6Wow! I wasn't expecting so many positive reviews. Thank you, everyone! Because of you, I've decided to continue the story and make it a complete piece. I went somewhat random here, and broke through writer's block near the end of this chapter. Yes, I understand that it ends somewhat abruptly, and I won't make any excuses as I normally would. Anyway, enjoy!
Childhood II
Winter passed slowly, and so I offered my knitting services to Fanny Mayfield. Fanny was a kind old woman who prattled on endlessly. Her rants and musings were interesting at the very least, and slightly outrageous. Nevertheless, I enjoyed her company. I spent my evenings stretched out across her rug in front of the fireplace, my knitting resting across my stomach and my hands fiddling with the needles. Fanny brought in coffee and biscuits as we sat in companionable silence.
She would often have visitors and introduce me to them as her "cherished friend, Annabelle Hudson." Of course, the entire town knew of me, but despite that, Fanny loved to make considerable fuss over things. One morning, she introduced me to a pair of girls two towns over.
"Emily Chiddister and Cordelia Quinn," she said with a great deal of imperiousness in her tone. "Come, come. My dear nieces, this is Annabelle Hudson, my treasured friend."
Smiling at her recently devised synonym, I remained in my seat and set down the muffler I was knitting. I heard a great deal of shuffling. "A pleasure meeting you." I heard nothing but slight movement, and supposed that the two had nodded in assent. "It feels like evening," were my next words.
Fanny chuckled. "Anne has the most uncanny way of knowing things. Oh, do sit down. Those bonnets simply won't do in here. Outside, perhaps, but it's stifling inside!"
I reached for my new cane and stood. "The little time I have spent with you has been pleasant, yet I must take your leave."
"Yes, it will be dark soon," said a melodic voice. I could not decipher whether it belonged to Ms. Chiddister or Ms. Quinn. Nonetheless, I smiled and nodded. My smile nearly turned into a grimace at the irony.
"Oh, but they have only just met you, Anne! Stay!" Fanny pleaded.
I shook my head even as she clasped my hands. I leaned forward and gave her the customary kiss on the cheek before drawing on my shawl and bundling up my knitting. With a sureness that had grown throughout the years, I made my way out.
The next morning, I was told that I had callers. Several of them, in fact. From the voices in the sitting room, I recognized Fanny's two guests; Gabriel and Joe Butler; Marigold Rice, the baker's young daughter; and Lillian Newman, Ruth's elder. Upon entering, the voices quieted as Joe helped me to a seat.
"So many guests on one morning," I chuckled. "Do tell what brings you all to my doorstep."
Marigold was the first to speak, "Oh, dear. Then you've forgotten?"
"Apparently so," I replied with a smile.
"You promised to keep me out of trouble at mum's shop."
"That cannot be!" cried the melodic voice I had heard the night before. "We planned on taking Anne to town-"
"Oh, do be quiet, Emily!" Said an exasperated voice that could only be Cordelia.
Joe was the next to exclaim, "But, Anne, Lil and I wished to take you out on a picnic, and Gabriel-"
"Good God! Do you ever have the grace to keep quiet?" Gabriel interrupted. I could not contain a smile, for this was one of the rare moments when Gabriel lost his temper.
I listened to the bickering for a moment before opening my mouth the quiet them. Before I could, however, Lil Newman shouted, "For the love of God, will the lot of you cease your squabbling?" Lil was quite famous for her quick tongue. Within moments the room was at a complete standstill. She continued in a subtler tone, "Perhaps Anne should decide what she wishes to do."