. Almost.

We haven'ed spoken much since, have we? Only the occasional polite nod during family gatherings. That Christmas, with the fussy nephew and Aunt Mildred’s sherry. Still, you came. And look at you now, all observant, a touch wary perhaps. Were you expecting a smile? Didn't expect too much, did you? Just a hint of recognition.

Now, don't stand there staring. Too obvious, aren’t you? Let’s simply keep the quiet going, let the embers glow, let the feeling settle. This stillness has been nice lately, hasn’t it? Until now, of course."

(A slight tilt of the head, a subtle raise of an eyebrow...)

What do you think?"

Bonus: Feel free to suggest the setting/year/details within the image if you'd like to help refine the mood further!

How does that one go? Do you like the vibe? 😊

Do you want us to take another shot at it, perhaps focusing on a different element next time?