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19. the truth

- That morning -

It had been a while since Joseph last snuck into a house to steal, and he had missed it.

It was early that morning when he reached the estate. Before Diana had risen, before Jerry had come to ask for her help with Anne. The Barry's was a large manor house, fleecing the place would easily set Joseph up for life. Of course at the moment with all the heat on his tail, he couldn't risk it. A few personal treasures would be a doddle to take though, and were perfect for his plan.

Joseph had cased the place beforehand, and he knew Mr Barry and his staff were out. Diana Barry was asleep and she had forgotten to lock her large bedroom window. There was a large apple tree station right outside, perfect for a skilled climber to scale. Joseph crept up the branches, smiling. It was too easy.

He slipped in through the window, tip toeing across the room. Diana lay fast asleep, a troubled frown creasing her brow. There, beside Diana's neatly-made bed was a small chest. Joseph opened it and discovered a beautiful opal pin in the shape of a heart. He also took a beautiful embroidered red silk ribbon and a delicate necklace hung with tiny diamonds.

Concealing the treasures in his pocket, he snuck back out of the window again, just as the sun began to trickle in through the curtains. To come through the high wall he'd smashed the lock on the back gate. He retreated through the same way, leaving it ajar. Joseph's next destination was Green Gables.

...

Diana told her mum that she needed a break from the party preparations and that she was going out to visit Anne. She met Jerry by the back garden gate where he was waiting for her. The lock on the gate was broken, which was strange. Diana had come through here not long ago and the lock was intact.

"Did you break this?" She asked Jerry.

"No. I wouldn't." He said, holding up his hands defensively. "It was like that when I came."

Diana was confused by this, but let it slide. Accidents happen, maybe her father was aware of it and was getting it fixed. She climbed on the back of Jerry's horse and rode all the way to Green Gables. She was getting much more used to riding as a means of transport, now she was doing it regularly. She used to only ride in a carriage or wagon.

When they arrived, Jerry led Diana to the meadow but Anne was no longer there. They found her in the woods at the bottom of the hill. It was beautiful there, full of flowers with the stream bubbling and rushing clear blue. It lead all the way to the Barry Lake, or as Anne named it - the Lake of Shining Waters. The trees were lush and green, the sun filtering in through the leaf-laden branches.

Diana briefly wished she had more practical shoes. The forest floor was no good on her house shoes. She made her way to Anne, Jerry keeping his distance. He cared about Anne, despite her being irritating.

"Anne." Diana called out.

The red-haired girl was sitting on a mossy fallen tree, leaning back against a thick tree trunk. Her brow was furrowed and her eyes were swimming with worry. Diana approached slowly, growing more concerned as she got closer. Anne looked weak and she held her side where the bandage was. She hadn't seen her friend since she was sleeping in the bed at the Tilderlys farm and she didn't look much better now.

"Anne, my darling friend." Diana greeted and Anne looked up. "How are you?"

Anne watched as Diana sat down on the log beside her. She felt a rush of emotion at the thought of Joseph hurting Diana. It hurt her to even imagine it.

"Diana." Anne murmured.

"You're quite alright?" Diana asked.

"Yes." Anne lied, feeling cautious.