I must thank my Anne-girls for all their help. I only have to mention a conundrum and without prompting they deliver me all these hilarious scenarios.

"Oh, my Lord," Marilla sighed once they had turned off the light and it was just her and Anne in the dark.

"You did just fine."

"Did I? It didn't seem so at the time."

Marilla's little talk had been vaguely informative. Not quite what Anne would have said, but probably suitable for the purpose. After all, it wasn't as though Marilla really knew what she was talking about herself, at least not from personal experience. Instead, she had consulted her Bible and come up with some explanation that was possibly more than the children thought they knew.

Sitting back in her chair, believing the worst was over, Marilla naïvely asked if they had any questions. Now, with the benefit of hindsight she understood just how ill-advised such a tactic had been for while Dora shook her head, Davy had ideas.

"Is it like when dogs get stuck together, Marilla?" He'd started. "Milty told me that one day their dog mounted the bitch. He'd asked his Pa what they were doing, and his Pa said one of them was sick and the other one was pushing it to make it better. Is it like that, Marilla? I want to know. An' Marilla, Milty says his brother says babies can happen even if you're not married, but you have to be careful. What does he mean? Careful about what, Marilla? But Jacky Pye's cousin told him babies are found in the pumpkin patch, that doesn't make sense though cos babies are so much smaller than pumpkins ain't they."

Marilla was so flustered she didn't even try to correct his grammar, while Anne was snickering too hard to bother.

Davy added, "some people have too many babies, but my wife won't. I'll tell her not to and she will have to listen as I will be the man of the house. Some families are too big because the wife doesn't listen to the husband and just goes on having babies when he's said no more and then he must feed them. It's not right. My wife will do as I say! Say Anne did Roy tell you to have a baby before he died? He must have done and that's why you're having one." Marilla, exhausted from dodging his questions, didn't bother to correct Davy, glad that he had at least come up with an answer that satisfied him.

Dora did have one question, quietly she said, "is it nice or does it hurt?"

Anne replied gently that it was a wife's duty, using a tone that told Rachel far too much about the Kingsport marriage chamber.

Still feeling unsettled, Anne weighed her options one evening. Work was good and she was enjoying being back in the classroom, but she knew the arrangement couldn't last. Glancing ruefully at her stomach she knew the news would get out eventually, then she would have no choice. And then what, she asked the baby. Where to next? I love Marilla with all my heart, but I can't stay here forever.

There's Stella, over in Vancouver. I wonder what it's like there. I could take the train, maybe invite someone to accompany me since I'm betting Marilla wouldn't let me travel on my own. Takes a long time, but I'd be safe. Probably take a few weeks. I might write Stella and see if that's a possibility.

Moving closer to Marilla she voiced her considerations. Marilla was horrified but tried to play her fears down. "Well, that's an interesting thought, Anne," she said in a deceptively measured tone.

Despite her calm reaction Marilla was panicky. The next day voicing her concerns to Rachel she said, "What if she leaves? What if she goes to see Stella and never comes back. I said goodbye to her once, I don't know if I can do it again. I know it's still Canada, and for that I give thanks, but it's so very far away, Rachel. I'd never see her again. I can't," she took in a tremulous breath. "I can't stop her, but I don't know if I could bear it."

"Now, now," replied Rachel patting her on the wrist. "That baby will tie her down. All these plans she has, they're understandable but the baby won't be gainsaid. She'll have to stay at home or near to."

"Do you reckon?" Marilla asked, hope rising.

"I do. I've had ten children as you know and the last thing anyone wants to do is go travelling cross country when you're with child. She'll stay close by, mark my words."

Marilla let out a big sigh of relief, "thank you." She took another breath and swallowed hard. "Don't know what I'd do without you here to bring me to my senses."

Rachel smiled. "She's full of wild plans your Anne, but that baby will bring her back to earth."

"With not too much of a thump, I hope."

"We'll be there to catch her if she does."

Marilla smiled, "we will."

Green Gables

Dear Mrs Irving,

I have so much to tell you. Last time I wrote I was in Kingsport living with my husband. Unfortunately, Roy was taken from this world a few months ago. As a result, I have moved back to Avonlea to stay with Marilla at Green Gables. However, my one-time refuge is really too small for me now.

It occurred to me that your lovely little Echo Lodge, that I love so well, is currently empty. I wonder, would you consider selling it to me? Roy left me the bulk of his estate, so money is not a concern. I hope we can come to an equitable arrangement.

I have acquired a job for the rest of the school year, teaching at the Avonlea School. Echo Lodge is a bit of a drive but it's not an insurmountable distance. If I acquired a buggy, it could be a delightful journey.

Would you consider my plan, I promise to look after The Lodge very carefully.

Yours very sincerely

Anne Gardner, nee Shirley

Toronto

Dear Anne,

My darling girl, I am so terribly sorry to hear of your hardship. I do certainly recall your excitement at getting married and to know that it came to such an abrupt ending in such tragic circumstances is hard to hear.

I am sorry to hear that Green Gables is no longer suitable. No wonder it is too small, what with growing twins, Rachel Lynde of course and dear Marilla; the old place must be bursting at the seams.

Your idea has merit, I have discussed the matter with Stephen. While we do come over to the Island for the odd vacation, we can always stay at the White Sands Hotel and then visit you. It will be nice to know the old place is being cared for by a good friend such as yourself, rather than lying empty ten months of the year.

Yours very truly

Lavender Irving

Dearest Nancy

Thank you for sending on my trunks. It is strange how out of place my city clothes are in my hometown.

Now I have a proposition for you. Currently I am living with my family, but the house is too small for the five of us. There is another house nearby that I am considering purchasing. Would you be remotely interested in moving over to East Grafton to care for me? I have a job for the next couple of months teaching school, so I won't have time to keep house or cook; two skills I know you have in abundance.

Yours sincerely,

Anne Gardner

Kingsport

Dear Mrs Gardner

Yes please.

Nancy

"Marilla," Anne said sitting down at the kitchen table. "Come sit by me. We need to talk."

Drying her hands on a tea towel Marilla sat opposite. "As you know, I've been rather unsettled of late." Marilla raised her eyebrows. Slightly perturbed at her reaction, trust Marilla to notice, Anne continued. "Yes, well, I've been thinking how I can manage this next part of my life. It's crowded here with the five of us and a baby will take up even more room. Now, while I shan't be heading out west." Marilla heaved a sigh of relief and smiled ruefully. "I can't stay here for much longer."

"I don't want you feeling that way, we can make do."

"I don't want to make do, particularly as it's not necessary. I do have means these days."

"You're not moving back to the Gardner house, are you?" Marilla looked stricken at the thought.

Anne smiled, "not quite. In fact, I am selling that house to Phil and Jonas, they're going to use it to help the poor."

"Anne! Are you sure that's wise? I don't want you doing anything foolhardy, perhaps you should…"

"What you must understand is that I only have unhappy memories of that house. It was never mine. It was always Mrs Gardner's, I always felt as though I were a houseguest, and a not very welcome one at that. I have been corresponding with Lavender Irving and I have organised to buy Echo Lodge."

"Goodness gracious me! Echo Lodge. It's quite far away, Anne."

"Not too far. It's a sweet little place, easy enough to keep."

"You won't have time what with," Marilla glanced at Anne's belly, "and, ah, work."

"I've thought of that, I've invited my old maid from Kingsport, Nancy, to join me. She was delighted at the notion."

"I'll miss you," Marilla suddenly said, her voice cracking a little.

"As shall I, but I'll just be up the road aways, not too far. I need this, Marilla. All my friends have left home. I need to be independent. Don't think I'm not aware of how lucky I am. You and Rachel cared for me so tenderly when I stormed back into your life. No hesitation on either of your parts, despite the situation."

"Never, you're always welcome here."

"I know it and don't think I don't appreciate it."

"We love you so much." In reply Anne opened her arms for Marilla to lean into.

With the sale finalised and all the preparations made, they made their way over to Echo Lodge to meet Nancy. Anne embraced her before they opened the door smelling the distinctive musty smell.

Davy had come along to help with the heavy lifting while Marilla, Rachel and Dora were there to assist Anne and Nancy to air out the cottage. Anne was under strict instructions not to lift anything heavy which left Davy and Nancy to shove the furniture around. Later, Davy chopped some extra wood as the supply was low.

Wiping a stray cobweb from her hair, Marilla looked around the room at the end of the day and said, "well that's a good start at least. I hope you'll both be happy here."

Nancy delighted with how her life was turning out smiled and replied, "yes, Miss Cuthbert."

"You'll probably be terribly bored," Anne commented regretfully. "Maybe I shouldn't have asked you out here."

"Oh no, Miss. I love the country. I just ain't never spent much time in it."

Though they had worked hard together that day, Davy had been unusually quiet. The others had been too busy to notice, but now as they sat down with a well earnt drink at the end of their labours, it became noticeable how quiet Davy had gotten.

"Everything all right, Davy boy?" Anne asked when they were alone for a moment.

Glancing over his shoulder, Davy shrugged, "s'fine."

"Are you sure?" Davy rolled his eyes and nodded. Something was not fine, was certainly far from fine, but if he didn't want to say, it was hardly Anne's place to coerce him, she left the offer open, "I'm here for you if you ever want to say."

Once the family had left it was just Anne and Nancy sitting by the fire. "Mrs Gardner," Nancy started.

"Please, do me a favour, don't call me that."

"Oh? What shall I call you then?"

"Mrs Gardner was Roy's mother; it sounds so harsh. I don't suppose you could just call me Anne?"

Nancy shook her head vehemently, "no, that t'wouldn't be right."

"No, and I'm no longer Miss Shirley. How would Ma'am do, would that suit you?"

Unaccustomed to being asked her opinion on such matter, Nancy nodded then looked at Anne pensively.

"What is it?"

"Well since we're talkin' bout names, Ma'am. Do you mind not calling me Nancy."

"Goodness. Why ever not?"

"Sounds a bit silly I s'pose but Nancy ain't my first name. Mrs Gardner never done like it, see. Nancy is my middle name. I prefer my first name. But she took it from me which is why you ain't heard it before."

"You don't have to tell me how important the right name is, I know better than anyone. So, what is your first name?"

"Charlotte."

Anne laughed out loud and poor Charlotte looked a little put out. "Oh, sorry, don't mind me. I must tell you Charlotte and Echo Lodge are a match made in heaven. If ever I needed a sign to tell me I'd made the right decision in bringing you here, this is it." Anne proceeded to tell Charlotte about the Lodge's previous five inhabitants, especially Charlottas one through four.

"Oh, that is funny, ma'am. Didn't they mind all being called that?"

"I think Miss Lavendar was so delightful to work for, no one minded. At least," Anne thought on it for a moment, "I hope not."