Chapter 16

February was a month of storms and snow, and Anne was grateful to wake up on a Saturday morning, secure in the knowledge that that day she would not need to brave the elements. Susan had been fussing and clucking over Anne's busyness, and had insisted on allowing her to sleep as late as she wished, serving her breakfast in bed. In vain Anne protested that she would much rather sit in the kitchen with Susan- a problem that was solved by Susan taking her tea in Anne's room. Anne surrendered to the housekeeper's wishes, seeing in her stern brown eyes the intent to call the doctor if she felt it necessary.

Not wanting another impromptu visit from Gilbert prompted by Susan's panic, Anne sat up in bed on this morning like a queen surrounded by her pillows, while Susan perused the paper, reading out the local news. Susan clucked over the Glen notes- Mrs Marshall Elliot was having her husband's two nephews come to stay for a month, and Carter Flagg's store would now be importing a special brand of fabric from Charlottetown. The price of butter had gone up, and Valentines Day had been celebrated by a mysterious ode from L to M, which a scandalised Susan read out to Anne, who only laughed.

"Anne dearie, I don't know what the editor is thinking to be printing this sort of rubbish-"

Anne smiled. "Oh, Susan, judging by the lines, I am guessing that the poet is fourteen or fifteen, and his lady is most likely just as young. It's rather sweet, in fact."

Susan had scoffed at such nonsense, however as Anne rose to go about her morning, she could not keep a smile from her face- thinking of strawberry apples, pink candy hearts and tissue paper roses. She gave a little sigh and settled down in the cosy sitting room to read for the morning with a smile. It was good to know that romance was very much alive in the world.

It was nearing eleven in the morning when Anne looked up from her book at a knock on the door. At the voices in the entry, Anne rose to investigate, and Susan soon ushered in a slightly damp Lizzie, Andrew and Penny Winston. Lizzie was beside herself with excitement to see her beautiful teacher's home, and Penny rather apologetically explained that Andrew suggested that they all come, while he saw Anne about some contracts. Anne brushed aside Penny's concerns with a big smile, inviting them all to come into the warm lounge room. After a brief consultation with Susan, Anne extended an invitation to the family to stay for lunch, adding that she and Susan were positively giddy at the idea of good company. While Susan did not exactly convey the notion of giddiness, her satisfied look more than convinced Penny and Andrew that it was a wonderful idea. Lizzie sat in the big armchair next to Anne chattering non-stop, and at Penny's attempt to quieten her, Anne smiled at the younger woman, her eyes twinkling.

"I was just the same, I'm afraid- I almost drove Marilla distracted in the first few months of having me."

Penny chuckled. "So the proverb that children should be seen and not heard?"

"It never worked with me, no," Anne said with a shrug. "I did learn to control it better when I was older."

Lizzie piped up brightly then. "You do talk an awful lot in school, Miss Shirley."

Anne only laughed at her father's stern look. "I do, Lizzie. Otherwise, how would I teach you?"

While Penny and Lizzie amused themselves with Anne's welcoming bookshelves, Andrew sat down at the desk with Anne to discuss the possibility of selling Green Gables, the deeds to the house in front of him.

"Well, the timing is up to you of course- I can begin preparing paperwork now," he said thoughtfully. "Anne, forgive me if this is a difficult subject- but I understand this is your family home. Are you quite sure you wish to sell? Have you considered renting it?"

Anne nodded. "I have- and I do love my home dearly- but to be honest, I don't believe I will be able to live there again." She smiled at Andrew. "The house and farm are far too much for me to care for on my own- and especially with regards to the old stairs. The time may come when I need to sell it- I would rather do it now when I have some time to prepare."

Andrew nodded. "I understand." Seeing that his family were well occupied for the present, Andrew studied Anne. He hadn't gotten far with Gilbert- perhaps she might be a little easier…

"So you and Gilbert were in school together," he said easily. "What was he like back then?"

Anne smiled. "Very mischievous."

Andrew chuckled in surprise. "Really?"

"Oh, yes- he was notorious for it. And I had to work around the clock to keep up with him in school- we were always competitive."

"And so which of you is smarter?" Andrew teased.

"I like to think that we are evenly matched," Anne said brightly. "Although we work in very different fields now- perhaps we aren't able to compare."

Andrew decided to dig a little deeper. "He taught when you did, correct?"

Anne smiled. "Yes. When we became friends-"

"You weren't always?" he interrupted in surprise.

Anne hesitated. "No, not exactly. But after we left Queens we made it up- and we taught schools in adjacent towns for two years. We both earned our way through Redmond that way, and studied together as well."

Andrew looked at her curiously.

She was my best friend…. Best two years of my life, actually.

Gilbert's disjointed comments were starting to make more sense to him- and yet Anne Shirley herself remained an enigma. What on earth had happened between them?

"The two of you have quite the history, it seems."

He gave an unseen grin at the way her grey eyes flew open, and the way her hands moved nervously to smooth her black skirts. He'd had enough practice in talking with people who didn't wish to be forthcoming to know that she was ready to bolt, and he gave her a disarming smile. "All of these histories are so fascinating, aren't they? And to think that we would all meet up here in the Glen."

To his surprise, Anne gave a wry smile. "Yes. Timing can be a surprising thing, Mr Winston. It can also be quite diabolical."

Seeing her need to change the subject, his thoughts returned to business. "I'm glad you came to me now, it can take some time to get these in order. This way I can have them waiting for you when you need them."

While they were occupied doing so, the doorbell rang again.

Anne smiled at Lizzie's small whisper- "Miss Shirley's house is much busier than ours."

To her surprise, a bewildered Susan stepped in through the door, and behind her was Gilbert himself, his hat and coat over one arm.

Before the group had a chance to greet him, a squirming Lizzie whispered to her aunt, and Penny appealed to the housekeeper apologetically. "Miss Baker, I wondered if you would be so kind as to show us to the little girl's room?"

Susan was quick to take Lizzie's hand, and the three of them left the room, leaving behind at least two surprised people.

"Gil!" Andrew said, puzzled. "Did you know that we would be here?"

He gave an easy shrug. "Not till I got here, but it works brilliantly, I can tell you all at once." He turned to an oddly speechless Anne and gave her a grin. "I'm sorry for the abrupt arrival, but I just got a letter from Montreal- Jeremy is coming here in March."

Anne floundered for a moment, trying to understand. "Your friend from the hospital?"

Andrew was curious to see the way his friend was almost bouncing. When had he ever been so excited?

"Yes. Doctor Jeremy Barnes, Orthopaedic surgeon, resident of Montreal and my partner in crime through Redmond. That Jeremy."

Anne found her voice then. "Well, that's wonderful for you, Gil."

Gilbert stopped suddenly, seeing the odd look on her face. "Anne, I'm sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. He's coming here as my friend, of course, but I'd like to consult him about you."

At this, Gilbert saw the flash in her eyes before the only other person in the room had time to register it. Andrew was forgotten, and could only stare as the two of them began to argue.

"And just when were you planning on consulting me?" she asked.

"I'm talking to you now-"

"Gilbert John Blythe!" she said furiously. "Why on earth would you organise this without talking to me first? This is completely unprofessional-"

"Anne, just listen to me!" he interrupted impatiently. "I know I did that badly just then, but I only got the letter ten minutes ago! He hasn't been able to come for the entire time I've been here, and I was so excited that I practically ran here to tell you."

Anne gritted her teeth, her eyes glittering. "Continue."

"I wanted to let you all know as soon as I could- Andrew hasn't met him, you haven't met him- and he would have given us a run for our money at school. He tormented more people at school that I did- you'll like him."

She glared at him. "I'm sure I will- if I am not having unwarranted medical appointments scheduled for me without my permission! And telling me about it in front of others, no less!"

Gilbert's startled glance swung to Andrew, who settled back into his chair with a wicked grin. "Oh, don't mind me, Gil, this is wonderfully entertaining. Carry on."

Gilbert shot him a scowl and turned back to Anne. "Look, it was unprofessional of me to just barge ahead. I'm honestly sorry about that. And of course you have the final say- I would never think of doing it without your permission. I was just over the moon that he could even come. He's been trying to get away for months. But I want you to meet him anyway- and I want him to meet Andrew, which is why I blurted the whole thing out as soon as I got here."

"And you couldn't have slowed yourself down to talk to me first?"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Well, then you would have had to wait for my news longer."

Unable to help herself, Anne gave him an amused look and sat back down on the sofa. "You know, sometimes I think you haven't changed at all, Gilbert. Now, please explain why it is that you want him to see me? I'm fine."

Gilbert sat down as well. "You are. But you have to understand that Jeremy is fast becoming one of the top orthopaedic surgeons in Canada- he's on his way to Kingsport to attend a conference in a few weeks time. That's why he's coming. He's coming across for a few days to see the island- we went all the way through medical school together, and then were in Montreal for two years. I haven't seen him since then- and he's still mad that I left. And to have him actually coming here, staying in the same town you are, when we could see if there's anything that could be done to make you better- it's an opportunity that I don't want you to miss."

"Gil, I have seen every doctor in Charlottetown- are you saying that someone off the island will be different?"

"In this case, Anne, yes," he said bluntly. "Montreal is a teaching hospital, they have access to the newest advances, and many of the universities feed directly into it. I doubt that you would find anyone who knows more than he does."

Anne sighed and crossed her arms. "Gilbert, forgive me for being sceptical, but I've done this before. I don't think anyone could do better for me than you already are."

This made him grin wryly. "It's nice that you think so- but bones are not my area of expertise. If you want me to remove a brain tumour or operate on your thyroid, let me know."

She smiled and studied his hazel eyes, seeing how badly he wanted her to agree. "Alright then, how does this work?"

Gilbert's shoulders fell in relief. "It would be best to set up an appointment at my office. Jeremy already knows I have a case that I want him to look at- however, he doesn't know that it's you. Believe it or not, I did actually plan on talking to you first."

Anne looked at him, intrigued. "I don't see the problem, Gil; he couldn't know who I was, could he?"

If he hesitated briefly, Anne didn't notice. "No. But I thought I'd better grab some shreds of professional dignity to cover myself with."

This made Anne chuckle. "If we ignore today, then I have always found you professional, Gil. Now, I'm sure Andrew is tired of being entertained in this way-"

Andrew quirked an eyebrow. "I don't mind. I must say, Anne, I'm rather impressed at you putting him in his place."

Gilbert grinned. "It's about time you met Anne properly, Andrew. I'm just lucky she doesn't have a slate handy."

She narrowed her eyes at him then. "I still run a classroom, Gilbert. I can find one. However, for now, it is almost lunchtime- and Susan has already laid a place for you if you have no other plans."

He accepted easily, and Anne left the room to assist in the kitchen. Andrew stood up from his chair, listening to the voices in the dining room and watching Gilbert thoughtfully. He crossed to look at the picture from the mantelpiece Gilbert had carefully lifted down- a much younger Anne standing with an older couple.

"Her parents?"

"Adoptive parents," Gilbert said absently. "They were brother and sister. It was taken just before we went to Queens."

Andrew gave a smile that Gilbert didn't see. "How old was she then?"

"Fifteen and a half."

Andrew was surprised at the exact answer and studied him. "You knew the family well then?"

He watched the young doctor shrug. "Not then, I didn't. A year afterwards, yes."

At this, Andrew shook his head, bewildered. "If you don't mind me saying so, Gil, I've not seen anything like the way the two of you talk to each other."

Gilbert spoke up sheepishly. "Look, today I jumped in too early, that was all. She was right. Nevertheless, she agreed to see Jeremy, despite my bungling it." To his shock, Gilbert chuckled. "It's funny. She would never have done that years ago."

"She wouldn't?"

"No, that would have resulted in a week long silent treatment." He shrugged and grinned. "We have a long history of discussing things- err- vehemently. I can assure you that barely registered as an argument."

A sudden shaft of insight hit Andrew at that moment, and he studied Gilbert as if he hadn't seen him before.

She was my best friend.

Eventually, Andrew found his voice. "Still, you've both grown up. You're not children anymore."

Gilbert snorted. "And thank God for that."

At this moment Anne came into the room to announce that lunch was being served. Andrew couldn't help but see the natural chemistry between the two of them and found himself shaking his head slightly in wonder.

"Mr Winston?" Anne repeated, with a mischievous smile. "Your family is waiting for you to join them."

He shook himself with a laugh. "I apologise, Anne. We're coming right now."

Susan was in her element at Anne's right-hand side, serving their guests with efficiency. Anne saw Gilbert talking with her cheerfully about her mother's health issues, and Andrew was moving between instructing his bouncing daughter to sit still and eat her meal, and talking with Anne. Penny alone was quiet, and Anne uneasily wondered if the younger woman was alright.

As she pushed the savoury stew around her plate, she swallowed. Mentally she was berating herself. What kind of person hoped that something had happened? She was being foolish- she had accepted that there was something between Gilbert and Penny from the beginning, and could see why he would care for her- she was loving and sweet. Penny had extended the hand of friendship to her as well- seemingly without any knowledge of who she had once been to Gilbert- and yet why should that matter? An old friend was merely that.

There had been a struggle within her about finding herself in the same community with them as time went on- and yet she had resolved to wait and see. It was possible that one day she would find herself not feeling anything- merely happy for her deservedly happy old chum. Her fingers shook then, and her knife clattered to the plate noisily. Anne gave a swift smile of apology to those who had jumped around the table, and drew in a deep breath, a wry chuckle underneath her calm exterior.

Clearly, that day was not today.

Andrew seemed to sense that Anne was distracted, and drew her into a conversation. "Gilbert was telling me a little about your adoptive parents, Anne. I'm sorry to hear that they are no longer with you."

Gilbert froze with concern at his friend's words until he saw Anne's smile. As he looked around the dining table, he noticed that all were now paying attention to the quiet conversation, including Susan- and Gilbert realised that Anne must not have shared much about Marilla's death with her either.

Andrew continued. "How long has it been?"

"Ten months," Anne said softly. "It doesn't seem possible that it's been so long."

He smiled understandingly. "I know what you mean. What was she like?"

At this, somehow Anne's grey eyes found Gilbert's. "She was- strong. Always strong. She didn't like to get emotional- didn't like to make a fuss of anything- but she cared very deeply about things."

To her surprise, Gilbert smiled retrospectively. "She hated anything in the house being out of place. And she was very protective of you, I remember. "

"She was about anyone she cared for- she was completely devoted to her home and family." Anne placed her napkin beside her plate, and her smile was wistful. "And she never encouraged me to settle- she wanted me to have all the opportunities that she never had, even when they took me far from home."

"You must miss her terribly," Penny said, her voice low.

Anne smiled, her eyes tearing up. "I do. Every day."

Lizzie had been silent for a little while, and Anne jumped slightly, seeing that Lizzy had left her seat to stand beside her.

"Who do you miss?"

Anne looked over her head to Andrew, who nodded at her gently.

"My- the woman who adopted me. She- she died last year." Anne smiled at her. "I miss her very much."

The little girl pressed herself into Anne's side, and the teacher wrapped her arm around her snugly. "I don't have a mother either," Lizzie said to her softly, not aware that the entire table was listening. "But I have Aunt Penny and Papa. Do you have people too?"

Penny and Andrew were by now wiping away unexpected tears, and over Lizzie's head, Anne met Gilbert's eyes again. Their gaze held this time, and just slightly, he nodded. Flushing, Anne's eyes went back to the child before her.

"I do, darling. I have Susan, who is my family now- and I have wonderful friends both near and far. I think that I am one very lucky girl, Lizzie- as are you."

Gilbert stood with the others at the end of the plentiful and delicious meal, and the group was ushered into the sitting room for dessert. Gilbert moved slowly, seeing Anne help Susan to clear the table of plates, and as he stood in the doorway he saw Anne give her beloved housekeeper a long hug. He smiled, watching Susan hastily wipe her nose, and shoo Anne towards the doorway where he stood. When she arrived, he met her look earnestly.

"Are you alright?"

Anne smiled. "You know, I really am. I have so much to be grateful for."

To her surprise, the smile Gilbert gave her was that of the boy she had known long ago- that of one kindred spirit meeting another. "We all do."

It was late in the afternoon when Anne stood at the doorway farewelling her guests. Andrew teased her about spending her whole day entertaining, and Anne laughed, saying that Susan would probably send her to bed after supper to make up for it. Andrew and Penny took a yawning Lizzie home- who was not yet so tired that she said she couldn't wait to tell Mirabelle Stuart where she had been all day.

Gilbert was the last to leave, and Anne couldn't quite cover her yawn.

"I'll take that as a hint, I think," he said, amused. "Maybe Susan's right. You do need sleep."

Anne rolled her eyes at him. "And who reminds you to go to bed, doctor? I can see the shadows under your own eyes."

Gilbert shrugged. "I just sleep when I need to. I was up with twins last night. Mr and Mrs Walton's first."

She smiled, shifting her walking stick to the other hand, as she often did when she had been standing for too long. Gilbert paused long enough to study her face. "Have you forgiven me yet for the debacle with Jeremy?"

This made her chuckle. "You're still expecting a five-year sentence, aren't you?"

He shrugged with a grin. "Maybe."

Anne's look was wry. "As long as this won't be an everyday occurrence, Gil- I really am quite well now. And I have been enjoying not being treated like an invalid. I'm not one."

"I know that- but if you were going to have someone look at it twelve months on, then Jeremy is the one to do that," Gilbert said practically. "And I'm glad he's coming. He's a lot of fun."

Anne smiled. "Then I look forward to meeting him."

It was late that night at the Winston house when Penny came into her brother's study, dim and lit only with the light from his desk lamp. She sat down on his sofa with a sigh. Andrew looked up from his paperwork, curious.

"Is everything alright?"

Penny shrugged. "Lizzie woke with a nightmare. She's asleep now."

Andrew looked at her curiously- Penny rarely came into his office to talk. After a minute, she spoke.

"How long has he been in love with her?"

Andrew's pen fell from suddenly limp fingers. "What do you mean?"

Penny gave a faint smile. "Drew, I know that you know what I'm talking about."

He stood up from his desk slowly and came to sit down beside her. "How did you know?"

At this Penny gave him an indulgent look. "Because I have eyes, darling brother."

Andrew shot her a worried look. "Does that bother you?"

At this, she sighed, her voice low. "I won't pretend that I wasn't sorry, to begin with. I do like him. And I think that he liked me. But not the way he obviously cares for her."

Andrew let out a long breath, not knowing what to say. "I would guess ever since they were children."

Penny sat up, shocked. "So long?"

"Yes."

The siblings sat there quietly for some time.

"I'm guessing it's a long story."

"Longer than I know, I suspect."

Penny sighed. "Well, I'm glad I know now." She smiled then. "They do suit each other rather well, don't you think?"

Andrew chuckled. "I've been watching them- they're something else together." He tipped his head back to look at his baby sister. "Are you alright?"

"Strangely, yes. Drew, did you know that I left someone to come here?" Penny asked quietly.

Andrew shot up in horror. "Pen, you didn't- you shouldn't have- why wouldn't you tell me? Dad said it ended-"

Penny waved him off. "No, it did end, big brother. It needed to. Simon wanted to marry me as soon as he took over the family business- and I asked him to wait. I was only nineteen- and I didn't feel ready." She laid her head back on the sofa and sighed. "I asked him to wait a year so that I could come out here and help you- and he told me that if I left, that he knew I didn't really care and was done with me."

Andrew pulled her into a hug, his face sorrowful. "I'm so sorry- I would never have asked you to come if I'd known."

Penny smiled dryly. "And then I would have married someone who had no consideration for my family, or my own needs. It was a blessing in a rather good disguise, in fact. I'm glad I came- and I think I've grown a lot here." She gave him a candid look then. "A few weeks ago you asked me if I wanted to go home. Well- I do. I think it's time."

Andrew let out a deep breath. "Oh, Pen. You gave Lizzie and me four years- and I'm grateful. We wouldn't have made it through without you."

Penny smiled. "I'll start looking for a housekeeper for you, Drew- someone who will be good for Lizzie. I'm not leaving until you have one. I think that I'll plan on leaving in the spring." She stood up then, rubbing tired eyes.

"Pen? Are you alright? About Gilbert? He doesn't have to come around here if it makes you uncomfortable."

Penny's look was frank. "Andrew, it's fine. I'd miss him if he didn't come- and he's just what he's always been. A gentleman, and a good friend. I don't believe anything was ever going to happen between us- we want very different things. He belongs here, and I want to go home." She turned then, her look shrewd. "Do you think that after all this time they know?"

Andrew gave her an odd look. "Who?"

"Gilbert and Anne, you goose. Do they know that the other one cares?"

Andrew hedged for a minute. "What about Owen? Susan said he's been visiting occasionally."

Penny was instantly dismissive. "Mr Ford? I don't think so, Drew. Perhaps we should ask the two of them over more-"

Her brother stood up then, his face stern. "Penelope Margaret, we are not interfering. If it happens, it happens without our meddling."

Penny tossed her brown head, as she went to the door. "Everyone needs a little help, Andrew Charles. And if I remember correctly, you needed someone to help you when you brought Maddie home to Mother and Father."

Andrew grinned. "Maybe a little. Just- go easy. Things between them after all this time are a little- complicated. Don't go leaping into the middle of it."

Penny gave him a quick hug, after muttering something that sounded vaguely like "Men."

Andrew laughed then. "Just go to bed, Pen. You can scheme in the morning."