Chapter 12

Penny Winston left her brother's office on the twenty-first of January, shivering slightly to look at the grey skies laden with snow. She was determined to rush through her shopping that afternoon, having decided that today would be the day she would go and call on the town's school teacher. Andrew had asked her to go in his stead, and she agreed, with no outward sign of reluctance.

"Miss Winston, what can we do for you today?"

Penny smiled at the woman who ran the local bakery, her round face flushed from the heat of ovens that rarely went out.

"The usual, Mrs Randall."

Penny was handed three loaves of bread that she placed carefully in the basket, and she looked in the small display case, selecting some butter tarts for afternoon tea. As she was counting out her coins, she heard an incredulous voice behind her.

"You don't make those yourself, Miss Winston?"

Penny turned to greet two older women who had already received their orders and addressed the taller of them. "Mrs Langley, good afternoon." She smiled as evenly as she could. "I'm afraid I was behind on my baking for the day, and Lizzie will be home from school soon."

"In my day, all of our baking was done by noon," Mrs Langley said sweetly. "However the younger generation will do things differently. I suppose your brother doesn't mind how things are kept as long as he is fed."

"Actually, my brother does not need me for that. He's quite proficient in the kitchen himself. Our mother believed in all of us learning to cook." Penny ignored the look of disdain from the other woman, and shifted the basket to the other hand. "I really must be going, I want to make sure I catch Miss Shirley at school today."

The shorter of the women leant in avidly. "I saw the way the school teacher monopolised your escort's time at the Christmas ball, Miss Winston. I found it quite shocking, in fact. You were so polite to handle it so calmly."

Penny's jaw clenched. This wasn't the first time that someone had commented, and she drew in a deep breath. "Doctor Blythe was not my escort that night, Miss Caruthers. My brother was."

"Still, to see him dance with her-"

Penny interrupted, attempting to end the conversation with two of the worst gossips in Four Winds. "Miss Shirley is an old acquaintance of Doctor Blythe's from home. They were classmates, I believe."

"The way I heard it, she was an orphan from Nova Scotia, not the Island." Miss Caruthers commented, with a sharp look.

Penny was calm. "And yet Avonlea is her hometown."

The two women gave her a pitying look as they left the store, and she turned to see Mrs Randall put an extra package into the basket with a frown.

"That's for the poppet, she loves the gingerbread cookies. Your brother comes in here to buy them for her all the time."

Penny gave a shaky laugh. "So that's why Lizzie has such a sweet tooth!"

Mrs Randall moved her sizable frame around the counter and gave Penny clumsy pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry about the old crones, Miss Winston. You can't tell me that Doctor Blythe has done anything to be ashamed of- a fine young man like him. The way he helped my Jasper last year-" she said, shaking her head with a sigh. "I thought it was nice of him to talk to the poor dear at the dance."

The younger woman manufactured a smile. "Thank you, Mrs Randall. I'll see you next week."

Penny walked from the building, her feathers distinctly ruffled and her smart shoes moving down the weathered steps quickly. Of all the unreasonable people in the town, those two women were the worst- they were the people who had spread vicious rumours about the couple next door, a hardworking husband and wife who had left the town soon after. Penny's brows lowered in anger. The same couple had been the first to visit a frightened twenty-year-old girl who found herself caring for her two-year-old niece- young Mrs Costa had taught her how to care for Lizzie, and how to work the stove that had so bewildered her.

Penny drew in a deep breath as she walked toward her brother's home. It had always been that way- home was still Montreal for her, she supposed. After taking a moment to calm herself, she left her things on the tidy bench and locked the door to begin the walk to the schoolhouse. She passed the lane that led to the doctor's house and gave a slight sigh. Meeting Doctor Gilbert Blythe had been a welcome distraction for both of the young Winston's only a year before. Had it really only been a year ago? Andrew had found someone who spoke his language, someone whose world was bigger than the small town that they lived in. And she- well, she had never known such a gentleman.

As Penny walked, she shivered at the sight of the bare, white fields that surrounded them, longing for the warmth and bustle of the city in which she had been born. As she turned her eyes to the fir trees laden with wet snow, she sighed. It had been the one downside to the modest hopes she had dared to entertain- that Gilbert was evidently in Glen St Mary to stay.

Penny had considered it, in the thoughtful and careful manner that was natural to her. A life spent in a small town caring for a family, close to Drew and Lizzie- finding a way to bring happiness to the serious young doctor, to erase the shadows that would cross his face from time to time. As time had gone on, however, Penny's hopes had grown fainter- Oh, he liked her, that much was certain. Perhaps Gilbert had no real interest in marrying.

She had been startled to see him dance with Miss Shirley that night, however, her mother's careful lessons on one's behaviour in society were foremost in her mind. Her reaction was being watched, she knew- and so no sign of emotion would show. The surprise was carefully hidden, and Penny was able to conceal the faint jealousy at the way Gilbert had sat by her, talking to her more than she had ever seen him do with anyone. And yet she could detect no partiality there, nothing beyond the acquaintance that she knew them to be.

By the time Penny reached the schoolhouse, she was only just in time to meet her niece at the school gate and instructed her to walk with a classmate to her father's office. She watched Lizzie go with a worried brow and sighed, wondering what the issue was with the young girl. Covering the insecurity she felt at the summons, she breathed deeply and entered the classroom. The teacher was sitting at her desk, marking papers as she approached quietly.

"Miss Shirley?"

Anne put down her pen with a smile. "Miss Winston, come in. Thank you so much for coming to talk about Lizzie."

Penny moved to the seat by Anne's desk and sat down uncomfortably. "Andrew asked if I would be able to meet with you alone, he has a client coming this afternoon."

Anne's manner was calming, and Penny drew in a sorely needed breath. "Firstly, please don't worry. Lizzie is doing wonderfully in class, and she is a delight to teach."

Penny's shoulders dropped in relief. "So the problem isn't with her learning?"

Anne shook her head, her look kind. "Not at all, Miss Winston. The issue is more social in nature." Anne sighed and spoke quietly. "I have two young boys in school who are Lizzie's age, who are having learning difficulties. They have some behaviours that are disruptive in the classroom, and both of them require more instruction than someone, say, of Lizzie's abilities."

Penny's look was curious. "I can certainly appreciate that, Miss Shirley."

Anne's hands were clasped on her desk, and she spoke carefully. "Lizzie appears to be growing impatient with the boys, and like most children her age, she is quite candid about her dislike for the two of them." Penny was horrified, and Anne shook her head earnestly. "Please, Miss Winston, don't be alarmed. This is quite common for this stage, however I would like to address the matter before it grows worse, and I would like your permission to begin talking about this with Lizzie."

Penny seemed unable to process this. "She is being cruel to them? I can't believe that-"

"Of course she isn't," Anne said quickly. "She is simply frustrated, I think. Lizzie is as smart as they come, and I honestly believe that it is simply a lack of imagination- a six-year-old can't instinctively know to look from another person's perspective."

Penny sat back on her chair, slightly pale. "I would never have thought of Lizzie having a lack of imagination."

Anne chuckled, to her surprise. "No, she has a wonderful one- we just need to teach her to use it in a new way. It's around this age that children begin to learn that others lead different lives than they do."

Penny was struggling to not be indignant at the slight to her niece and drew in a deep breath. "What is it you would like us to do?"

Anne's look was thoughtful. "I wondered if we began to talk about the fact that people are unique- that they learn and grow at different speeds. It might help her to have some more patience with the boys in the classroom, who quite frankly are struggling. It's her imagination and compassion that we need here, I feel."

Wishing that Andrew had simply come in her place, Penny sighed. "So she needs to know that people are different."

Anne smiled. "Children who have siblings seem to learn this quicker than the rest of us do, Miss Winston. Lizzie simply hasn't had the benefit of brothers and sisters."

Penny swallowed, thinking of her own family. Sitting here in Anne's classroom, she felt inadequate to make up for what the child lacked.

"I don't know how to do this," she said softly. "Perhaps if her mother had lived-"

Anne sat forward now, her look serious. "You are already doing a wonderful job with her, Miss Winston. Lizzie is bright and settled and capable, and that is something you have given her."

"A child needs a mother, Miss Shirley. I'm not that."

Anne reached out to grasp her hand in understanding. "No, Miss Winston. A child needs someone to be a mother. She has had you in her life since she was little-"

"Two, I came when she was two-" Penny said faintly.

"She's had you since then," Anne said quietly. "You've taught her and mothered and cared for her- she just has one little block in her mind that is quite common to children this age. There isn't anything you or her father have missed, please understand that."

Penny pulled her hand away to find her handkerchief with an embarrassed look. "Thank you. To be honest, sometimes I'm not sure if I am enough for this job."

To her surprise, Anne gave her a tender smile. "My parents died when I was a baby, Miss Winston. I was adopted by an older brother and sister when I was eleven- and I can assure you that Marilla often felt inadequate when it came to raising me."

Penny looked at Anne in consternation. "Oh. I've often thought that if I were older it would be better for Lizzie-"

Anne chuckled. "Not necessarily. I was a rather arduous child to raise, I imagine. Marilla was set in her ways, and didn't know what to do with me- but she loved me as a mother would. Of course a child needs mothering- but you are testimony to the fact that when a mother isn't present, that someone can step in and give a child the love and care they need."

"Thank you, Miss Shirley." Penny's chin lifted then, and she gave Anne a faint smile. "Alright. Well, we will just have to help Lizzie understand."

Anne smiled back. "Of course. I will be talking with all of the students as well; learning compassion is good for everyone."

Penny's look was curious. "Why is it Lizzie, do you think?"

The teacher looked thoughtful. "I think that the idea of struggling with schoolwork is so foreign to her, that she simply can't understand it. The boys may look as if they aren't trying, or that they are stupid- and she doesn't understand that that isn't the case. Lizzie isn't the only child who is having trouble with this, but she is clearly a leader amongst her peers. I would love to use that for good."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Now you sound like Doctor Blythe. He told Andrew that Lizzie reminds him of someone he once went to school with. I don't know if I feel able to raise such a prodigy."

For the first time Anne's startled eyes flew up, and she covered it with a faint smile. "Oh?"

"He said that she was the smartest girl in his school, I think." Penny suddenly flushed with embarrassment. "Miss Shirley, how silly of me- you probably knew her as well."

Anne gathered her papers together with an odd smile. "Oh, I think I know who she was. I do hope I haven't worried you or your brother, Miss Winston. I am very fond of your niece- and she is a delight to teach."

Penny smiled. "She is- and very like her mother, too." On an impulse, she sat forward. "Miss Shirley, I wondered if you would like to join us for dinner tonight. I don't believe we had much of a chance to get to know you when you first came- and I would like the chance to do that properly."

Anne looked at her in some surprise, however, she nodded. "That would be lovely, Miss Winston."

Penny gave her a curious look then. "Miss Shirley, would you mind calling me Penny? My friends are all so far away- and even after four years here, I still feel like a stranger, at times."

Anne laughed, her throat unexpectedly tight at Penny's words. "If you will call me Anne, then certainly. I understand- my friends are far from here as well. Are you sure that your brother will not object to the unexpected company on a Friday night?"

Penny chuckled as she stood from her seat. "He's been complaining about the tedium of winter since our parents left- he will be thankful for the distraction, I think. Would you like to come at six?"

Anne gave the smile that those of the household of faith saw. "I'd be delighted, Penny."

Andrew Winston arrived home with his young daughter at five in the afternoon, and a chattering Lizzie threw herself at her Aunt's legs.

"And then Papa took me to the store to buy a toy for Mr Flibbet and some caramels for me-"

Penny rolled her eyes. "Drew, she needs to be able to eat her dinner properly."

Andrew grinned. "She will, Pen, she's got her father's stomach. Dinner smells wonderful, by the way. Is there enough for us to have a few guests?"

Penny was bending over the apple pie in the oven and frowned. "Well, I had planned it that way."

"You planned for guests that you didn't know were coming?"

Penny sighed impatiently. "Well, of course, I knew a guest was coming, I asked her myself."

Andrew came to stand beside Penny as she straightened up from the stove. He looked at her suspiciously.

"I don't think we are talking about the same thing, Kitten. Whom did you invite?"

Penny dropped the tea towel on the bench with a smile. "Miss Shirley, Drew. We had that meeting this afternoon, and I wanted to get to know her better. She's lovely." She moved to the cupboard to get some plates when she suddenly realised what Andrew had said. She looked at her brother in horror then. "Drew? If you weren't talking about Miss Shirley, just whom did you invite?"

Andrew ruffled his hair awkwardly. "Well, I have a client coming soon- he's been away from the Glen for awhile, and I thought some company might be nice for all of us. And I poked my head in next door and asked Gilbert to come after his rounds- he should be here soon."

Penny, to his relief, began to laugh. "Drew, you need to be grateful that I never really learned to cook for just three people."

He chuckled. "So there should be enough for everyone?"

She looked at the oven critically. "Oh, I think so. I'll see what else I can pull together- and thankfully we have plenty of food in the house."

Andrew gave his sister a hug and ruffled her hair. "I swear I'll check with you next time."

"You always say that, and you never do," she retorted, as she carried the cutlery to the dining room.

When a windswept Anne knocked at the door of the Winston house that evening, she was struck dumb when Gilbert himself opened the door. Echos of their past interaction in this entryway would intrude, and it was Gilbert who moved first to put her at ease. There was a twinkle in his hazel eyes as he watched Anne flounder, and he gestured for her to enter.

"I did know you would be here this time," he commented with a slight grin. Anne flushed, and Gilbert took her coat from her. "Penny is busy in the kitchen, she asked if I would wait for you down here. Come on, come into the sitting room and get warm."

Andrew had been tending the big, old fireplace in the room, and came to meet Anne with a smile. "Miss Shirley, thank you for meeting with my sister today. We appreciate the time you've taken with Lizzie."

Anne smiled back. "You're quite welcome, Mr Winston. Your daughter is a fine student."

Penny had filled Andrew in, and he sat down next to the teacher with some concern. "I'm very sorry that Lizzie has made things harder for the two boys," he said quietly, gesturing for Gilbert to make himself comfortable.

Anne shook her head, her face gentle. "Lizzie is a very intelligent child, Mr Winston, I believe she will understand easily."

Gilbert was curious and raised one eyebrow at his friend. Andrew filled him in then, referring to Anne for further clarification. Gilbert's look was thoughtful, and he inquired about the boys in question.

Anne removed her gloves with a compassionate look. "I think one of the boys has a hearing problem, Gil. He does better if he is closer to me, but across the classroom, he will barely attempt his work and can be quite sullen. As for the other, do you remember the youngest of the Cotton children?"

Gilbert stared at her. "Was that Elsie?" he asked.

"Yes. I noticed that she struggled with following more than one instruction when I first began teaching. I found that I needed to rethink the way that I set lessons for her." Anne turned back to Gilbert with a thoughtful look. "I remember that you suggested that she might do better if I simplified the tasks for her, and took the time to walk her through each stage."

He nodded with a frown.

"Tommy is similar. They just need more time from me, and Lizzie, bless her heart, grows impatient with them quickly- she simply doesn't understand."

Andrew tried to pay attention to the conversation, but as Lizzie herself came running into the room to hug her beloved teacher, his mind was otherwise occupied. Far from the way he had watched the new teacher interact with his friend in his home before, he was now studying the pair of them in genuine shock. The familiarity they had with each other was startling. Gilbert's words rang in his ears: she was my best friend . Andrew had wondered what that meant- and now he could imagine it. Over the course of the next few minutes, he was silent, listening with one ear to the two of them discussing teaching methodology. Andrew could not keep from his face an expression of disbelief. Whatever Gilbert had said to him months ago, it was very clear to him that the full scope of the school teacher's relationship with the doctor was far more complicated than Gilbert had allowed it to be.

It was only minutes later when the doorbell rang again, and Penny's quick steps could be heard welcoming Andrew's other guest inside. She ushered the gentleman into the cosy room, and he confidently crossed the room to shake Andrew's hand with a smile. Two people's breaths caught at the sight of him, although neither of them was looking at the other.

"I'm not sure if anyone apart from Gilbert has met my latest client- I'm doing some contract work for him with his latest book."

The gentleman turned to both Penny and Anne with a smile that combined both honest feeling and charm on his handsome face. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Winston," he said, and then turned to Anne, who had an unexpected flush on her pale cheeks. Recognition flashed in his dark grey eyes then.

"It's you!" he said, stepping towards Anne, who had risen from her seat. He took her hand in his, the smile blossoming on his face. "I wondered which enchanted shore you had sprung from."

Anne attempted to pull her hand from his in some confusion, seeing the bewildered look on both Penny and Andrew's faces.

Andrew recovered first. "So you have met our school teacher, Miss Shirley then?"

The man turned to his host with a beaming look. "I met Miss Shirley on the train from Charlottetown a few weeks ago." He turned to Anne again, a smile lurking behind his eyes. "Miss Shirley would not give me her name, however hard I pleaded, nor tell me what her destination was. And here I find you in the land that bore my ancestors! This is fate."

Gilbert stood as if turned to stone, his startled eyes flicking from one to the other.

Andrew then turned to his sister with an amused look. "Then you are the only one who doesn't know my client, Kitten." His hand clapped on the gentleman's shoulder, and he smiled. "Penny, may I present to you, Mr Owen Ford."

Owen turned to his hostess with a devastating smile. "At your service, Miss Winston."

Gilbert Blythe stood behind the others, his face frozen as he watched Owen's eyes turn back to Anne with evident interest. When Owen at last looked in the direction of Gilbert, he gave him a brief nod.

"Doctor Blythe and I are acquainted." His look was amused. "You'll have to forgive me, Blythe, I confess that I didn't see you. Unsurprising when I am surrounded by such beauty here; no offence intended towards you or Andrew."

Gilbert stepped forward with a handshake that was perhaps a little firmer than was necessary. "Ford," he acknowledged coolly. "I didn't expect to see you back here, to be honest. What would make you return?"

Owen gave an easy smile. "My mother was born here, which makes this place close to being home. I was recently lucky enough to buy the house that my grandfather built- and I can conduct my business from anywhere. No, I intend to stay put for awhile." He turned back to Anne with a warm look. "Perhaps for quite awhile."