Hopes and Fears

ten // truth is rarely simple or pure

"Words may lie but actions will always tell the truth."

...

"Who's this now?" Sebastian asked as Gilbert brought James into the kitchen for dinner.

"This is my old friend James Riley from when we worked on the steamer?" Gilbert introduced them. "Do you remember him?"

James gave Bash a warm smile and shook his hand enthusiastically. "Ah, I remember you. We spoke a few times."

"That's right. I do remember you. We had latrine duty together once or twice." Bash reminisced, laughing.

"That certainly has a way of bonding people together. The smell traumatised me forever..." James indulged in the humour of the story although it was deeply unpleasant to live through at the time.

"Aye, well if you wanna smell something good, do sit down. Both of you. I've cooked a stew." Bash beckoned the young men into seats.

"Thank you, Sebastian." Gilbert said, gratefully accepting his bowl. "So, Bash. I need to tell you something - James is going to be staying with us for a while... He is looking for a job at the moment and will be using the spare room until he gets back on track, so to speak."

"The more the merrier." Bash shrugged, grinning.

"You're in a good mood." Gilbert commented.

"This is the joy of a man who's seen an angel, Blythe. I met the most wonderful woman today in town..." Bash said, his smile taking over his face. "Her name is Mary. I went to a laundry room in a place called The Bog... it's where people like -- like me live. Near Charlottetown. Mary fixed my shirts and we went for a walk together after her shift ended..."

"Good for you, my man." James smiled, tucking into his stew.

"I like her very much. We're meeting again soon, but not nearly soon enough." Bash said.

"That's great news, Bash." Gilbert smiled softly.

After being so happy, Bash had planned on breaching the subject of Anne and Gilbert's heartbreak and see if the boy would open up to him so he could help him. Bash wanted Gilbert to be happy again. But seeing him with James, Bash felt that it wasn't the best time. Besides, James was a good man and it would do Gilbert good to spend time with him.

Scarlett and her gang was still fresh on James and Gilbert's minds but as they glanced at each other across the table they could tell they were both torn between telling Sebastian the truth and possibly putting him at risk and keeping it from him and keeping him safe. Neither spoke of it as they finished dinner.

Afterwards they washed up and thanked Bash, who retired to bed. Once he was gone, Gilbert and James set about to discuss their plan.

Before they got the chance however, there was a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" James frowned.

Gilbert crossed the room and opened the door, to be met by a large group of recognisable faces. Jerry Baynard and Anne's friends from before... What were they all doing at Blythe farm? The tall girl with almond-shaped eyes spoke first, her jaw tipped up stubbornly and her face alight with a mission.

"Gilbert Blythe,"

"January?" Came a voice from behind Gilbert. James had approached the door to see.

"James?" January was surprised to see James there.

After Jerry mentioned him she knew she'd be seeing him again but she hadn't expected to see him so soon let alone at Gilbert's house... She'd been interested to find out how he'd known so much about the events of last winter and how he tied into the drama that surrounded Joseph Bines and the robberies Anne was framed for.