It had been a few weeks since the Avonlea/Carmody Dance, and many of the students and young folk still considered it the highlight of the year. With Christmas fast approaching, all the girls talked about dresses and dance steps while many of the boys were still impressed with the amazing renovations by Joshua Pye.

Joshua had taken this in his stride, finding himself with more work than ever before. He had gained quite the reputation for being a skilled handyman; consistent in both the quality of work and the quantity of time taken. For Joshua, this was the opportunity to set up his future and ensure he could provide for himself. An admirable goal for any young man but with added importance for a Pye.

As he stood outside the general store, Joshua gazed down the road towards the school and thought about his own path in life. Back when he was a young student, there had been no teacher to guide him. He'd have been lucky if the teacher had even known who he was half the time. Joshua had always been a quiet student who simply wanted to get the job done. With no aspirations or encouragement, Joshua was simply another boy in the class who would be a farmer like his farmer.

Except, Joshua wasn't a farmer. In fact, neither was his father. Not really. Joshua's pa was more of a salesman for farmers. Pa knew naught about seasons and produce and dirt, but he sure knew how to sell it at the markets. Plenty of farmers in the area wanted Joseph Pye to take their goods to market. That's just how the Pyes were.

Except, Joshua wasn't a salesman either. He hated talking to anyone. It wasn't his way. And he knew nothing about any produce, let alone knew enough to sell it. Fortunately for Joshua, Pa's travels meant Joshua was left at home with his mother and Amelia. Fortunate because this gave him plenty of time to potter around and fix things. The leaky roof in the shed. The wheel on the wagon. The drawer in the kitchen. The gate for the Parkers next door. Their barn door. The chicken's roost for the neighbour next to them. Eventually, the word in Carmody was: If you ever need a handyman, Joshua was your man.

Avonlea Hall was the best thing to happen to him. Now, Joshua was fully aware he had been asked to do it because of his family name. However, Anne's help had made the Hall into something spectacular. He was super proud of his workmanship on the Hall. The colours were brilliant and the building was sound and sturdy. What Anne and her friends had done with it for decorations… Well! That had made the Hall the biggest selling point for Joshua Pye!

And all because someone had believed in him.

Joshua smiled to himself. He wasn't the only one to fall under Anne Shirley's magic. Joshua had seen first hand the difference she made on her students. His own sister was a great example. Before Miss Shirley, Amelia was determined to follow in Josie's shadow, marking every fashionable step along the way. All Amelia could see in her future was a long line of dresses and suitors leading to a rich husband and a house to hold all of them.

Joshua was never sure whether Amelia meant for the house to home her, her husband, AND her suitors, but he was wise enough not to ask.

To be perfectly honest, Joshua never expected Amelia to respond to anything Miss Shirley said. Not after everything Josie would say at the family dinners. However, over the weeks, Joshua had seen a change in Amelia.

Amelia was starting to have ideas. Not about dresses but about people. Things. Places. Amelia was asking questions about the world around her. Why do you think they planted that tree there? How many people need to live in a village before we start calling it a town? How do bears know when to go to sleep? The more she asked, the more she stopped to notice. Joshua could see the cogs turning as Amelia started to consider how big the world was.

This was the Anne Shirley effect.

Joshua smiled as he recognised the bright red hair bobbing down the road, followed by a small number of children bouncing along with her. School had finished at least 30-minutes ago, and yet some of the children had insisted on helping their beloved Miss Shirley to clean up before heading home.

Anne looked up and saw Joshua waiting at the store. She smiled warmly to him and called out, "I think one of these is your sister but the pixies keep dancing so quickly, I can never catch one to be certain!"

Sure enough, Amelia came skipping around Anne's left, laughing at her teacher. "We were all pixies at the dance, Miss Shirley. Even you!"

Anne laughed and shrugged her shoulders. To Joshua, the whole image was a beautiful sight filled with innocent joy and happiness. He could never wish anything more for his sister.

"Alright, children. We have now reached the end of our journey and it is time for us to part ways. For your destiny lies on a separate path, one that I cannot follow with you today. Sarah, your path leads up the main road to your mother's bakery. Geraldine, your path leads down that road to your family's farm. Since it shares a path with Jane, I suggest you travel together. And young Amelia, your path leads right into your brother's capable hands to guide you home."

Each of the girls took turns saying the most dramatic of good-byes to their sweet teacher (it was Thursday, and they all knew they would see her again tomorrow but one should never waste an opportunity for dramatic goodbyes). With Amelia the last girl remaining, Anne offered the Pyes to come inside the store and warm-up before returning home.

To Joshua's surprise, Lucilla greeted them from behind the counter. "I was wondering if you were coming in at all. Don't get me wrong, I know it's cold enough to freeze you solid to the porch right there but still!"

Anne laughed at Lucilla as she unwrapped her scarf. "I had a bit of company and their energy was enough to keep me warm." Anne gave a quick wink at Amelia who stifled a giggle.

"Lucky for you all, I noticed Mr Pye a short while ago. Enough time to make some hot cocoa to warm your bellies." Lucilla pointed out the mugs sitting at the end of the counter on her right, one of them topped with a pink marshmallow. Amelia squealed with delight and ran over to grab it first.

Joshua blushed. "Oh, you really didn't have to do that. I mean…"

"It was my pleasure. And I would like to think that any friend of Anne's is a friend of mine." Lucilla could see Joshua was feeling uncomfortable with the attention and held in her little sigh. Where was the jovial chap she had danced with all those weeks ago? How could she make him open up, the same way Anne did? This was Lucilla's prized quest, and one she was determined to complete with absolute success. "Speaking of Anne, hello my sweet. I have a parcel for you."

Anne's eyes widened. "Is it cupcakes from Diana? Or maybe a new hat from Mrs Blythe-she said she had an old one she thought would suit me better than her."

"No. Some new texts from Redmond have arrived, plus the books you requested for school. And as a cherry on top, your essay results are in with the next batch ready to be assigned. Will you ever stop studying?"

Anne didn't know whether to laugh or groan. She had hoped the incoming storm might have delayed her college assignments until next week, giving her a weekend off to make snow angels. On the other hand, she would have her assessment results. Small mercies abound.

"Oh, fine. Is the parcel here or upstairs?"

"I left it in the box by the back step. I thought you might want to take it with you to Avonlea tomorrow." Lucilla always looked forward to Friday. Not that she had any interest in young Gilbert Blythe. Rather, Lucilla loved seeing the strong healthy friendship between Anne and Gil. It was refreshing to see two people not caught up in the social politics of courting and the like.

The friends were interrupted by the doorbell as a flushed older girl dashed into the store. "Oh my goodness! It is COLD out there! I'm sorry to rush but I need to be home before the storm hits. Miss Lavendar will be so worried!"

The young lady took off her hat, revealing two big blue bows tied up in her fair hair. The young lass was barely older than fourteen and clearly not one of Anne's students. Anne would have remembered the big blue bows. They were definitely … characteristic.

Lucilla at least recognised her. "Leonora, it is good to see you again. How is Miss Lewis? And the lovely Echo Lodge?"

"Very good, ma'am. We're mostly stocked up for the winter, except Miss Lavendar forgot to purchase some vanilla. I could almost guarantee we'll be having a tea party in the next few weeks and of course, we will have no vanilla."

While Lucilla went to fetch the vanilla, Joshua and Amelia had moved along the counter towards the back of the store; Amelia wanted to be closer to the warmth but Joshua wanted to move away from the extra people. Anne, however, had stayed put.

"Hello there. I don't think we've met. My name is Anne Shirley, I'm the teacher in town but I'm from Green Gables in Avonlea. Please tell me more about Echo Lodge. The name alone sounds exquisite!"

Leonora was taken aback by Anne's forthcoming nature. "Uh, it's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. No, we haven't met. I'm sure I'd remember hair like yours, ma'am. I mean, it is mighty fine hair. Real lovely. I just ain't seen anything like it before."

Anne was a little stunned at Leonora's comments, but before she could rile up, the young lady had continued: "It reminds me of the sunsets at Echo Lodge. The back of Miss Lavendar's house opens up to the garden, with dahlia's and azaleas she has been growing for years. The colours are filled with light pinks and yellows but when the sun sets, it casts this orangey peachy glow over the whole garden. Now, I don't know my words and all, but it is mighty pretty. Much like your hair, ma'am."

Young Leonora may not have thought much of her words but the response from Anne was equally poetic. Her eyes glistened with the visual picture painted before her. And for this stranger to compare her dastardly hair with such an image was too great a compliment. Anne knew she had found a kindred spirit in Leonara. And more importantly, Anne felt compelled to visit Echo Lodge and see this vision for herself.

"Oh, Miss Leonora! You have gifted me with such depths of joy today. Please, let me buy the vanilla for you today! And may I return the favour by joining you for the tea party? I would so love to see this sunset and meet your lovely Miss Lavendar!"

Leonora was stunned but she was too polite to refuse. "It would be, uh, lovely to have you visit. I need to check with Miss Lavendar. But, can I send word to you next week? Maybe?"

By the time Lucilla had returned with the vanilla, Anne was gripping Leonora's hand with the biggest smile on her face. Leonora looked mostly happy with the situation and Joshua was still hiding at the end of the counter, trying to stifle a laugh at this whole situation.

Anne turned to Lucilla and grabbed the vanilla. "Here, Miss Leonara. My treat. And I look forward to hearing from you next week. Now, quick! Hurry home to Echo Lodge. Do you need a ride?"

"Oh, thank you ma'am but no. My pa is driving me there with some deliveries. We should be there before the storm. Thank you, ma'am. Goodbye!" And with that, Leonora dashed out of the store, with her blue bows bouncing behind her.

"What a fascinating young lady! And Echo Lodge sounds positively delightful!" Anne remarked.

Lucilla smiled. "Oh yes, Echo Lodge is delightful. And so is Leonora and the equally delightful Miss Lewis. Leonora is Miss Lewis' maid; her fourth, actually."

Anne turned to Lucilla, shocked. "Really? Did something happen? Is Miss Lewis…"

"Oh no! Leonora's oldest sister was the first employed by Miss Lewis. Her name is Charlotta. Lovely lass, about my age. Upped and married after a year in Miss Lewis' service so the next sister took over. Julietta. Then Evelina. And now Leonora."

Anne sighed. "They all have such lovely names."

Lucilla laughed. "I suppose so if you like the romantic sounds. Not that it helps Miss Lewis. She is a little… distracted. She has a tendency to forget who she is talking to and ends up calling them all Charlotta. Leonora is officially known as 'Charlotta the Fourth'. Sometimes, when it has been a while since her last town visit, it can take Leonora a little while to remember she is Leonora and not Charlotta."

"I've been there. Once." Anne and Lucilla had almost forgotten Joshua was still in the store. Even Amelia had quietly listened to Lucilla's story. "Echo Lodge. It really is as lovely as it sounds. I went out there once to fix a broken wall around the edge. It's one of the oldest houses on the Island."

"Well, aren't you the little adventurer?", said Lucilla.

Joshua blushed under her praise. "I just go where the work takes me."

Anne had an idea. "We could do with some work here. I mean, the back stairs have a loose step, remember Lucilla? Do you think you could fix that for us, Joshua?"

Lucilla had a quizzical look on her face. "We would have to check that with my uncle first, before he could pay anything…"

"Oh, I wouldn't charge you. You and Anne are my friends. I would be happy to help out. But I… uh, I can't today. Amelia and I have to head home."

Amelia jumped at the opportunity to join the conversation. "You could come back on Saturday. Mother is taking me to White Sands so you'll be free all day."

Joshua had no option left but to agree. Lucilla had no option but to allow. Anne simply smiled.

"Great! It's booked. Thank you, Joshua. You have no idea how much that will help. Well, you better head home before the storm hits. And I have book reports to mark, don't I Amelia?"

"Yes, Miss Shirley. Let's go, Joshua! Goodbye Lucilla! Thank you for the hot chocolates!" Amelia all but dragged her brother out the door and they continued to run towards their buggy across the street.

Lucilla was stunned again. This had definitely ended up being a very surprising afternoon. She turned around to watch Anne gaily walk towards the back stairs. "What are you up to, Anne Shirley?"

Anne cast her most innocent look (which, in all honesty, was not very innocent looking at all). "Who, me? I'm merely heading upstairs to mark the book reports. Just another lonely night as a teacher." And with a smile, Anne ducked upstairs before Lucilla could ask any more questions.

It was, after all, the Anne Shirley effect.