Purely Devoted | Gilbert Blythe

the not so grand picnic

The picnic was an event organized by the community of Avonlea to welcome, not only the Beaumont family, but also an orphan girl who had just moved from Nova Scotia. She was the new daughter of the Cuthbert's. A family, which Charlotte learned, consisted of an elder pair of siblings who neither of them married.

Charlotte was glad her family wasn't  going to be the only new people. That way at least not all of the gossip-hungry eyes would be focused on them.

The carriage ride was shorter than the blonde girl had anticipated, giving her little to no time for preparation. She didn't know what to expect. Will the girls be mean to her? Will the boys tease her? Will the parents disapprove of the character?

The younger Beaumont was never one to shy away or second guess her movements. But, then again, she had never been the 'new girl'.

Nervous was understatement as to how she was feeling in that carriage. However, she made a promise to herself, saying that no matter what opinions or comments these people make, she will always keep her head high and remember her worth.

So as the Beaumont family descended from the carriage, and approached the group of people who had gathered to take their own look at the 'fresh meat', Charlotte took each step with confidence and elegance, her head up high as she promised.

The whole town, who had been previously blabbering and gossiping around, stopped their every move once they saw the family approaching.

Everyone gawked in awe, the Beaumont family was the spitting image of elegance and power. It sure made a whole lot of families intimidated. No one dared to utter a word, everyone was waiting in anticipation for the family's next move.

All four members of the French family stood straight and tall, taking their own look around the Avonlea lot. The people couldn't help but feel exposed and conscious as the family seemed to analyze them.

Finally, Paul Beaumont locked eyes with William Barry, who was sitting in a tent with his family. He remembered Mr Barry from his childhood, they were old friends from when Paul attended school here. So he took his hat off and sent a smile to his old acquaintance.

William Barry stood up hurriedly and gestured his wife and children to follow him out of the tent, and towards the Beaumont family's.

"Quickly girls!" Mrs. Barry whispered to her daughters through gritted teeth, before mustering a huge smile.

Once the Barrys reached the French family, Paul was the first to break the silence.

"If it isn't William Barry, I think the last time I saw you was at that hockey game the day after the Queens exam."

"Oh yes, it has been a while my good friend."

"If memory serves me right, my team beat yours 10-4. Quite the match I'll tell you." Paul answered, a witty grin painted across his face. A matching smirk grew on her youngest daughter's lips. Same girl who was trying to hold back a snort as Mr. Barry quickly denied it.

"Oh really? I-I don't quite remember it that way." The shorter friend replied, shaking his head and pretended he was trying to remember.

Paul couldn't help but chuckle at his old friend's pride. Everyone knew Mr. Beaumont was the one who had the score right.

"I see you haven't changed, dear friend. I hope neither have I. My family however, is another story. May I introduce you to Mrs Julia Beaumont, my wife." He placed his hand on his wife's lower back, guiding her in front of Mr. Barry.

Julie stepped forward and nodded with a small smile, waving over her two daughters to the front as well. Once the Beaumont girls where revealed to the town, all sorts of thoughts ran through the air of that picnic gathering. Some boys where in awe of their beauty, some girls were admiring their elegance and grace, while others were jealous and bitter. But one thing everyone shared, was the amazement for their appearance to say the least.