Paperbark Hill by Maya Linnell

Author:Maya Linnell [Maya Linnell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2022-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

The sky changed from pink to red, with streaks of silver and gold reflected in Lake Bridgefield below. After seven kilometres of speed walking, Diana felt like the windmill at the top of the track, full of creaks and groans.

‘Let’s pause here a minute, Pen.’

‘No arguments from me,’ Penny said, stretching against the base of the windmill.

Lara jogged up the side of the hill, barely sweating, despite having run twice as far as they’d walked. ‘How’s the view this morning?’

Unlike their feelings about exercise, that was one thing they could all agree on.

‘Amazing,’ Penny said, taking out her phone and snapping a photo of the three of them with the sunrise in the background.

‘You should use this on your socials,’ Penny said as she showed Diana the photo.

‘Pfft, fine for you young ’uns. I look like a beetroot in active wear,’ said Diana. ‘I don’t know if anyone else needs to see that. Remember, I’m an ambassador for—’

‘Sadie Woodford,’ Penny and Lara chorused.

‘As if we’d forget. You’ve only mentioned her name about a hundred times this week,’ Lara said. ‘Poor, Ned, he’d hear it even more than us.’

Diana gave them a withering look but couldn’t hide her smile for long. The last month had flown past and she was getting more excited about the event as the spring flowers made way for the summer blooms. The dahlias were shooting up and she had regular emails from Bron, Sadie’s PA Ellen, and even a few from Sadie herself.

‘Seriously, though, from a marketing perspective, your followers will love a few candid snaps that have nothing to do with flowers. They’re buying into Darling Dahlias as a package and you, my love, are the main part of that brand.’

‘Sweaty, no make-up, with a cheesy smile is a branding angle?’ Diana was doubtful.

‘Authentic, living your best life,’ Penny corrected. ‘It’s one of your marketing pillars, remember?’

She was right. Diana begrudgingly uploaded the picture to Instagram and the farm’s Facebook page.

‘Oh, you should see the bottles of wine that arrived yesterday.’

Penny peered at Diana’s phone screen. ‘The labels are gorgeous!’

‘Is that gold foil on them?’ Lara asked as she squeezed in for a look. ‘I hate to think how much this type of launch costs.’

‘Doesn’t seem to be an issue. Nanna Pearl said they’ve already pre-paid for the catering,’ Penny said. ‘Love how Bridgefield gets a mention, too. Did you ever imagine seeing your business splashed across the side of a wine bottle, sis?’

Diana grinned. ‘All thanks to my good friend, Sadie.’

They headed for home at a more conversational pace, Penny talking about the upcoming harvest and Lara telling them about the Bunbury marathon she’d booked for Toby’s Christmas present.

‘Isn’t that the worst Christmas surprise ever? A marathon ticket …’ Diana couldn’t think of anything worse.

Lara laughed. ‘We’ve never been to Western Australia before, so it’ll be a holiday as well. It’s not until April, so we’ve got plenty of time to train.’

‘Definitely not my type of holiday,’ Diana shuddered. ‘Maybe you can stay with

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