I'm a little bit sad to say that this story is winding up. It's my first Anne/Gilbert story but I don't want to flog a dead horse as it were, it's just coming to a natural conclusion as I always meant for it to finish when they went off to Redmond; when the Bend was successfully negotiated as it were.

"You look wonderful in that blue dress, Anne," Diana said admiringly as Fred helped Anne into the carriage. "It's so lovely to see you in a bit of colour again." They were off to the Carmody dance and were picking up Gilbert next. "We're just going together because it's convenient, you understand Diana. Since Fred was kind enough to offer." Diana nodded but inwardly she groaned. Anne was being her usual obstinate self when it came to Gilbert.

Diana had tried to talk to her during the week, and it had not gone down well. She had seen Marilla on her way in who said, "I hope you can talk some sense into her, Diana. I'm at my wit's end."

"I'm worried about you Anne. You must see how Gilbert acts around you, he did give you the school after all," Diana had said after they greeted each other.

"Are we going to dredge that up every time, Diana? That was a selfless act I agree, but I can hardly be made to pay for it for the rest of my life. He's a lovely boy, but perhaps just not the one for me. I don't know why no one else can see it. Everyone's pushing me Diana and I just don't know what to do." Anne stood up and crossed over to the window. The sun was high in the sky and in the distance the fields glowed yellow.

"Darling, I'm not pushing," Diana said placatingly. "It's just we've all watched you these past two years and you've been getting on so well."

"Well stop thinking like that Diana. There is nothing going on between the two of us. Gilbert is just a good friend, nothing more. There's nothing wrong with that is there? We can be close without being close if you know what I mean. Is it written anywhere that boys and girls can't be chums?"

"We…ll no, it's not written down or anything. It's just unusual Anne. And Gilbert…"

"What about Gilbert?"

"Well, I think he was hoping for something more. The way he looks at you."

"He can just go on hoping then. I'm not going to go against my wishes just to please him. He's a popular boy he can find someone else if he wishes," Anne's voice rose as she grew more strident.

Diana gave up, Anne was getting upset and she could see she was getting nowhere, "well I'll leave it then Anne, if you don't want to talk about it."

"Thank you!" Anne said emphatically, opening her wardrobe. "Now what about this dress? Do you think it's too drab?"

Diana did her best to ignore the stony silence in the back of the carriage and instead took Fred's muscular arm in her own and chatted about who she expected to see that night. She was looking forward to introducing him to all her friends. Still, she was relieved to finally arrive and watch as Anne leapt down before Gilbert could offer her a hand. Together they waited until Fred returned and walked in together, Diana and Fred an obvious couple while Anne and Gilbert were very definitely not. They went their separate ways as soon as they entered, Diana rushing over to a group from Carmody whom she knew, and Anne and Gilbert disappearing in separate directions.

Anne had an aggravating night, it seemed to her that every friend she saw had a man on their arm. Their partners were sweet enough, but she kept bumping into Gilbert and the way he looked at her made her uncomfortable. "Can we dance?" he asked at one point, but she showed him her dance card. "Sorry it's full," she said unapologetically. She dared not think that was because her friend's took pity and urged their partners to dance with her. "Poor Anne," Tilly told her beau. "She's having boy problems. Ask her for a dance, will you. She's perfectly harmless even if she is a little peculiar." Anne accepted the boy's offer and soon was being led around the dance floor acutely aware of Gilbert's eyes fixed upon her. She smiled up at her partner and tried to make small talk, affecting a gay manner.

Gilbert was gloomy, every effort he made to get close to her was rebuffed. Fred joined him in the line for the privy and asked how he was going? They had known each other since way back and Fred hated to see his old friend so upset. "Will you take my advice, Gilbert?" he asked.

"What?" replied Gilbert tetchily.

"Leave her, forget her. You'll be off to college soon enough. Handsome boy like you, you'll find someone who falls in love with you in no time."

Gilbert looked at him despondently, "easy for you to say, you're all set. I can't imagine living my life with anyone other than Anne, could you just forget Diana?"

"No, but as you say it's different. Diana and I… Well let's just say it's going well. Can you say the same thing about your relationship with Anne? You've known each other for years Diana tells me, and it looks to me as if you're as far apart as ever."

It was Gilbert's turn at the privy, so he stepped up, but he saw Fred on the way back who touched him on the shoulder. "I'm not saying you have to do as I say Gilbert, but I think you should at least think about it. You look utterly miserable."

As Gilbert approached the hall the sound of laughter and merriment repelled him. All of a sudden he found himself unable to enter. Instead, he loitered around outside, chatting to the other boys and longing for the others to decide they'd had enough. If home had been closer, he would have walked but he had no choice but to wait for the ride. In the distance he could hear muttered asides about Anne. "Uppity orphan, who does she think she is? Gilbert's too good for her anyway." He had half a mind to accost the speaker but ultimately, he found he hadn't the inclination. Part of him agreed with them, why wasn't he good enough for her?

Anne and Dora had been invited to the Barry's for afternoon tea the next day. For some reason Anne was reminded of the first time she and Diana had met all those years ago, how nervous she had been. The foursome took tea in the parlour before the younger pair went their separate way up to Minnie May's bedroom.

"Oh, Anne. I just can't hold it in any longer," Diana said after the little girls had run out of sight. "Fred is such a gentleman he was so lovely last night. He insisted on filling my card, he's such a good dancer Anne; you'd never guess to look at him. I thought he looked very fine in his coat and tie, didn't you? And he's got so many interesting stories. I just can't stop thinking about him. He puts all the local boys to shame; they all seem so flat and dull in comparison."

Anne listened to her in some shock, either Diana was lovesick, or they had met different men. As far as she was concerned Fred was nice enough but nothing like the paramour Diana described. Diana had barely drawn breath, "and he's so handsome, I love the way he macassared his hair, he looked so regal with it all slicked back. And those flowers he bought me. I put them in that vase," she gestured. "I look at them all the time they're just so sweet, like the man who gave them to me." Inwardly Anne was raising her eyebrows, but she hoped she was able to keep her feelings hidden. She'd never seen Diana quite so enraptured. It was endearing in a way, still there was only so much a girl could take, even when it was one's bosom friend doing the swooning.

At bedtime when Anne was tucking her in Dora said, "You looked so pretty last night, Anne. I can't wait 'til I dress up like a fine lady and go out to dances with my beau. Why don't you like Gilbert anymore?" she said with an abrupt change of direction.

"What?" replied Anne confused. "Who said I didn't like him?"

"Well, I guess no one ever said, but you don't seem to talk to him much anymore. Ever since our picnic. I don't know what happened Anne, but it made you sad."

"No silly," Anne said with an insincere laugh. "Nothing happened. Gilbert and I are still friends."

Dora looked at her appraisingly, her frank stare unsettling before she added, "I thought you said God hated liars."

"I'm not lying Dora."

Dora made a small sound, looked at her and turned away. Adults were silly sometimes, they said one thing and meant another. She wondered if she'd be like that too when she was a grown up.

Since the twins had come to live at Green Gables Dora had shared Marilla's bed which meant Marilla's bedtime routine had changed somewhat. So as not to wake the child Marilla undid her pins and braided her hair then got changed into her nightie in the near gloom. Tonight, she turned around and was shocked to see the candlelight reflecting off Dora's eyes. "Dora! Whatever are you doing awake?"

"Thinking," Dora said simply.

Marilla pulled the covers back and climbed into bed, her feet instinctively searching for Dora's warmth. "What's keeping you awake, darling?"

"Why is it that grown-ups tell fibs all the time and they never get into trouble? If Davy or I did that, we'd get sent up to bed without any dinner."

"Who is lying?" Marilla asked, somewhat mystified.

"Anne. She's lying about loving Gilbert. Why is that?" asked Dora sounding eerily like her brother.

"Oh darling, grown-ups are just funny when it comes to love," Marilla said pulling Dora into her arms and stroking her hair.

"So why doesn't Anne get into trouble?"

"Well, she's a adult, I can't send her to bed without any supper, that wouldn't be right would it. She has to come to her own decision."

"Before God?"

"Absolutely. Did you say your prayers?" Marilla was confident that Dora had, she was a dutiful Christian, unlike her tearaway brother. Usually, she or Anne sat with Davy while he asked God all sorts of outlandish questions. Marilla had thought Anne right queer when she landed at Green Gables but in this regard as in so many others, Davy left Anne's peculiarities in the dust.

"Yes, Marilla."

"Well, I'll put out the candle now, it's time we went to sleep."

Into the darkness Dora added, "will Anne realise she does love Gilbert?"

"I can only pray so, darling."

In the next room Anne also found it hard to sleep. She tossed and turned as Dora's words, delivered without sentiment or candour, echoed in her mind. Was she lying? Did she love Gilbert? No, surely not. He was just a chum. She remembered how she'd felt when he caught his chill the other week. It really wasn't anything serious, but her blood ran cold when she thought he might be quite ill. That doesn't mean anything, she scoffed. I'd be upset if any friend died. Anyway, I'm set now. The year is coming to a close and Gilbert will probably be off to Redmond in the fall, and I'll be here teaching. She had never mentioned it to Marilla, but she desperately wanted to continue her education. The thought that Gilbert had the opportunity to do so stung. It's easy for boys, she thought self pityingly. I have to stay and help rear the twins with Marilla. Not that I don't love them all, she added berating herself for her ungrateful musings. It's just the thought of all those stimulating lectures and city life. She rubbed away the gathering tears. There's no point in setting my cap after Gilbert. He'll be away meeting all sorts of interesting women and becoming a doctor, and I'll be stuck here in Avonlea listening to Diana swoon over Fred. She couldn't help shedding a tear or two and woke up the next morning on a damp pillow.