Rilla Makes a Discovery
3.3 Cousin George
Before Gilbert could knock, the door flung open as if those inside were anxiously awaiting his visit.
"Gilbo!" greeted Cousin George drawing Gilbert into an enormous hug. "Perfect timing, come in, come in. "Annie!" he said turning to Anne. "About time we met."
"Anne," Anne corrected before the hug crushed her.
"Really?" queried George. "Aunt Mary Maria always said you preferred Annie? How strange! Come inside, come inside, Emily has the kettle on. It's been too long Gilbo, let me look at you."
As George surveyed Gilbert, Anne took the opportunity to survey George. He and Gilbert could have been twins in terms of height and physique except where Gilbert had hazel eyes, George had brown. Anne found it slightly creepy to be looking at a mirror image of her husband.
"You've got to meet Emily, you'll absolutely adore her, I do," George continued as he led them into a large dining hall and introduced them, "Emily, meet Cousins Gilbo and Annie…. I mean Anne."
"Aunt Mary Maria seems to have a talent for getting names wrong," said Anne laughingly, holding her arm out to shake hands with Emily and wondering at the look that crossed Gilbert's face. "She told me your wife's name was Rebecca."
Emily and George looked at each other awkwardly.
"It is." said George suddenly serious. "Emily is my …." As he spoke, he put his arm around Emily and drew her close to him kissing her temple then gathering his strength continued, "Rebecca has moved back to Halifax and I'm going to go travelling with Emily."
Anne and Gilbert looked at each other in shock.
"In fact," he continued. "You're lucky you caught us, we leave next week. We just have to drop the baby at the orphanage and then we'll head for Europe."
If Anne had been shocked before, she turned positively white at the idea of 'dropping a baby off at an orphanage'.
Emily, reading Anne's face motioned towards the sofa, "let's sit down and have some tea"
"Splendid idea, Em, actually Gilbo," said George turning to face Gilbert with a wide grin, "I'm glad you're here, I have a small favour to ask."
