Anne hoped time would pass quickly but she was sorely disappointed. She had never realised how the hope of catching up with Gilbert spiced up her days. It was just her and the baby now, motherhood was a mere drudge. Marilla tried her best to jolly Anne along, reminding her that Gilbert was doing his best to give them a good life. In her heart Anne understood this to be true but the knowledge that the wage he would eventually earn would still be a pittance in comparison with the Gardiner fortune she currently held, made it hard to endure. When she voiced her thoughts to Marilla, her mother was shocked. "You can't expect Gilbert to sit on his laurels all his life. You mustn't come between a man and his calling, Anne. Gilbert will be a medical doctor and there's nothing you can or should do to stop it." Anne shook her head forlornly half wishing it were not the case, or at the very least that she could do something about it. Thoughts of moving over to Kingsport were rejected by Gilbert himself. "I'll be busy Anne. I won't have much time to devote to you."

Salvation came from quite an unexpected quarter. A letter arrived from Mrs Gardner. Half expecting it to be yet another lament, Anne was initially wary to open it, but it turned out not to be as awful as she expected. She wondered if Dorothy had had a hand in the writing of it. It ended with a request to come visit. Here was her chance, she could visit the Gardiners and see Gilbert as well.

"How do you feel about it?" she asked Charlotte who visibly shrank when she informed her about the invitation.

Wringing her apron, Dorothy replied hesitatingly, "if you need me ma'am of course I'll go."

"You don't sound keen."

"No, no of course, I am. It's fine, fine."

Anne broke the news to Marilla who was decidedly more enthusiastic. After all she felt responsible for this new thawing in their relationship, and it made her happy to see that Anne was prepared to let Mrs Gardner into her life, even if Anne had an ulterior motive. She kept her true feelings to herself however and gently wished Anne a safe journey.

The twins clattered in. Davy glancing at the baby, but evidently more interested in his afternoon tea. In contrast Dora was delighted to take Matthew in her arms while she waited for Marilla to cut her a slice. Davy hastily munched down two pieces before grabbing yet another as he ran out the door. "I thought he knew all about eating before, but I fancy his legs must be hollow," Marilla affectionally remarked. She had recently decided to be flattered by Davy's enthusiasm regarding her baking and her life had become considerably more enjoyable as a result.

"The thing is," Anne revealed. "Charlotte is unhappy."

"Charlotte?" Marilla exclaimed. "She's your maid, Anne. An employee is duty bound to go where her mistress sends her, surely."

"Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but the poor girl had a traumatic time living there. I'd rather not take her."

"You'll require a hand on the train. I can't see how you could manage on your own."

"No, I agree. I will need assistance. I don't know who else to ask."

Dora sat up straighter, placing the baby against her shoulder she said, "could I go, Anne?"

Marilla let out a bark of laughter, but Anne regarded her sister thoughtfully. "Anne?" Marilla said.

"Well, why not. When was the last time Dora visited Kingsport?"

"Your wedding, I suppose."

"Yes, that's right," Dora replied. "It was so beautiful, Anne. I never thought I'd experience anything like it."

"Yes, well," Anne paused then directed the next statement to Marilla, "but she could come, couldn't she? She's always a great help and Matthew adores her."

"I don't know," Marilla said, buying time. "She's terribly young."

"I'm almost sixteen, Marilla and I've never spent any time in a big town."

"You'll be working, hard. You won't have time for parties. If you go, you'll be assisting Anne, you're not to go gadding about."

Anne watched this interplay and thought back to the stern Marilla of old. She came out now and again, but it was apparent she had softened. It would have taken Anne a full week of wheedling, but Marilla had capitulated almost immediately. "Excellent," she interrupted. "I shall write Mrs Gardner at once and inform her that Dora, Matthew and I will be pleased to visit.

Packing was a detailed affair. Anne knew instinctively that their normal day clothes would be hopelessly unfashionable. She didn't care all that much, but she hated to put Dora into that situation. Her Kingston wardrobe was bound to be out of vogue by now, but it was better than nothing. Marilla tut-tutted as dress after dress was pulled out of the closet, but Dora caressed them like she would a small child. "It's fortunate you're about the same size," Rachel remarked. Removing a pin from her mouth she made a slight adjustment. "Not too much work to be done."

"it's a ridiculous waste of time," Marilla retorted. "As if anyone will notice what she's wearing." Dora cast her previously excited eyes downwards, Marilla was making her feel foolish.

"That's where you're wrong, Marilla. You've never had to hold your head up high with these people, but I assure you they will judge Dora and more to the point the whole of Avonlea. Dora's frock is a testament to us all. I don't want them to think we are mere bumpkins." Muttering to herself Marilla retreated; she was as skilled a dressmaker as any of them, but her dresses were practical items. Ever since Anne had first arrived at Green Gables this had been a rare bone of contention between mother and daughters; one it appeared she was bound to lose, yet again.

With a hoot of the train horn they were off. Dora grinning at Anne, the baby screaming at the noise. "Hush hush, it'll all be over soon," Anne soothed. "So, darling what shall we do in town?"

"Marilla said I have to work; I'll be caring for Matthew she said."

"Certainly, but they do have servants."

"But I thought."

"I didn't think I could manage the train on my own," Anne explained handing Matthew over, "but don't despair, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. I'm sure Mrs Gardner will have a plethora of lovely outings planned. She's very well connected."

Despite Mrs Gardner's home not being as grand as the old family house, it was still a far cry from Avonlea. Dora gazed opened mouthed when she entered, the plush carpet under her feet informing her that she was in some sort of fairyland. Anne jabbed her in the ribs, and she slammed her mouth shut with an audible pop. Smiling bemusedly Mrs Gardner examined her thoughtfully. "Turn around girl," she demanded, and Dora obeyed without thought, though if anyone else had asked she would have retorted.

"Mm, yes you'll do, you'll do," Mrs Gardner said not quite under her breath. "Though that dress is hopelessly out of fashion. No doubt your sister will take you shopping, since she is the one with all the money these days," she added, the barb all too apparent.

Anne smiled, "naturally, I'd be delighted," she replied. "But since we are both new to the city, perhaps you or Dorothy could accompany us. I hardly know where to go, or what to buy."

Mrs Gardner nodded, "yes, I think that's a good idea. I shall summon Dorothy, and we can make an outing of it. Now, show me my grandson. I'm sure he has grown since last met." Almost reluctantly, despite this being the reason they had come, Anne picked the baby up out of his perambulator and placed him in Mrs Gardner's arms. There was a silence then as Mrs Gardner examined him. She looked up at Anne, tears welling, "he reminds me of Roy at that age. His eyes, and that little button nose," she broke down in sobs and Anne reached forward to take the baby from her arms. Recovering Mrs Gardner gripped harder, "no, no, let me keep him a little while longer," she said, groping for her handkerchief. "I do miss Roy so, but having little Matthew close by is such a comfort."

It was a large party that climbed into the carriage the next morning. Anne, Dora, Mrs Gardner, and Dorothy; with a maid carrying the baby, the perambulator having been affixed to the back. Hiding her unease, Anne remarked, "and where to first, do you think Dorothy?" Dorothy rattled off the names of a few of her favourite dressmakers and directed the driver to the closest. "I doubt we'll find anything at this place, but it gives us a benchmark at the very least."

For her part, Mrs Gardner hoped this would not be too truncated an ordeal and equally she prayed they would not bump into anyone. Anne and young Dora looked like such bumpkins in their outmoded attire; she hated to think anyone she was acquainted with would believe they knew anyone so unfashionable.

Dorothy was far more kind-hearted, she was just pleased to see Anne again looking so content. Motherhood suits her, she said to herself, and young Dora is a dear and stunningly beautiful.

After a short drive the carriage stopped, and they piled out. Mrs Gardner taking her time climbing down the step, holding her hand out for anyone to help. Milling around on the pavement, it was Dorothy who led the way. There was not enough room inside for the perambulator too, so the maid was sent to walk around the block while they perused the fabric. "Will there be anything premade?" Dora asked.

"Goodness, we shan't be buying anything off the rack, Dora darling," Mrs Gardner replied condescendingly.

Dora sighed inwardly, "it was not common, she knew, but she rather liked the dresses she had seen in the Eaton's catalogue, Marilla believed them a terrible waste of money, preferring to make all their clothes on her handy sewing machine. But premade dresses held a certain allure for Dora.

Handed around unceremoniously and talked over, Dora felt rather like a side of ham. Sheaths of fabric were draped across her corseted midriff while the Gardiners and the shop assistant discussed styles. At no stage did anyone think to ask her for her input or opinion; her favourite colour was not requested. Her existing dress had been handed over to the shop assistant, to see if anything could be done to save it. The girl sat in a corner ripping out Mrs Lynde's stitches created with so much love only days before, wondering who this girl was and how she came to be wearing such outmoded attire.

They can't help it, Anne thought as she watched the Gardner women in their element. They think this is normal. Outside she could just hear Matthew's squawks, she looked up as the door tinkled once again, suffused in relief even as her milk came down. The maid handed Matthew over and she looked around for a chair. An assistant brought one over, the sudden silence as his lips met her nipple reliving them all.

"That one, I think," Mrs Gardner stated finally, handling a bolt of fabric, "and that one, don't you agree, Dorothy?"

"Mm hm, yes, I think they'll do fine. How is that girl doing with the dress?"

"I'll just go and find out," replied the store manager. She returned a moment later with Dora's dress in her hands. "This is the best we can do at such short notice."

Dora held her arms up while the dress was placed over her shoulders and waited while the manager did up the buttons for her. "Mm,' Mrs Gardner frowned. "Well, it will have to do. Now how long shall we have to wait for the new ones?" Matthew now sated, Anne paid a deposit for the dresses, conscious that neither she nor Dora had had much input into the decision. Nevertheless, she agreed that Dora would most likely look amazing in the result.

Arriving home, somewhat dazed Anne's exhaustion was alleviated by a note that had arrived while they were out. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at our usual spot, Love Gilbert.