Winter, 1896 : Chapter Four

                                    

                                          


                          
As Christmas was only a week and a half away, the bustle of Carmody had picked up. Many women had come into the store in search of pre-made dresses and hats for gifts, and others to receive their custom gowns. The flow of people had increased so much so, that Ms. Jeannie had asked for (Y/n) to work the counter so that she may tend to the other customers. Normally Vivian, the other employee under Ms. Jeannie, would take that position, but there was much to do, and not many hands. 
                          
Today was like any other day. A good lot of customers had arrived early in the morn to place some last minute orders, so they needn't much fuss for (Y/n) the clerk. However that all changed when a redhead lass came into the store. The ringing of the bell caused her to turn. She hastily created the younger girl before taking a moment to size her up; Wild red hair, freckles as far as the eye could see, and hand-me-down coat. 
                          
"What could I help you with, Miss?" (Y/n) asked. 
                          
Placing the white box on the table, she spoke. "I am here to return a dress." 
                          
She tenderly opened the box, revealing a stiff blue cotton dress she had briefly seen Ms. Jeannie work on. 
                          
"Was there anything wrong with it?" She inquired, taking it out of the box to search for any tears or missing buttons. 
                          
"Not a thing." She replied, her pearly whites shining brightly. She was still on the surface, but it seemed she had question brewing down under. 
                          
"Would you hold on just a moment?" The redhead nodded, and (Y/n) quickly escaped through the blue velvet curtains, leading to Ms. Pippett's fitting room. 
                          
"Miss Pippett, we have an odd return." (Y/n) started. Jeannie quirked a brow. 
                          
"Odd how?" 
                          
"A young girl came in with a dress she wanted to return." 
                          
"That doesn't sound too odd. Why did she want to return it?"
                          
She shook her head. "That's what I don't understand. She said there was nothing wrong." 
                          
Jeannie stood up and walked towards the curtains. "Guess we'll find out." (Y/n) stayed towards the back of the store, wishing to hear the interaction from afar. 
                          
She could head Ms. Pippett let out a gasp before saying, "You're Matthew's-". Her words were cut out as (Y/n) yawned. She continued watching the affair, seeing the girl begin to sob and quickly be engulfed by her Misses'. She watched it end with Ms. Pippett handing the girl a tidy sum of cash and leaving her with these parting words, "You're worth a lot to him." 
                          
(Y/n) had lots of questions, but knew better than to pry. Or at least knew not to pry right away. She would definitely ask Ms. Pippett after closing up the shop. 
                          
---
                          
The next half hour was as normal as things usually were. She fitted some women for their hats, repaired some ribbon on a sash, and pretended that she took no notice to the empty treasury box that was brimming full this morn. 
                          
She had decided to take her break soon, hoping to catch Gilbert and talk about what she had practiced from her last 'lesson' with him. Putting on her veiled toque and coat, she opened the door and braced herself for the cold air. She walked only a few steps before seeing the same redhead from earlier exiting the pawn shop across the street. She had seemed to bump into someone she knew, as she began to talk to the figure in front of her. (Y/n) craned her neck in an attempt to see over the passing crowd and carriage. She could only make out the brown of a newsboys cap, and the red tartan of a coat. A very familiar coat. 
                          
Sure enough, when they turned to walk, the very prominent side profile of Gilbert Blythe could be seen, escorting the redhead to where she assumed they'd be going to; The coffee house. 
                          
The bell to La Rue rang, and Ms. Jeannie rose her eyebrows in surprise. "I didn't expect you to finish your break that quickly." She chided to her employee. (Y/n) gave a dry laugh in agreement as she hung her coat and hat on the side. 
                          
"Believe me, it was not my intention." 
                          
Jeannie gave a smile. "Would you mind re-tying the ribbon on the display dresses?" She asked, nodding her head towards her displays. She nodded, and quickly put her nimble fingers to work. 
                          
(Y/n) counted a minute in her head before asking her question. 
                          
"Ms. Pippett, who was that girl who came into the store earlier?" She asked quizzically, looking up from her work.
                          
The older woman gave a wistful sigh. "She's the daughter of an old acquaintance of mine, from my schooling days." 
                          
"Matthew?" 
                          
"How did you know?" 
                          
She giggled. "I heard you say his name earlier. I don't think I saw his daughter come into the store for the gown." It was obviously a custom dress, as the fabric was not popular color amongst the current trends. 
                          
"She didn't. Matthew came to make it for her." 
                          
"That's very sweet." 
                          
"It is." 
                          
"Where do they live? I don't believe I've seen them around Carmody." 
                          
"They live a ways away, in Avonlea." 
                          
"Avonlea." (Y/n) muttered to herself. 
                          
"I've finished the gowns. I'll get started on the hats upstairs." She excused herself and quickly ran up the steps. 
                          
She took a seat at her table, letting her mind wander. She had done enough prying, and had learned quite a bit. 
                          
---
                          
(Y/n) sewed the piece of lace onto the hat onto the black hat on the table. She worked animatedly, as her thoughts were far away. 
                          
She thought of the girl from earlier that day. It took (Y/n) a little while to figure it out, but some tragedy had struck the girl's family, which is why she had come to Carmody. She came to sell. She returned her dress, and sold at the Pawn Shop. The shop keep wasn't the fairest of the lot, so she assumed she was making another sum from somewhere else in Carmody, perhaps by selling livestock? She then thought of seeing her with Gilbert. It was obvious that they had known each other, and both seemed eager to chat. Or at least that's what she guessed from the specks of expression she could see from across the street. Nonetheless she knew one thing, the feeling of jealousy should not cross her mind. 
                          
She had known Gilbert for all of two weeks. Two and half weeks if you wanted to be picky. This girl had known him for longer. They had probably gone to school together, or attended the same church. All she knew is that it was unjust of her to feel that way. 
                          
To top it all off, her family was going through a rough time just before Christmas. How could she be irate at this poor child who's life was clearing spinning? 
                          
Her thoughts then turned to Gilbert. She had seen him walk into the Carmody inn after a day's work, so she assumed he had lived there. But if he was previously in Avonlea, why leave that land?
                          
'He's already answered that question.' She thought to herself thinking back to a few days ago at the coffee house. 'He wants to travel.' 
                          
"Ah!" (Y/n) hissed in pain, her previous thoughts long scattered. She had pricked herself with her needle. Blood began to pool on her finger tip, so she rummaged around for a scrap to tie it with. 
                          
"This is what I get for not minding my own business. At least it was my own hat I was working on, so my carelessness can be excused."