WHEN WE WERE YOUNG (Anne with an E Short Stories)

Anne & Gilbert - Scotland

Chapter dedicated to Pepperoniandcheese2 thank you for your support.

GILBERT sat glued to the window watching the waves lap at the steel ship. They were arriving soon, off the coast of England, and bright white cliffs met them. "It's magical" Anne breathed in delight, since they had boarded the boat, she had been filled with uncared energy. "And we are almost there Gilbert!" She giggled.

"Well we have a few days of trains left Anne before we are up in Scotland" he reminded. They had planned to head directly to London before spending a few nights exploring the museums and sites before continuing up towards Scotland by train. Their sleeping children were not as excited as their parents as they spent their journey sleeping.

Gilbert had accepted a short teaching position at the Sourbone in Paris, and the whole family had relocated to support him. With his position coming to a close, it seemed only fitting to visit the UK and Scotland while in this part of the world. As soon as he suggested it to Anne she had pulled out a case of money that she had been saving as a teacher. She had written 'Adventure box' on the top in neat handwriting.

The train up to London was busy and passed through stunning scenery. As Anne studied the rolling hills she could understand why all the great writers produced such extraordinary books in a place like this. Even the sunshine felt different. "Diana said she would meet us at the train station. I told her not to worry, but I am agrarian she insisted" Anne pointed to Gilbert.

"I am just glad to not be sharing a room with these two muchkins any longer. They can bicker in peace" he smiled. To which Anne rolled her eyes, before looking back out the window. She wondered what port her parents had left from to head to Scotland. She had done more research into the topic and found that the state had aided travel to Canada for the past hundred years. Scott's were known for their bravery, battle spirits and red hair. All qualities Gilbert would easily have seen in Anne.

The thick smog of London greeted them, and they pulled into Kings Cross Station. The weary travellers collected their belongings before marching of the train to find Diana and her family. "Anne!" A voice broke through the crowd and Gilbert watched his wife giggle and run towards her oldest friend. He knew this would be the last he would see if his wife for the next few days.

"Come along you too. Let's put down these bags for good" the kids agreed instantly at that statement and followed suit. Diana lived in a town house in central London, and had arranged for hot baths to greet the travellers and comforting hot dinner to fill their bellies in recovery. "Thank you for having us" Gilbert had added as they settled into the table. The quietness was strange, but Diana preferred for the kids to eat earlier - so for the first time, they were not with them.

"I wouldn't dream of you staying anywhere else. I am so happy to see you both. Anne wrote to me about Paris, it's such a wonderful city" she smiled.

"Wonderful, but very unlike Prince Edward Island. It had me missing the open fields and noisy neighbors. But I did enjoy going to all the palaces and museums" Anne added before smiling at Gilbert "And everyone was raving g about Gilbert's reader and papers. So I think he might be invited back!" Gilbert blushed at the praise. He enjoyed his research and writing about important things, but he didn't like all the fancy fragments that seemed to come with it.

Their stay in London ended quickly, and unfortunately for the friends it meant that Anne had to be on her way again. She was so greatful to see Diana and enjoyed their time together that leaving always broke her heart. But deep in the pits of her stomach she couldn't help but feel excited about finally returning to Scotland. The highlands where her parents grew up. Surrounded by lochs, mountains, green rolling hills and dense forests. She had her parents book with her, the edges worn from use and placed her bag with it securely in the overhead compartment. They had their own little room, and a large window to enjoy the view. Diana's cook had prepared a picnic meal for them to enjoy on their journey.

The kids had fallen asleep, leaving Anne to lean her head on her husband's shoulder. "Thank you for coming with me Gil" she whispered.

"Thank you for letting me come with you my dear" he smiled, reaching for her hand to hold it in his own.

"I think my parents should be happy that I finally came back to visit" the words reminded Gilbert of his own promise to his father, who wanted him to keep travelling.

"I know they would. Both our parents would be happy for it. I think they would have loved the idea of you bringing your family here. And breathing the same air. I am glad that I could bring you here" he whispered.

He remembered the letter that she had wrote to him, after they started being pen-pals in college. He had wished he brought her here earlier, but was glad that after all these years, that they could come to Scotland together.