Shirley (Chapter 2 of Anne)

Next morning Shirley came home from her meeting in Summerside. At
the sight of Anne she came running into the house and demanded an
explanation for the little girl who was playing on the swing that her
cousin had put up.
"I adopted her," Sam whispered checking that Anne was out of
earshot.
"You what?" Shirley whispered back.
"I adopted her yesterday. I found her sitting on the road going into
town and she seemed happy to have company. Fred said that they had a
nice friendly chat and that she seemed hopeful that she could stay with
us." Sam said a bit louder as he saw Joy taking Anne into the Ashton's
garden to meet Matthew and Gil.
"Well, I suppose Joy could adopt her from us in a year's time because
she is more likely to know how to handle a child properly."
At this moment Anne burst into the door.
"Hello again Anne. This is Shirley, my sister." Sam said.
"Hello Miss Taylor. How are you?" Anne asked quite taken aback at the
bracelet that Shirley was wearing.
"Hello Anne. Do you know about your adoption?"
"No!" Anne exclaimed looking very surprised.
"Well, I have decided to agree but, only if you behave yourself."
Shirley warned Anne.
"I promise I'll be as good as good can be."
With this news Anne went outside to tell Joy who ran inside with an
aghast look on her face.
"We thought maybe you could adopt her after your next birthday as you
will be legally old enough by then." Sam whispered into Joy's ear so
that Anne could not hear.
"OK then, I agree to that." Joy said still taken aback at Shirley's
decision.
Joy took Anne back to Matthew and Gil to introduce them properly.
"Anne this is Gil, my best friend for miles. You, me and him are going
to go over to Ontario to see our friend, Marigold who is expecting a
baby at any moment. She wants us to be there and she said she doesn't
mind if another person comes along too.
This is Matthew. He will accompany you to school after the long
vacation is over." Joy explained.
Anne, very quickly took in all the information that Joy was giving
her.
"So I'll be going over to Ontario. That's where my grandma was born."
Anne shouted as she ran to catch the ball that Gil had thrown to
her.
"Yes, that's right. You, me and Joy. Marigold is very nice. She was
born here and was really upset when her husband announced that his work
was making him go and live in Ontario to become a manager of the same
company there. She said to me and Joy that she would never forget us.
Of course she wouldn't be able to because we just load her up with
letters about college. She asked Joy if she could still be a bridesmaid
at her wedding although she is married." Gil explained as he ran to the
gate to make sure that Jessi didn't escape into the donkey's
field.
"Unfortunately, she hasn't got anyone to get married to yet!" Matthew
chuckled. His smile faded as Gil turned and gave him the look that
means ' be quiet boy, that isn't funny '.
Joy, Gil, Matthew and Anne continued playing with the ball for about
thirty minutes coming up with new games every now and again. When they
had finished Shirley came over to announce that the Ashtons were to
come over and have lunch with them.
So they all went over to the house and sat down at the table. Jessi,
sitting next to Joy's chair looking up at her with the expression that
says 'I want some of your chicken'. As Joy was in a good mood she gave
Jessi some chicken. Anne, who had already finished eating watched
everyone eat.