CHAPTER 9

"I am glad we can finally have a short break, Albert" said George "all this travelling the past few months has been exhausting. Shall I pour you a drink" he said, filling up his own glass with a fine brandy.

The two men were sitting in the large living room in front of a roaring fire.

"Yes, George, thanks, a small one, I think I could do with a drink. You are absolutely right, we definitely deserve a rest. Though, in fairness, these last couple of trips have been highly productive" answered Albert.

"You did a great job in closing out the deal in Canada, I was very impressed" said George truthfully. Albert laughed.

"Well, I don't know about that, we will have to wait and see, there is still some work to be done on that one" he said taking a swig of his drink. "But anyway, it is the holidays now, thank God, so for the next few days I plan to relax and forget all about work" he continued.

"And rightly so!" agreed George "I actually look forward to spending Christmas at Pony's Hill, it is such a happy and peaceful environment up there in the mountains; Miss Pony and Sister Mary are truly fine ladies and the children are very endearing. It was an excellent idea of yours to suggest it, Albert."

"Hmm, I look forward to it myself, the thought of being closed up with my dear Aunt Elroy for the whole of the holiday season was a bit too much" Albert chuckled.

"You will also see Candy again soon" said George.

Albert's expression changed almost imperceptibly, but George knew him too well; he looked at him carefully. "You must have missed her, you haven't seen her since late summer" he continued.

"Albert?" he asked seeing that his friend was slow to respond, as if he had just realised how soon he would be seeing her again.

Albert took a deep breath "yes, I have missed her, of course I have. More than I would want to, certainly more than I care to admit... there hasn't been a single day she hasn't come into my mind... but..." he hesitated.

George hesitated too. He knew that Albert's feelings for Candy were very strong and had only become stronger during the period the two of them had lived together. He had also realised something he wasn't sure Albert himself was ready to accept. The men sat in silence for a few moments staring into the fire.

Then George decided to broach the subject head on, Albert was not a man to fool around with...

"You are in love with her, Albert, aren't you" he said openly, his concerned eyes fixed on Albert.

Albert swirled his glass slowly and looked at the amber liquid tracing a wave pattern around the glass surface as though he needed something to concentrate on before he could answer. When he did look up at George, his eyes were sad, his face showing signs of tiredness that had nothing to with his recent busy schedule.

"In love..." he started slowly punctuating each word. "Now that is something I had not thought of for a while... you know... after Chiara..." he swallowed another sip of his drink.

"When I am with Candy, I feel... I feel alive, I feel full of energy, I feel I can dream again, that the future can be wonderful. She makes me laugh, her smile, the sound of her voice, her childlike expressions..." he paused.

"She obviously means a lot to you" said George quietly.

"I sometimes feel that the time we spend living together was the happiest of my entire life... but I had amnesia, George, for pity's sake, I didn't know who she was, or who I was for that matter..." he grimaced.

"Hmm, yes, that's true, but perhaps that gave you the chance to be free from the restrictions placed upon you because of her adoption, you got to know each other better; and whatever it is you are feeling now must be something to cherish... why are you fighting your feelings so hard Albert" said George enquiringly.

Albert threw his head back and sighed deeply.

"Why indeed... all I want to do is hold her, listen to her, spend time together... I want to be with her, I think I need to have her around me..."

"...but I can't..." he said simply. "I can't because she is probably still in love with Terry and she is away at the orphanage and don't get me wrong, I am glad she is there, but the few letters we exchanged recently gave me no hope that perhaps she sees me differently... and oh, I almost forgot, she is still very much my adopted daughter" he said with a bitter laugh.

George was listening intensely. He could not remember the last time Albert had been so dejected.

He is so good at hiding his feelings, he thought. Totally focussed on his work, impeccably professional, the embodiment of eloquence and charisma in all these endless meetings, strict about keeping up with his fitness regime, making time to stay involved in charity work, reading avidly... basically keeping his mind as occupied as one can to avoid thinking of anything painful. He decided to speak to this tormented young man for whom he cared so deeply, to speak to him and try to help him see that it is possible that true love can conquer all...

"Albert... try and keep things in perspective my friend, please try. First of all, you don't know how Candy feels about you, I mean other than the deep friendship that you two have shared for years. My impression is that perhaps you are mistaken in your assumption that she sees you only as a friend, but I am sure that this is something that the two of you can discuss and discover about one another.

Albert looked at him doubtfully but didn't say anything.

"Now, regarding the adoption, that took place many years ago and under completely different circumstances. I don't think you know how much gratitude Candy has always shown to her beloved Uncle William; your kindness gave a poor child with few prospects in life the opportunity to grow in a relatively sheltered environment, to travel, to get an education and be now in a position to support herself. So frankly, if the adoption is the only obstacle in you expressing your true feelings to her, then you should not worry, that can always be annulled. And in any case she is old enough now and doesn't need a guardian, don't you agree?" he asked.

Albert sighed. "I am so scared she is going to come to me some day and ask me to be free of the Ardlay name... I know she hates it, I know she has terrible memories of what those dastardly Rangans did to her. And my Aunt did not exactly go out of her way to support her... what if she does that, am I going to see her again or will we gradually drift apart, both caught up in our busy lives... I don't know if I could bear it, George" he said.

"It's only a week before I see her again and already I am going crazy, I can't wait, I am excited and terrified at the same time, will she be happy to see me, did she miss me, does she love me at all, is there any point in hoping and hoping and waiting..." his voice broke.

George got up and put his hand on Albert's shoulder.

"Albert, my dear friend... I am not the one to be giving other people advice, but if you really love her, don't let her go. Listen to me, there is nothing to stop you two from being together and my instinct tells me that Candy already loves you very much. I have seen the two of you together Albert, there is a special harmony between you, you complement each other so well... Make things work Albert. If you feel you have found the woman of your dreams, then fight for her! Don't let her slip away... like I did..." he left his sentence unfinished.

He walked slowly towards the window. The snow was falling thick outside, the garden was hardly visible. Albert turned up to look at him, he could only see his profile. George was silent, his face momentarily contorted by sad memories.

He still remembers, Albert thought. He still remembers Rosemary and how much he loved her, and how he suffered when he lost her. I miss you too Rosemary, how I wish you were still here, I wish I could talk to you...

Albert got up and reached his friend.

"George... thank you. I don't know what I am going to do, but it helped to have someone to talk to. Women eh!" said Albert and smiled.

George smiled too. "Albert, I know it must feel like you are at the bottom of the abyss sometimes, but trust me, you two are absolutely made for each other. You may not see it, but it is so obvious to everyone around you. I am certain that it's only a matter of time before you are finally together, you'll see. And then, we will all have an enjoyable time, dealing with your dear Aunt's reaction!" he winked at Albert.

That was all that was needed to help them regain their good mood - both men burst out laughing; and they were still chuckling on their way to their respective bedrooms.

***

"Candy, this is a truly great party, the children have done you proud", said Archie.

"We are delighted to be here, thank you Candy and please, accept our most heartfelt congratulations" said Annie.

"If there is one couple who have proved conclusively that true love lasts forever, then it has to be the two of you. Look at Albert, he has hardly changed over all these years, just look at him, his face simply shines when he is close to you!" she added.

"Aww Annie, this is so kind of you to say", Candy hugged her friend. "I must say it is a delightful celebration, I am actually too dizzy to take it all in to be honest. Are you having a nice time, has everything been OK for you, oh and there's Patty. Patty! Tom! Over here!"

The couple joined the three of them, Patty and Candy giving each other a warm embrace.

"Oh, it is so wonderful to have you all here tonight, I can't begin to tell you just how happy I am and..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Annie pointed out that Rosemary seemed to be waving at her, trying to get Candy's attention.

"Oof, typical, one can't get a moment's peace with so many guests around, I think I am supposed to go and say goodbye to some of Albert's colleagues, I will catch you guys later" she said and murmuring a rushed apology she left her friends.

She found herself next to her husband once more, who after finishing with the host formalities dragged her back to the dance floor.

"My goodness, where do you find the energy?" protested Candy but followed him willingly.

"My legs are beginning to give up on me" she said unconvincingly, a wide grin on her face as he pulled her close to his strong frame.

"Hmm, it may the presence of so many bouncing children around" said Albert referring to the children from Pony's Home who despite the late hour were still playing excitedly amongst the guests.

"It's a pity we are a bit old to have a few more of them, what do you think, hmm?" he whispered playfully biting her earlobe.

"Albert! You are simply incorrigible! How much champagne have you had tonight?" she giggled though her face went bright red with the sudden thought of Albert making passionate love to her.

"Incorrigible? Moi?" he pretended to be hurt. "Is it my fault that life has blessed me with the kindest, prettiest, sexiest, loveliest woman on Earth? How can a man resist the temptation?" he went on planting sweet, light kisses on her neck when no-one was looking.

"Mmm..." she moaned softly," speaking of children, perhaps I can satisfy your appetite in a less exciting way" said Candy trying (in vain) to detach herself slightly from his intimate embrace.

"I was hoping to tell you at a quieter time... but... well, we are going to be grandparents! Elaine is expecting a baby in March!" she looked into his eyes elated.

"Candy!! My darling, this is the most fantastic news, blimey, yet another reason to celebrate tonight!" he added loudly.

"Where are they, should we make another announcement...?" he looked around searching for his son.

"Shhhh, no, no, it is supposed to be a secret for now" Candy stopped him.

"But..." he started eagerly.

"William Albert Ardlay, you are not to say a word to anyone yet" she wagged a warning finger smiling radiantly at him,

"No, don't look at me like this, I promised Anthony I wouldn't tell anyone else except you. My goodness I can see what an old daftie you are becoming, that poor baby doesn't stand a chance of a normal childhood with you fussing like this already!" she teased him affectionately, but she couldn't quite continue her sentence, as Albert's mouth was already covering hers in a fiery kiss...

***