SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…

By Mallory Quinn

Chapter 1

"If London was relate to me…"

Thecoach arrived at the harbour at Southampton and had barely stopped when Candy jumped out and ran as fast as she could.

- The boat to America? She asked a man.

- Over there Miss, he said showing her the boat that had just left.

Candy's world came crashing down around her. She missed him! She missed Terry! She felt her heart breaking into a thousand pieces. She loved Terry and he had left her. She ran to the harbour making her way among the people there who were waving to their love ones on the parting boat. She arrived at the front and started making big sings with her arms.

- TERRY!TERRYYYYYYYYYYY! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! TERRYYYYYYYYYY.

- Freckles? You love me!

Candy turned around like in a dream, and to her big surprise, she saw Terry standing in front of her. She didn't miss him after all! The boy she loved with all her heart was standing in front off her. Without thinking, she jumped to his neck and he held her in his arms. Terry smelled the fresh scent of her beautiful blond and curly hair. He never thought he'd see her so soon. He missed her so much already! He hadn't seen her since the punishment. Candy couldn't believe her luck. She was with Terry! After all those days passed in the dungeon, locked up alone and especially without Terry! She felt the strength of his arms around her and was savouring every moment. The moment of surprised passed, Candy suddenly remembered why she was there. He had left! He had left her a note, a "dear Jane letter" as a good bye! She was suddenly angry. She stopped hugging him and started hitting him repeatedly on the chest.

- How dare you! How dare you leave me in that cold and brittle college! How could you have thought that I would stay there without you? "A dear Jane letter"…?

- Candy, I… but…you were going to be expe….

He couldn't place a word in her tirade, she was continued hitting him on the chest and complaining. Terry took both of her hands so she'll stop hitting him and put his lips on hers so she'll stop talking. Candy was completely thrown by the kiss. The second one he stole from her, to make her shut up of course, but not without passion. This time she won't slap him, she closed her eyes and responded to the kiss ardently. She forgot her complaining; those delicious sensations she felt were enough. Terry let go of her hands and she put them around his neck.

The people around them were smiling and started clapping their hands. Most of them saw what happened from the beginning; Candy's arrival by coach, her running to the harbour, her big declaration of love, their reunion, their little fight and finally the kiss. Our two love birds were so caught up by their passion, that they didn't hear the applauds in the beginning. They stopped when they realized they had an audience.

- Looks like we have an audience said Terry.

- Well you want to become an actor, this is a rehearsal she said smiling.

- I love you too, Terry said. Let's go somewhere more discreet, far from the people's the eyes and ears.

A part of the crowd said "Aww" disappointed and another part was still laughing. Candy and Terry walked towards an inn not too far from there. They got in and when to sit at a table near a window and they ordered a breakfast for two. While they were waiting for the food, Terry finally asked;

- Ok, Candy, what are you doing here?

- I followed you.

- No kidding. Why?

- I can't stay in college without you.

- But I left so you wouldn't be expelled …

- Thank you. I'd rather be expelled, I assure you. I want to go back to America with you.

Aside in his wildest dreams, Terry never thought he'd hear Candy pronounce those words. She wanted to come with him! His sacrifice was pointless, because Candy had left the college anyway.

- Your sacrifice was pointless she said like she'd heard what he was thinking. Albert went to pursue his dreams too. Tell me what will the college bring me?

- Euh… you'll become a lady?

- And what will that bring me? To be elegant at receptions and diners? Not for me! I want more from life.

Terry looked at her with fascination. He liked her strong character. She wanted to do something of her life. He was secretly proud of her.

- Ok, Freckles, you've convinced me. You don't know how happy I am that you're here with me! But if my father knew where I was…

- Oh, I wouldn't worry about that if I were you…

- What do you mean?

- I mean, that I took care of it…

- How!

- I told him, to let you pursue your dreams, I think he listened…

At that moment, the servers brought them their breakfast and they started to eat.

- Terry did you miss the boat to America? Your note said you were leaving at dawn today…

- I couldn't find a ticket, fortunately, otherwise, you would've missed me; we'll have to wait two weeks…

- Two weeks? She said with a thinking face, I'll have to find a job.

- A job? But I have enough money for the both of us. You don't need a job… For now at least, because I'm sure my father is going to cut me off, if it's not already done…

- So let's take advantage of our free time! Two weeks to spend in London! But, by the way, can you find me a room for rent?

- I have one in this inn. You want to share it? He joked.

- Terrence Grandchester! She said imitating Sister Grey, certainly you're not suggesting that I share your room without being legally yours?

- Of course not! I'm a gentleman, Miss Freckles! He said in the same teasing tone. We'll see if there's a room here, ok?

Terry knew that if he found himself in the same room as Candy, he'll need all the strength of the world to resist to the attraction he had towards her. They finished their breakfast and asked the innkeeper if she had another vacant room.

- Yes of course! You're lucky said the chubby little woman, it's the last one. It's a few doors away from Mr. Grandchester's.

Terry took the key and took Candy to her room with her bag. She took a shower and changed. No more strict uniforms or the hard discipline of St. Paul College. She could now wear whatever she wanted and nobody could tell her the contrary. Terry was waiting for her outside. They took a coach together and went to the centre of London. They found themselves at a flea market. They were selling everything, old and new, dishes, statues, jewels, clothes etc. They were looking at old jewels when Terry saw a nice gold bracelet he liked a lot. He decided to buy it for Candy. He bargained with the vendor for a while and they finally agreed on a price and he bought the bracelet and gave it immediately to Candy.

- There, this is for you he said, for your non-deserved punishment.

- Thank you, Terry. I'll wear it with pride. It's very beautiful.

She put it on her wrist right away.

- Your American friend is very lucky said the vendor. Cheers!

- Cheers! Said Candy and Terry at the same time.

They arrived at Hyde Park while talking about everything and nothing. Terry had to go to the bank to see how his father left his finances.

- You can wait for me here he said to Candy, banks are so boring. I'll find you here when I'm done, Ok? He said kissing her on the forehead. See you later! In about half an hour!

- Ok, I'll wait for you here.

Terry left and Candy was looking at the some kids who were playing from not too far from where she was sitting. There was a group of little children bout six years old, boys and girls in uniform; grey skirts and pants, white shirts and navy bleu jumpers. They were speaking French. Probably kids from the French School Candy thought. The boys were playing ball and the girls were playing hopscotch. Another group of children were singing and playing hand games. The students were accompanied by two teachers; a young nun and another woman a little older, in her thirties. They sat on a bench not too far from where Candy was sitting. The children seemed so happy. They certainly had a mother and a father Candy thought, who took care of their needs. A sudden sadness came to her, she thought of the family she'll never know. How was her mother? Her father? Did she have her mother's eyes or her father's? Why was she abandoned? Those sad thoughts were interrupted by the cries of a little girl who fell on the ground and hurt her knee. Candy ran to her.

- Come on, don't cry. It's going to be okay.

She took an handkerchief from her purse and started cleaning the little girls wound. She then took her to the two teachers who didn't see what happened.

- Excuse-me said Candy, the little one hurt herself.

- Oh! said the nun. Thank you very much Miss. God bless you!

- She was nice, the lady said the little girl.

- Oh, it's nothing; I was a real tomboy and believe me I know about scratches.

- You're American? Asked the nun.

- Yes, I'm going back to America with my boyfriend.

- You're living together? Asked the nun.

- We have separate bedrooms in an inn, Candy said.

- Sister Josephine, leave the young lady alone. Her way of life is none of our business. Stop lecturing everybody said the other teacher. I bet you didn't even introduce yourself before starting your sermon. Good morning she said to Candy, my name is Felicity Smith and this is Sister Josephine.

- Candice White Andrew, you can call me Candy. Pleased to meet you.

- Pleased to meet you said the two ladies at the same time.

- Shouldn't you be at school? Asked Sister Josephine.

- Sister Josephine… said Felicity with a reproach tone.

Candy told them what had happened at St. Paul college; how Terry sacrificed himself and their reunion.

- This young man must love you a lot said Miss Smith.

- You should get married so you won't succumb to temptation said Sister Josephine.

- Sister Josephine, stop it with your sermons!

Candy smiled and thought about Miss Pony and Sister Maria. She was eager to see them again. She maybe had no biological family, but Miss Pony and Sister Maria were very maternal with her.

The little girl who hurt herself- her name was Amélie - called her to play ball with the other kids. So she was running and laughing with the playing children.

A young man with blond hair was passing by the park and was looking at Candy playing with the children. His heart jumped in his chest.

"Wouldn't that be …? No, what am I saying? She's probably still in Australia."

He came closer and saw something shining on the young lady's arm. The gold bracelet!

"It's her! He said to himself"

And he ran towards the young lady who was in the middle of children who were screaming and laughing.

- Georgie? Called the young blond man.

Since Candy wasn't answering, she had her back turned, and she was continuing playing and laughing with the little ones.

- Georgie! Called the young man again, don't you hear me ? It's me, Laurent.

Candy finally turned around and saw a handsome blond man very well dressed who was looking at her smiling. But his smile faded when he saw that she wasn't Georgie.

- Oh, excuse me he said confused, I took you for someone else.

- It's nothing said Candy smiling, I'm Candy.

- Laurent. Excuse-me if I've frightened you, but you look a lot like her, the same colour of eyes and hair, the same gold bracelet…

- The bracelet? My boy friend just bought it for me at the flea market.

- It's Georgie's bracelet. She must have sold it in a moment of financial difficulty. It's quite unique…

- You want me to give it to you? Candy asked with her usual generosity.

- No, it's yours now. Keep it preciously. Goodbye

- Goodbye.

And he left without asking anymore question. Candy was a little puzzled by the incident. Who was Georgie? Was it really her bracelet that Terry had just bought for her? Did she really look like her? All those questions had had to wait, because the children were calling her back to play.

Terrence Grandchester entered the Lloyd's National Bank and asked to see the manager. He wanted to know if his father had cut him off. He had a little money his grandfather had left him, but he could access it only at his majority; which meant only in about a year. He wanted to make arrangement with the bank so he could get the money in America when the time comes. The bank manager greeted him warmly.

- Good morning, Sir said Terry.

- Good morning, Mr. Grandchester! Roger Thornhart he said handing his right hand, what a pleasure to meet you. Our bank has been doing business with your family for years. Your father was here this morning and left an envelope for you, in case you passed here.

He gave Terry a yellow envelope. Terry took the envelope and opened it. He found a cheque in his name for an exorbitant amount and a note from his father.

My dear son,

I'm letting you follow your dreams. Your girlfriend convinced me to leave

you alone. Here's a little something to help you leave until you find a way

to support yourself.

I hope your dreams are going to come true. And don't forget to come back

To fulfill your duty. The door will always be opened for you.

Good luck,

Your father,

Richard Grandchester

Terry couldn't believe his eyes! The money his father had left him was more than enough for him to get an apartment and find a job in a theatre in America. Why America? Why not England? He wanted unconsciously be near his mother. Candy! She was able to persuade his father! Her goodness was contagious! He thanked the manager and left the bank after making the necessary arrangements. He forgot about his initial project, he didn't need it anymore. He was walking on the street and passed in front of a jewellery store. He got in and went where the engagement rings and wedding bands. He was looking at the engagement rings when he heard a young lady talking.

- Are you sure it was sold? Can you check? Asked the young lady.

Terry turned around and saw a young lady from behind, long blond curly hair and his heart jumped in his chest. He came close to her.

- Candy? He said, I told you to wait for me at the park…

The young lady turned around and Terry stopped his speech.

- Excuse-me, he said confused, you look so much like my girlfriend!

- Isn't she lucky! Said the young woman. My name is Georgie.

- Terry. I'm sorry for the confusion.

- No problem.

Terry went back to where the rings were. The vendor was there and he bought an engagement ring and wedding bands. Eliza's trap thought him not to take anything for granted anymore. He swore that nothing or anyone would separate him from Candy this time. Not Eliza, no one. He left the jewellery store and went back to the park. He took more time than he initially thought. He arrived at the park and saw his Miss freckles playing joyfully with a group of children. He smiled; she bought joy every where she passed. He got closer and saw the two teachers talking about Candy.

- She is full of joy of life said Miss Smith.

- I hope her young man will marry her before doing anything…

- Enough! Sister Josephine. That's not your problem.

- But…

- Hum hum, Terry said to show his presence. Candy! He cried.

In the middle of all the creams of the children, she heard the voice of her beloved.

- Terry, you're back! She said happily.

- You're having fun, without me I see, he joked.

- I had to pass my time!

She went near him and kissed him on the cheek. The children did and "Ouuuu!" and the two teachers looked at them smiling. Candy's boyfriend was there.

- Terry, this is the 1st grade class of the French school and their teachers, Sister Josephine and Miss Felicity Smith.

- Hello, he said

- Hello! Said the others.

- You make a cute couple said Miss Smith.

- Thank you. We have to go said Terry to Candy.

- We have to go too, kids said Miss Smith, come on everybody on line!

The children made an "awww" disappointed, and they lined up almost against their will. They said goodbye and left the park in opposite directions. Terry took Candy window shopping until lunch time. They went to eat in a little restaurant in the centre of London. While they were eating, Candy finally asked how it went at the bank.

- Very well, thank you. It's because of you.

- Because of me?

- Yes. The conversation you had with my father…

- Yes?

- It worked more than you thought it would

- I still don't understand.

- You're my guardian angel, freckles. My father not only gave me his blessing, but enough money to live on until I found a job in a theatre.

- Wow! Good for you!

- Good for us you mean! I can support you now!

- But Terry, I don't want you to support me; I want to do something with my life.

- Do you know what you want to do?

- Albert wrote me that in Africa, one of the nurses made him think of me. Maybe I'll go to nursing school.

- Ok. I don't want to stop you in the pursuit of your dreams. As soon as we get to the Pony house. I want to see where you were brought up, meet your two mothers and the children you talked about so much.

- And you'll finally see my real Pony hill!

They finished their meal talking about random things. They were together and feeling so good. Terry took her on a tour of the city. They saw the Queen's palace, Buckingham, the tower bridge, le Big Ben and the house of parliament, the wax museum, Madame Tussaud etc. They went back to the inn, tired and just in time for dinner. The innkeeper served them diner. After diner, Terry suggested they go to a pub. They went to a pub not too far from the inn. The music was loud, some people were talking, some were drinking and some were dancing. Candy and Terry had a drink and started dancing. While they were sitting at their table, a young woman came to them and gave them a piece of paper that talked about a ball that was to happen in two days, they were looking for waiters and waitresses.

- I can use my name to get us some invitation if you want Terry said.

- Why not? It could be fun. Candy said. Excuse-me I need to go powder my nose.

She was walking toward the ladies' room, when a man stopped her.

- Georgie, put on your uniform quickly, we've got a full house today.

- Excuse me, but you must be mistaking…

- Come on Georgie, stop fooling around…but… I'm sorry.

The light wasn't very bright, but the man saw that she wasn't Georgie. Candy remained pensive. It was the second time of the day they mistaken her for Georgie. She was longing to see her. She finished her business and went to Terry who was waiting for her at the door. While they were walking to the inn, Terry saw that Candy was a little silent and pensive.

- Are you ok freckles?

- Hum hum. I was thinking about something weird that happened to me today.

- Really? What!

- When I was in the park playing with the children, a blond young man very well dressed…

- You didn't loose any time I see…

- I'm serious Terry. He came to me and called me "Georgie."

- "Georgie"?

- Yes. He said I looked like her and I was wearing the same bracelet as her.

- It's true, you look like her…

- What? How do you know that? You know Georgie? You saw her?

- Yes, and thought it was you.

- What? You confused us too? Does she really look like me?

- Yes, I saw her from behind, in a jewellery store, she has the same curly blond hair, the same green eyes, but the Australian accent should have told me that it wasn't you. She was looking for a gold bracelet that she wanted to re-buy… wait a minute, the man said that the bracelet I bought for you was the same as Georgie's?

- He said it was unique in it's kind.

- Talk about a coincidence!

- I would like to meet this Georgie.

- Your paths will cross, you'll see.

- What were you doing in a jewellery store?

- I was looking at some jewels…

- Oh. Of course.

Terry was happy she didn't insist. The engagement ring was suppose to be a surprise. Candy was anyway to preoccupied with the Georgie business to continue the conversation. Terry held tight in his arms. He knew that Candy wanted Georgie to be that family member she never knew. But he didn't want to say anything so she won't be discouraged if it doesn't pan out. Candy was thinking the same thing and didn't want to say it out loud; she didn't want to jinx it.

When they arrived in front of Candy's room, Terry gave her a kiss on the forehead. He said good night to her and started to walk towards his room. Candy was stunned. She wanted Terry to kiss her… since their kiss in front of everybody that morning; she wanted him to kiss her again.

- Terry?

He turned around and was surprised to see her still standing there in the hallway.

- Yes?

- If I promise not to slap you, can you kiss me?

No need to tell him twice. He came back on his steps, took the young girl in his arms and kissed her with passion. An endless kiss, which took Candy into a turmoil of passion, delights and exquisite sensations, confused and intoxicating dizziness. When they finally stopped, Candy was on a cloud.

- Good night Miss Tarzan.

- Good night Terry.

She went to her room still intoxicated by the effects of the kiss. She changed, say her payers and went to bed. She closed her eyes as soon as her head hit the pillow. The day since her running away from the college at dawn, to the pub with Terry had completely worn her out.