Music, Anne thought, was the second most wonderful thing in the world, second only after love itself.

The recitation was a pure undiluted joy and Anne felt she was in a dream throughout. It was held in the grand Town Hall in Charlottetown, gilded and high in structure giving the presence of a very old and important building. Decorated with glittering lamps and red velvet carpets, bustling with the most beautiful evening gowns and smartest suits. Anne made sure to store it all away inside her memory to reference in the penning of stories. It was like a well of inspiration.

Marianne Jean herself was a master of piano. A tanned, oval face crowned in black curls and dressed in a violet dress sparkling with jewels, she was a picture to observe too. Her delicate fingers whipped over the keys as splendid music seemed to pour out of her very hands, her mind and heart. Anne felt her heart soaring high and her eyes tearing up with emotion.

Diana sat beside her, in awe of the pianist. Piano was her biggest passion, exceeding her parent's hopes of it being a character-building hobby. Diana had talent and plenty of love for the instrument. She had never considered that a woman could perform it as a career. Marianne Jean  had made a lot of money in only one night, as the tickets weren't cheap... Diana imagined an entire tour of the country, every major town hall having a showing to a hundred people... Diana's mind was blown by the prospect of a pianist career even existing. The prospect of making money was hard to fathom, let alone from doing something she loved.

During the interval Mr and Mrs Barry went to fetch drinks, leaving the three young girls to chatter excitedly about the music. Minnie May had enjoyed the music too but her attention span was low and she was looking for mischief at this point. She began rocking in her chair, which irritated Diana enough to trigger an argument. It was likely this which drew the attention of an older boy sitting a few tiers lower than them.

"I say, Anne Shirley - you're always right in the middle of all the excitement." Edward Haswick exclaimed as he walked along the aisle to greet them. "Diana Barry, I believe? Pleasure to meet you. This must be your sister."

Minnie May stopped rocking instantly and Diana straightened up. Edward nodded his head to them politely and graced them with a friendly smile.

"How good to make your acquaintance," Diana beamed. "This is my sister, Minnie May."

"An honour, I'm sure." Edward grinned at Minnie May who didn't even stick out her tongue, which surprised both Diana and Anne. She merely waved and smiled like a well-behaved girl.

"I'm surprised to see you, Edward - with all the excitement I quite forgot you were attending." Anne said.

"Forgot? I don't recall telling you I was coming."

"Oh, Gilbert told me." Anne explained.

"I see. Did he also tell you that I've secured him an apprentice position at  Doctor Rooke's practice?" Edward smiled cheerfully. He had anticipated Anne's joy at this news but it was better than he imagined.

"He didn't! That's absolutely brilliant news. Oh, I'm so dreadfully excited for him. I know it means a lot to have that kind of opportunity. It's so good of you to provide one. I'm awful grateful. Was he so thrilled when you offered?"

"He was thrilled." Edward chuckled at Anne's enthusiasm. He enjoyed her high spirits and excited manner. It cheered him up.

"How are you enjoying the recitation?" Anne asked, with eager eyes. She longed to discuss it as she had so much to say.

"I think Madam Jean is an absolute master of the piano, don't you? She's splendidly accomplished."

"I truly adore her. It would be wonderful to be so remarkably gifted. Could you even imagine having such unending talent, pouring from your very fingers? As though every possibility of musical creation were simply resting just out of reach whenever you fancied taking up an instrument. What a blessing." Anne sighed dreamily.

As Edward watched her speak he thought how wonderfully expressive she was. He enjoyed their interactions very much as they provided a well-earned respite from the rather melancholy atmosphere he experienced in is home life.  He was grateful to have made friends with such a lively girl, who's mere presence uplifted his spirits.

"I am glad to have seen you tonight, Anne. I wonder, are you coming to the Church picnic next month?"

"I don't know yet, as my charge Marilla often says such social events are merely an excuse for idle chatter when there's good work to be found at home." Anne laughed and rolled her eyes. "I don't think she has much time for it but I might persuade her to allow me attendance. I do so love picnics and they are usually such exciting, sunny and friendly affairs. It might be just what I need to blow away the cobwebs of Winter."

"Well," Edward levelled Anne with his bright eyes. "I for one, hope to see you there."

With that, he nodded his head politely at the girls and left them for his seat. Anne turned to Diana, to find an incredulous smile on her friend's face. "I say! Anne Shirley Cuthbert. Whatever have you done to get so many dashing boys all but throw themselves at your feet?"

Anne groaned and protested. "I promise you, Edward is only a friend. He is not interested in me like that."

Diana just smirked. "If you say so..."

Minnie May, delighted to be on the same page as them began to sing, "Anne loves Edward, Edward loves Anne--!" Much to the irritation of both Anne and Diana and Mr and Mrs Barry who returned at that moment to urgently shush the child.

After the recitation ended, Aunt Josephine went back stage to talk to Marianne Jean. She 'knew somebody who knew somebody', Mr Barry said. Aunt Jo had many connections in the arts and had asked if Diana and Anne wanted to go backstage too. They were very eager but Diana's mother protested, saying it wasn't dignified or proper - causing Aunt Jo to scold her for being so strict. Highly humiliated, Mrs Barry insisted the girls come away and that they returned to the carriage to wait for Aunt Jo.

"Really, Eliza. She's just a pianist." Mr Barry rolled his eyes.

"It's principle, William. I'd appreciate if you didn't contradict me in front of the girls." Mrs Barry was getting very erratic by this point.

"Mother, it would mean a lot to me if I got to--" Diana began, hesitating with every word. She never fought with her parents.

"Diana!" Mrs Barry shrilled. "Girls, we're leaving."

Diana bit her lip, looking over her shoulder at the backstage door. She paused, wishing she had the courage to go against her mother's word and run through the door. Instead, she turned and followed her mother to the exit. Anne watched her go, her heart aching for her friend. She saw something in Diana's eyes, a deep-seated regret and she wondered if there was something else weighing on her friend's mind. Diana was never one to burden her with woes, in fact, the girl never seemed to have many large ones. Perhaps that had changed...

...

On the return drive the next morning, Anne had a lot to think about.

Diana had been quiet the previous night when they got back from the recitation and the two friends had barely spoken during the journey so far. It was unlike them not to talk, they always had things to discuss. Anne was worried about Diana but she couldn't talk to her in front of her parents. Anne also thought about Green Gables and how it had felt to leave. It had been good to get away and there was something about that which worried Anne. Would she ever truly recover from her trauma? Or would she always harbour the remaining paranoia and fears, those dreadful memories and all of it associated with her beloved Avonlea... It was a trigger just being in the town, everywhere she went she thought about it... About him. That terrible boy... Gilbert's discovery of Joseph's grave had confirmed her belief of his death, but she often thought about who that red hair Gilbert had found belonged to... After her sighting of the fearless woman rider with red hair Anne had started to piece together a theory. Perhaps Gil was wrong, there was another red-head in Avonlea and perhaps they were tied to Joseph Bines... That idea was frightening.

Anne swallowed hard and leant her head against the carriage window panes, closing her eyes as they crossed the border to Avonlea and headed home.

...

Josie Pye had been busy while Anne was away.

The thing with bullies, is that all of their misdirected rage, hate and indignation always stems from being mistreated themselves. Josie's uptight, strict and controlling Mother was a victim of society's classism and strict courting rules and was thereby banned from courting the boy she truly loved. This resentment, regret and heartbreak was bottled up for many years, through loveless marriage and a difficult motherhood and then finally released in a very unfortunate form. Instead of 'if I wasn't allowed freedom, at least she can be' Josie's Mother thought, 'if I wasn't allowed, then why should she be?'. Sadly, this lead to Josie being groomed from a young age to be constantly thinking about her presentation and how to get the attention of boys. She was told it was better to be pretty and a pleasing housewife than anything else, leading to a childhood of being reprimanded for ruining dresses playing messy or rough games, staying up late reading, play with lower-class girls and being friends with boys. As she grew up, Josie learned to be aloof, neat and cold.

Seeing Anne Shirley arrive in Avonlea was hard as she personified everything Josie envied.

Bold, fearless, individual, imaginative, endearingly kind and passionate, smart and worst of all - well-loved by everyone despite her faults. Anne was adopted from a orphanage expected to be a hard-working boy and turned up as a troublesome girl yet the Cuthberts kept her... She would appear at school covered in leaves and mud with torn skirts and messy plaits and Gilbert would gaze at her all day long. She could embarrass herself in public or engage in childish make-believe or monologue her imaginings, yet Diana remained her adoring friend.

After being publicly berated by Anne at school and seeing the infuriatingly shameless girl kissing Gilbert in the yard, Josie was determined to show Anne for good. She wanted to knock her off her high-horse. Josie may have apologised to Anne after the fire and rescued her from Barry Manor but what resentment she held for the girl was still there and it was awoken by her Mother's insistence that Josie would fail the entrance exam for Queens Academy... The idea for entering was given by the teacher Miss Stacy, who had encouraged Josie. As soon as it was mentioned, Josie's Mother had begun her campaign to crush her hopes of success. Meanwhile, Anne had been talking about how supportive her Cuthberts had been of her application.

Josie's revenge was put in motion the moment Anne left Avonlea.

...

Marilla heard it before Anne reached Green Gables.

It was, as most gossip or news was, delivered by the dependably-knowledgeable Rachel Lynde. Matthew was working in the barn when he saw her walking up the yard. He recognised that purposeful stride and knew instantly she had news for Marilla. Marilla opened the door to a grim-faced Rachel who greeted her with, "You may have to sit down for this, Marilla."

"Oh, enough dilly-dallying. Tell me your news, I can see you're dying to." Marilla sighed as they reached the kitchen. She knew her friend well-enough to see that there was something big eating her up.

"I wouldn't be so eager if I were you. This is not pleasant news, not at all. Tis the kind that changes your set mind about people. Now, I said it myself, a dozen times if I recall. It is to be expected, of course, of a child raised in such godless environments! Poor girl, probably didn't know any better - although you'd think he would - You'd also hope that after all the hard work you've put in to instill some morals and piety she'd have better sense but here we have it--"

"I can see by your dancing around the topic you believe I will be upset by your news and I gather it is about Anne. I'd have hoped after everything we've been through lately you'd have better sense than to keep me hanging about news of Anne." Marilla said, with little patience.

Rachel sighed deeply, her manner slightly pitying. "There's talk in the Women's Groups, people don't want their daughters to school alongside Anne. She's been shamed, you see... there were notes found in school yesterday signed with her name... Damning words, Mar. Talk of sinful things, I'm sure you can guess what I'm implying. Original sin, as I've always said she possessed. Now I know she's young, we all make mistakes but this is social ruin."

Marilla felt shocked and numb. She knew exactly what Rachel implied... Exactly what people thought Anne had done.

"Now, it wasn't just her. There were other notes too, it was a ... a lustful correspondence. A certain young man has lead her astray. Now I know this will be difficult to process for you, but I wouldn't blame her for all of it - he's just as charming as John used to be at that age. I'm sure you can remember that well. I wanted you to hear it from me before she got back. This will need to be addressed and I came as soon as I knew. I wanted you to be prepared."

Rachel left it hanging in the air, watching as her friend took it all in silently. It appeared after a while that Marilla would not say anything more. Rachel turned to leave, knowing her duties were finished and the handling of it was up to Marilla. Marilla's words stopped her in her tracks.

"What exactly are they saying about her?" Marilla spoke clear and unaffected although she was ashamed and mortified.

Rachel took a deep breath. Marilla wanted it all on the table, so she obliged.

"They say that Anne slept with Gilbert Blythe."

...

Gilbert had spent the past few days travelling all over Avonlea.

He'd been volunteering with some other older boys running supplies to the quarantined families who'd been housebound by the fever. He'd seen many families affected by it, hallucinating and burning up for days. All of the Doctors were constantly occupied by the spreading illness, causing great strain on the town. Gilbert found the work exhausting, but it was a good distraction from his own problems. Aside from missing Anne a great deal, he had still been suffering with sleepless nights and when he did experience sleep his dreams were troubled. His mind was heavy with concerns about college too, as he would take the entrance exam for Queens Academy in the Fall but the tuition fees were high and he wasn't sure how he'd afford them. He still had the money he'd recovered from Guardinia Cottage, where Joseph Bines had stored it. But it was dirty money, it felt wrong to use it for personal gain, or use it for anything for that matter.

On his way home the day after Anne's recital, Gilbert stopped at the boarding house which James Riley was staying in. He hadn't seen his friend in a while, yet he was often in his thoughts. The poor man had been through so much.

"Blythe!" James' Irish accent greeted as he opened the door to Gilbert. He was pleased to see the younger boy, to get some friendly company after his last visitor being so murderous.

"James, I'm sorry it's been so long. I've been swamped in my studies." Gilbert embraced his old friend, before entering the room.

They sat and shared drinks. Gilbert thought that James looked tired, he recognised the symptoms of insomnia. "How are you, Gilbert? Tell me."

"Honestly, I'm well. I'm tired though, I've been working so hard on my exams I haven't had much free time. Plus I'm going to start an apprenticeship with Doctor Rooke soon, which will be rewarding. I am hoping to learn a great deal from him." Gilbert explained.

"How is Anne? And Diana?" James asked enthusiastically. "How are my best gals?"

Gilbert smiled fondly. "They're doing alright. Diana is throwing herself into school like there's no tomorrow and her family are still working on the reconstruction in Barry Manor after the fire. Anne is... Recovering well. It's still hard. Maybe it always will be, after what she went through. But it's Anne... She will always persist with life no matter what life throws at her. She's strong."

"She is." James nodded in agreement.

"So, tell me... How are you?" Gilbert leant forward, narrowing his eyes.

James hesitated.

"Don't just tell me you're fine." Gilbert said.

James was glad of the dim lighting in his room as it made it difficult for Gilbert to see the emotions struggling to be controlled on James' face.

"I... Well, better than I was doing last month... Better than the month before that. It gets easier every day, but it's always painful. The guilt is like a shadow. It's always there. Nobody tells you how hard it is, nothing prepares you for it."

Gilbert listened. He couldn't do much else, but he could do that. Sometimes that is all that is necessary. He didn't understand what it felt like, to take a life. Even an evil one. He couldn't empathise and he didn't want to patronise his friend by attempting to.

"I am still looking for a job. I quit my job on the docks after my injury to recover but I'm healed now." James paused and laughed slightly. It was hollow and strange. "I've been healed for a while now. Why can't I drag myself back to the grindstone? Why can't I stop thinking about her? It's been so long, she's still in my head."

Gilbert sighed deeply. He did understand the paralysis of grief at least. "Your body is healed, sure. What about your heart? What about your mind?"

James was silent.

"It's just as important. You have to give yourself time, time to breathe." Gilbert spoke gently but firmly. "That is part of healing."

James bit his lip. He leant back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. "I don't have time. I'm going to be kicked out, I'll be on the streets next week."

"What?" Gil's eyes widened. "Why?"

"I don't have any money. I've been idle too long. My savings ran dry... Plus I'm still in debt for my medical treatments."

Gilbert thought for a minute, desperate to solve his friend's problem. "Don't worry, I think I know what to do."

James smiled slightly but his eyes shone with tears. "I don't know what to do anymore. I'm glad somebody does."

"I will fix this." Gilbert stood up, filled with determination. "You helped us, helped put an end to the trouble we went through. I owe you."

James shook his head. "You don't owe me. Friends don't owe."

He thought then, the trouble isn't over... Scarlett is in Avonlea. But he didn't say anything, he kept it to himself. He was sure Scarlett didn't know about Joseph's connection to Anne or Gilbert so they were safe for now. He didn't want to place more troubles upon the already troubled pair.

Gilbert nodded in agreement. "I will be back soon. I will sort this out."

"Thank you," James said. "Make sure to take good care of your Anne. You've got something precious, you know."

"I know." Gilbert said.

What he didn't know, what Anne didn't know was she was going to be in a lot of trouble when she got back to Avonlea.