Draw me a ball
Chapter 9
"The harmonica"
For Terry and Joshua, during their tour, everything went well. They had won all their games for the qualifications.
- Congratulations team! Said Terry, we're going back to London tomorrow. You're free today and then you 'll have 3 days off before training starts again!
- Thanks coach! Said the players
- We're free! I'd like to do some shopping for my orphanage, said Joshua
- I don't feel like going shopping said one of the players
- Well, I'll come with you, said Terry
- Really? Said Joshua surprised
- I'm going to take advantage of the time to keep an eye on you, don't forget, I'm your guardian…
- That's something I'm never going to forget, said Joshua smiling, let's go coach!
They left the hotel together laughing and talking.
- I can't believe how much the coach is controlling him! Said one
- Well, he's his guardian, he's taking his job seriously, said another player
- I have to admit that I'm surprised, said another player, I heard he was a daddy's boy who was just having fun with his dad's money who was duke, and did him a favour by getting him a job taking care of the national team.
- Well, he was a player himself and he knows his job… h's training us well, we got qualified!
- Yes, the sponsors are happy! Let's go cash our cheques! Said another player
- Yes, and presents are in our rooms, said another player! We're going to celebrate our victory!
- Not too loud, said another player, let's go!
The players went to their room to see their presents, and they went to the back to cash their cheques and call their financial adviser to invest their money well… They were envious of little Joshua who had the Grandchesters taking care of his money the right way. And the teen wasn't spending his money; he was living with the coach who was paying for everything he wanted! Some people were born with all the luck!
As a matter of fact, Joshua had bought lots of presents for the children of the orphanage and he was getting ready to get his bank card to pay, when Terry told him:
- I'll take care of it, Joshua
- No, coach, it's not necessary. I can do it!
- I'm making you a gift, buddy…
- Ah…, said Joshua smiling, that's really nice of you, coach!
- To compensate you for the job well done on your school work and your good game on the field…
- There's nothing for nothing in this world, right?
- Josh, said Terry, I seriously think about getting the woman I love back and I would like you to be a family with us…
- You're sure she's going to like me?
- I know her better than anybody, she's goodness incarnate… you're going to get along well, you'll see!
- I trust you, Terry… let's go send all this to America…
That's what they did. Then Joshua called his financial adviser at Grandchester Enterprises to tell them to send some money to his orphanage. The women who took care of the orphanage, prayed and blessed their former boarder for his generosity.
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Candy was spending time going to receptions and charity galas. She was trying to go to those sports events so she could meet players who would be able to give her some information on the young man who was in England to play football…
She had, by the same occasion had to brush off a lot of men who wanted to date her in exchange for their services, non existent, just to get her in their bed.
She se was getting the list of the all social receptions of London's High society, she was going to receptions and also to medical events and conferences. You learn something new everyday. Then she would take advantage to make some acquaintance in the medical field, in case she had to stay longer in England, she would have to look for a job… She didn't need money, but she wanted to work after a while, to be useful… She prayed every nights to find her offspring…
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Archie was talking to Albert over the phone…
- She's in London…
- Is everything all right?
- Yes, we send her the list of the local receptions so she can distract herself, at the same time during her research…
- Do you know if she found him?
- According to what Annie says, when I eavesdrop on her conversation with Candy, it's yes, Albert…
- I want her to be happy, if he makes her happy…especially if they have child together…
- But you could've made her happy too…
- Yes, but I handled it wrong… unfortunately… that's all in the past! I have to move on.
- I'm sorry for you, that's all…
- You want to say, that you'd rather have me instead of Grandchester, right?
- Every time he called her "Gidget" and she was calling him "Moondoggie" I felt like dying! Said Archie
- Well, they were the perfect couple!
- Don't tell me about it! I was waiting for them to break up and ruin everything, but he always managed to do everything to stay with her…
- Archie, they're destined to be together. They 're going to find their son and make the family that was ripped from them…
- I'm sorry Albert…
When he hung up the phone, his wife was looking at him.
- You eavesdrop on my conversations with Candy? You can ask me, and I will answer you, you know that right?
- Sorry, honey, said Archie
- You do know that when she finds her son, she's going ot tell "Moondoggie" and they're going to be back together…
- I'm sure that's all he's waiting for…
- They were happy together, until your families came and mess them up!
- They were too young!
- They knew what they wanted! They even had a child on the way…
- But she didn't know that when they separated…
- You have to admit that your family and the duke's family made a big mess!
- I'm still having issues finding out what happened next…
- There's no rush and Candy is already in London and she's having a lot of fun in all those
receptions… I know that the fact that Terry is also in London bothers you, but you can't do anything about it! Let destiny act…
- She could've been happy with Albert…
- Well, it was written that he wasn't going to make her happy… how is he?
- Well, he's wandering, as usual…
- If he hadn't wandered so much and took better care of Candy, he could've helped her and the Leagan wouldn't have stolen her baby…
- With "what ifs…", said Archie
- Well, for the moment, you can make up for it by getting all the information she needs to find her son…
She looked at her husband…
- I know that you wished it was Albert, but, oh well! Things are what they are!
Archie didn't answer. He had wished it was Albert… after Anthony's death, he had hoped he would replace him, but she had met that damn son of the duke during her trip to England… So he had to watch his dreams going up in smoke! He remembered the scene in school… he was always seeing Candy and Terry talking from afar, but that day, it was like the universe wanted to mke him understand that he couldn't hope being with Candy anymore…
He had heard voices and his heart had exploded in his chest into a thousand pieces…
- What are you doing there, Terrence Grandchester? The voice was saying imitating the reverend mother
- Oh Gidget! It's you! You almost scared me! I really thought it was the reverend mother! You have some imitating talents in store!
- Imitating? Said Candy laughing
- If one day, you need a job…
- I'm not going to become an imitator, Moondoggie!
- That's a shame, Gidget! I could imagine you on stage already
- You don't miss one, don't you!?
Then, there was a silence and he heard Candy's voice saying:
- Here you go!
- What's that?
- An harmonica! It's my favourite instrument…
- And you're giving it to me because…?
- If you feel like smoking, you could play a tune instead…
- Instead of smoking? I see…you've played this instrument?
- Yes, I told you, it was my favourite…
- So by giving it to me, you want to kiss me indirectly…
- Oh you! Said Candy pushing him away, you're impossible!
- Since when can't we joke around? Sit down, I'm going to play a tune!
- Oh you, we never know what to expect with you…
He stared playing the harmonica and then the bell rang…
- I have to go back to class, see you later Moondoggie!
- Goodbye Gidget…
He couldn't take the scene any longer… he followed Candy…
- Candy, he said angry
- Archie, she said smiling, is everything all right?
- Not really…
- What's wrong?
- Well, I saw you with the son of the … duke!
- Really? So what?
- Well, I wanted to speak to you since Chicago… I even thought you would've understood…
- Understood what Archie? Asked Candy innocently
- Well…
- STOP IT!
It was Annie's voice in tears,
- STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!
- Annie! Said Candy surprised
As an answer, she gave the package she had in her hands to Archie, handkerchief she had made for him and she ran away from there, after yelling at Candy something showing that they 've been together at the orphanage… a storm had started… Archie had found Annie… he had promised Candy to take care of her from that moment on… he had agreed because he was in love with her and he wanted to make her happy.
But by accepting that deal, he knew she will never be his… he ended up loving Annie… and he was happy with her. Knowing that Candy was with Albert , his uncle, was a little consolation… but that also went up in smoke…
- Well, let's pray Candy is finally happy, this time around, said Archie
His wife looked at him, she knew what Candy had done for her and she was grateful. She hugged her husband with love.
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The team was back and they had a reception to celebrate their qualification for the world cup. But it was in the evening, Terry didn't want Joshua to stay up late…
- It doesn't bother you, to miss the party?
- Of course not, I don't need to drink alcohol, I need to rest…
- The reception is going to be during the day, you'll be able to come to that one…
- Don't worry Terry, everything is going to be fine. I'm going to spend the evening with Edward, everything is going to be fine!
- Very well, said Terry, but no craziness…
- I'm always a good boy Terry, you know that, right?
Terry went to the reception , he called Candy who had told her she was going to be at the reception. He had a date… He had seen her right away when he arrived, She was surrounded by men who were trying to spend the evening with her.
- Gentlemen, said Candy smiling, congratulations on your qualification!
- A woman, who knows her football, that's not common, said a player
- Well, I also play football, said Candy
- An your American? You like soccer? Come on!
- Well, I also went to school here in London. Boarding school, said Candy
- Really? Said another player, I bet you were dating the captain of the football team
- How did you guess? Said Candy smiling
- Hey, I heard the coach was also the captain of his football team in school, said another player
- We could ask him if he knows her, said another player, he's coming…
As matter of fact, Terry wearing a black suit and a white shirt with a bowtie. He was very handsome and very elegant. He arrived near them after stopping to say hello to some people on his way…
- Good evening everybody, he said
- Coach? Where's your protégé? Asked a player
- In bed, like you should've been, said Terry seriously
- Come on coach, we have a few days off, you could've brought the little one!
- The little one, is my business, said Terry, not yours and I decide when he gets the right to have fun, not you!
- Good evening, Said Candy smiling
- Good evening, Gidget. My team is taking good care of you?
- They're gentlemen, said Candy smiling
- Good! Thank you guys for keeping her company
- You're welcome coach, said the players
- Gidget, he said hugging her, it's so good to see you again! Let's go get something to eat! Excuse us, guys…
He walked away with Candy at his arm and they walked to the buffet… the other players were disappointed, they thought they had found a flaky girl for a gang bang during the party, but the coach just ruined their plans… As a matter of fact, he didn't leave Candy for a second… The player had not other choice than to look for another working girl at that kind of party looking for her next prey…
While they were eating at their table, Terry called his protégé…
- You're already in your room, I hope, said Terry
- Yes coach, we're done playing, I'm in my room.
- Great!
- What about you? Did you find her?
- Yes…
- Great! He said repeating Terry's words
- Good night buddy!
- Don't come back too late!
- Hey! Who's the grown up here?
- You don't want me to answer that, don't you coach? How's the team?
- They're having fun…
- They deserve it, they worked hard!
- Like you! As a matter of fact! See you tomorrow buddy!
- See you tomorrow Terry.
Candy was looking at him smiling.
- What? He asked
- Nothing. You're behaving like a father with your protégé…
- If they had left us alone, we would've had our own family…
- Terry…
- Candy, for me, it's an incredible chance to have met you just when I'm taking a young boy in charge…
- What do you mean?
- I mean, why don't we make the family that was ripped from us?
- Euh… just like that?
- Well, no, you can think about it…
- I also have some unfinished business
- There's no problem without a solution, my pretty one…
- Oh Terry! Said Candy who wanted to tell him everything, but it was too soon for the moment.
- You will have to meet my protégé soon…
- All right, said Candy, and I have to tell you about my business…
- And you also have have to see my father…
- Again?
- Yes, again, we're grown ups now, we're no longer teenager on the run…
- If only, they had left us alone…
- Even without any money, said Terry, we would've managed…
- But with "what ifs…"
- You want to come for a ride in my car with me? Asked Terry
- All right…
They had left the party, when they finished eating to go for a ride… they went to dance in a nightclub for a while… they had fun like crazy, forgetting their lives during that evening…
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At dawn, when Candy went to her room after Terry had dropped her off, she couldn't help thinking about the past… Life was so unfair! Living in the house of hell was a struggle she thought about not surviving sometimes… She thought about an incident in particular…
One fine day, the Leagan brats were still trying to get rid of Candy… there was an incomprehensible episode, Daniel was hit and he had lost consciousness… Of course when his sister told him to say it was Candy the culprit, so that she would get sent back to her orphanage…
Candy went to play football with her team at her public school…She went back to the Leagan manor and she was summoned in the stables… A main came to get her.
- Miss Candy, Mrs. Leagan has summoned you in the stables
- All right, said Candy
She changed her clothes and went to the stables where Mrs. Leagan was…
- You've called me Mrs. Leagan? She said when she arrived
- Candy, Daniel said you hit him …
Candy couldn't believe her ears. What was that about? What was going on again?
- I beg your pardon?
- Daniel said you hit him…
- Me? I don't know what you're talking about…
- She's a liar! Said Eliza, he even lost consciousness!
- Daniel is stronger and taller than me, I can't be strong enough to hit him so that he could lose consciousness
- Candy, I'm not going to tolerate that kind of behaviour coming from you!
- But it's not true! Said Candy outraged
- It was you! Said Neil cowardly, you hit me…
But he didn't dare look at Candy in the eyes…
- It wasn't me! Said Candy running from there.
She had gone to look for Mr. Albert, because he suspected it was him who had hit Daniel to prevent him from hurting the horses… She thought she had seen someone running from the stables earlier… She had found Mr. Albert who had introduced her to his animals… When she thought about it, Candy got upset… he had protected the horse, but he wasn't able to protect her!
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