The Broken Hearts
Chapter 9
"Just friends…"
The interview Terry gave Patricia went very well, but she had the impression that something was bothering him. But she didn't say anything and she continued her interview.
- Are we almost done? Asked Terry a little impatient.
- Soon Terry, said Patricia, what's going on? Do you have to go somewhere?
- Euh no…I… I wanted to rest a little before tonight representation…
- Oh all right, let me wrap up fast then. I'll go interview the other actors…
- Forgive me Patricia, take all the time you need… there's no rush…
He had to hold her back; otherwise they were going to accuse him of jealous again… But he was dying to know what Annie was doing with the dandy…
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The dandy was looking at Annie work and was telling her about the latest gossip in Chicago. Instead of being impressed by his ex-fiancée's knowledge, he talked about trivial things, and Annie was waiting for him to say something about her work. But it was Archie, the dandy, who also was good with the needle, so he wasn't impressed by what Annie was going… Terry was probably right; Archie didn't want her to work… She was sad to realise that. Not that she would've changed her mind if he had been impressed by her… Because she had no intention of leaving Terry. She was feeling good with him, she was feeling free with him, she could be herself and she didn't need to impress him… She had left him with Patricia; he must've felt abandoned, especially since Archie followed her… Why did she care about Terry's feelings all of a sudden? Because he was her friend… She had to go see him.
- I'm sorry Archie, she said, walking to the door.
- Where are you going?
- You can wait for me here; I have to go see an actor for his costume. I'll be right back…
- Oh, all right then.
He stayed in the sewing room and he started closely at the costumes, the finishing touch was excellent. Annie was going a good job… really.
Annie walked to Terry's dressing room and she knocked.
- Come in! Said Terry's voice a little irritated.
Annie opened the door and Patricia, who was still there, saw the relief on Terry's face when Annie came in.
- Oh, she said, I thought you were done, I'm sorry.
- No, I'm done, dais Patricia, I'm going to let you talk… Thank you again Terry.
- You can come back anytime, Patricia, said Terry with enthousiasme.
Patricia noticed that the tone of his voice had changed, was it due to Annie's presence? And Annie had that dreamy look she used to have when she thought about Archibald… She was with Archie earlier… That must've been it… There was nothing between Terry and Annie, they were just friends.
Annie looked at Terry.
- Are you ok? He asked.
- Yes…
- What did the dandy want?
- What do you think?
- Are you encouraging him?
- I want to know how far he's going to go…
- Annie…
- Don't worry; I know what I'm going…
- You loved him for years. He might convince you…
- There's no chance. I like our arrangement and I have no intention to give it up…
- All right, said Terry. Thanks for coming talking to me.
- You're welcome, get some rest. You got a show later on…, she said smiling at him.
He smiled back at her and he went to lay down, the light-hearted. Annie had come to reassure him because she knew he was upset. She really was a really good friend.
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Eleonor Baker was on the phone. Her dressing room was full of flowers sent by the duke. He was persistent. He started to send her chocolate boxes, chocolate pralines. He knew Eleonor loved chocolate. Every single bouquet of flowers and chocolate boxes had a little note inviting her for diner after the play. She never answered them.
She finally got the person she was seeking for on the phone.
- William Andrew on the phone, she heard.
- Yes, hello Mr. Andrew, Eleonor Baker on the phone.
- Hello Miss Baker, said Albert smiling, to what do I owe the honor of your call?
- I wanted to talk with you about something…
- All right. Are you free for dinner tonight?
Eleonor looked at the roses invading her dressing room with the chocolate boxes. She smiled.
- Yes, I'm free after the play; I'm free as a bird!
- Perfect! I'm going to wait after the play, I'll send my driver to come and pick you up.
- Very well. See you tonight then…
- See you tonight, said Albert smiling.
Eleonor hung up the phone. The duke wasn't done struggling to get her back!
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Archie went for a walk looking for Annie. He walked around, he went on stage and he remembered the play the night before. Terry and his mother were both wonderful, but he would rather die, before admitting that…
Patricia went to interview Eleonor Baker and she was surprised to find her dressing room full of flowers like a flower shop!
- Would you like some chocolate? She asked Patricia offering her some from a box.
- Yes, thank you…
- You can keep the box. I've got too many!
- From an admirer?
- Yes, and with a diner invitation…
- Are you going to accept?
- No…
- All right…
There was a knock on the door and it was another bouquet of flowers…
- He's persistent, said Patricia.
- Very persistent…
- Then, let's start. How did the plan to play opposite…
During the interview, a man with a uniform came to get the bouquet of flowers to go donate them to hospital and nursing homes… a few minutes later, other flowers arrived with chocolate boxes… Patricia thought the little game was kind of run. The photograph was taking pictures…
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Patricia continued her interviews and time went by very fast. It was time for the show to start…
Annie was called in lots of dressing rooms, because there were some problems with the costumes. She was running all over the place. Sewing button here, a sleeve there… she was wondering what was happening! It was like someone was sabotaging her! But she was able to make it… and she couldn't spend any time with Terry, like the other times.
Archie stayed near Patricia and her photograph, who was taking pictures of the actors on stage and in their dressing rooms… Annie was very busy, he could've helped her, but he had rather not do it, since he didn't want her to work anyway… Maybe that little incident was going to discourage her…
Patricia was asking Annie questions while she was working.
- So you like working?
- I like being useful, yes…
- You want to make it your career? Costume designer, I mean.
- No, I want to open my own designing shop one day.
- Very ambitious too, that's very good, said Patricia smiling.
- You've got your magazine, I'll have my designing shop one day… all you have to do is want it… and I want it more than anything in the world… Now if you don't mind sweetie, I have to continue working…
- Of course sweetie, said Patricia.
The evening was lively. Everything went well, Annie barely made it. After the play, Archie went to see Annie.
- I'm starving; you want to have dinner with me tonight?
- I'm so tired, said Annie, I'm going back home to sleep…
- Come on, you have to eat don't you?
- I'm sure cook made something, said Annie.
- Can I come along, then?
- I don't think so, Archie…
Terry arrived to get Annie.
- Are you ready, Annie?
- Yes Terry, she said talking his arm, bye Archie…
- But Annie…, said the dandy irritated.
But she left at Terry's arm. Archie went to join Patricia sulking.
- Are you ready to go?
- Let's go!
- Where's Annie?
- She left with Grandchester…
- Oh… they're just friends…
Patricia had the impression that the more she said it, the less it sounded true.
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Eleonor Baker arrived at the luxury restaurant where Albert was waiting for her at a table. Everybody turned around to look at her. She was very elegant and she was also leaving a nice perfume scent on her way. Albert stood up to kiss her hand and pull up her chair.
- Good evening, he said.
- Good evening, she said smiling.
- How was the play?
- Like yesterday's.
- Which means, excellent.
- Thank you.
They ordered their dinner and they started talking.
- Here goes, said Eleonor, Candy helped me reconcile with my son…
- Really?
- Yes, the year she spend her summer in Scotland, she convinced Terry to give me a second chance. I have a relationship with my son, thanks to her. Terry listened to her, while he was refusing to listen to me, he wouldn't answer my letters… So I would like to do something to commemorate Candy… But I would like to ask for your permission, since you're her adoptive father… To have some kind of a scholarship in her memory…
- I'm one step ahead of you. I've already made one and on December 31st, I'm organizing the White Rose Ball, to inaugurate the foundation. You can contribute if you wish, donations are welcome…
- That's perfect! Said Eleonor smiling, God bless that child…
They continued their dinner while talking.
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Terry and Annie went back to their place and they had dinner the housekeeper served them.
- You were sleeping in the car, said Terry.
- I'm tired… I had lots of emergencies…it was weird; it was like someone was sabotaging me to make me work more…
- That's why I didn't see you backstage… I was wondering where you were.
- You thought I was cooing with Archie?
- I… didn't think anything of the sort… but I'm happy to learn that you didn't let me down for the dandy!
Annie smiled.
- One thing surprised me a little, she said.
- What?
- He's really good with the needle, but he didn't offer once to help me when I could've use it… it was like he didn't encourage me in my work… he only talked about the gossip of Chicago, not a word on my work… It was like it didn't exist to him…
Terry didn't say anything. The dandy didn't want Annie to work, or course. He wanted her to get back to being obedient and assist to charity dinner and have tea at the Country Club, talking about the next fashion line. He had no intention for his wife to be the creator of the next fashion line…
- I think it's sad that he doesn't support my work…
- Don't discourage yourself Annie, you can count on me, said Terry.
- Thank you Terry…
They finished their dinner. They had tea in the living room. Terry talked about the little bloopers that happened on stage and Annie talked about her wardrobe emergencies with the sewing. They spent a nice evening and they didn't talk about the dandy anymore.
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Albert had given a room to Patricia at the manor and one for her photograph too. So she was at the dinner table with Archie, since Albert was having dinner with Eleonor Baker. The rest of the family was also at the table. Archie was sulking. Annie had refused his dinner invitation and she had left with Grandchester!
- So Archie, you still haven't managed to convince Annie to get back together with you? Asked Eliza.
- She's become very stubborn, said Archie and Grandchester is putting ideas in her head…
- I think Annie is capable of making her own decisions, when she decided to study and come to New York, Terry wasn't there, said Patricia.
- That little insipid orphan might be living with Terry, said Eliza, but she will not be able to steal him from me. Hurry up and get her back Archie!
- The young Brighton is living with a man without being married? Said the great aunt, I don't think she's good enough for you Archibald.
- Well, she's the one I want, aunt Elroy. All the girls you've introduced me to were really boring and superficial… Annie was the only one caring about my well being and hers…, said Archie, and Grandchester wants to steal her away from me.
- There is no chance! Said Eliza.
The contemptuous tone by Eliza made Patricia angry.
- No chance? Said Patricia, and why not? Is she a woman.
- Terry is not interested in her! Said Eliza.
- Yet, he offered her a place to stay, said Patricia.
- He's got a thing for orphans; he's got a heart of gold, that's all…
- Well I remember a man consoling Annie during Candy's funerals…
- He's compassionate, that's all, said Eliza.
- He lives with her in the house, said Patricia, according to you, he's not tempted? It's the law of nature Eliza… Archie is not jealous for nothing; Annie refused to follow him, she didn't want to leave Terry…
Patricia was making sure Eliza was jealous, but Archie was also hurt in the process.
- You're talking nonsense! Said Eliza.
- Archie? Said Patricia.
- She refused to have dinner with me and she left with Terry, said Terry against his will.
- No! Nothing is happening between them! Said Eliza.
- It's not because you say it that it is so, said Patricia.
Archie and Eliza started to image Annie and Terry together and it made them sick… Patricia had a triumphant smile. She had senses that Terry was jealous during their interview and the relief when Annie came to talk to him. They are just friend, but she was sure that they were lovers in the making.
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Patricia's article in her magazine was a big success. People were buying it like crazy. Her father was very happy with the result. With the article on the scholarship in Candy's name and the White Rose Ball, Albert had told her told to go on tour across the country and recruit young poor girls who wanted to continue their studies. They were going to choose the best one for the scholarship and the foundation of the White Rose was going to help those who didn't get scholarships with little odd jobs and favours to help them study.
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Time passed and it was the holiday… Christmas was getting closer. Terry had told Annie that she could decorate the house the way she wanted to. She was wondering what she was going to offer Terry for Christmas. She decided to knit him a scarf, a tuque, gloves and a pullover. She chose the color red, for the holiday season. She has also organized a dinner for Christmas Eve after talking to Eleonor, who was going to give the Christmas dinner. She has invited the duke, since Christmas was a family celebration.
Archie tried to invite her to spend Christmas with him at the manor, but she refused. He went to see her at Terry's one evening.
- But why? He asked, you're refusing to have lunch with me, and now you're refusing to celebrate Christmas with me? I'm Candy's cousin and Candy was your sister. You're part of the family and you're my ex-fiancée…
- It's a family celebration and I'm not part of your family anymore, if I ever even were a member! I'm going to celebrate with Terry and his family…
- What about your family in Chicago? You're not even going to go see them?
- My family disowned me when I made the decision to take a course and to work… They didn't tell you that? Said Annie ironically.
- They told me you left, but I didn't know the situation between you was that bad… I even promise them to bring you back to them…
- Archie, I'm spending Christmas with Terry and his family.
- Annie, I didn't reconise you, said Archie.
- Did you even know me before Archie? I don't think so… Can you leave me know? I have to wrap my Christmas presents before Terry comes back…
- I put your present under the tree, said Archie.
They heard noise at the door. The butler opened the door and greeted someone. Then Terry entered the living room.
- I like the decoration very much! He said walking in with a package in his hands, Annie! You did a good job! Oh… Cornwell…
- Grandchester, said Archie a little jealous.
Terry approached Annie and gave her the package.
- What is it? She asked with a smile.
- A fruit cake, said Terry, for dessert.
- Where did you get it? Asked Annie.
- What? I can't buy a fruit cake? Said Terry pretending to be upset.
- At this hours? Said Annie.
- All right… it's part of the presents my father send my mother…he's going mad! Everyday it's something new.
- You mother is really dragging him along! Said Annie laughing.
- And he's persistent, said Terry.
- You want something to drink? Asked Annie.
Archie looked at the scene stunned. Annie didn't even offer him anything to drink! She was behaving with Terry like she was his wife!
- Hot chocolate… it's cold outside, said Terry.
- All right, said Annie getting out of the room.
Archie gave him the eye.
- You're not stealing her away from me you know? He said.
- What are you talking about? Said Terry.
- I'm going to get her back! Your seduction number is not going to last… and when she'll realise that, she's going to live you…
- I really don't know what you're talking about Cornwell, Annie and I are just friends… I have no intention of preventing her from doing whatever she wants… if she wants to get back together with you, she will.
"Not if I have my word to say! " He said to himself.
Annie came back with a cup of hot chocolate for Terry. And she went to sit by his side.
- Thank you Annie, said Terry smiling.
Archie had enough and he walked to the living room door.
- Ok Annie, if you change your mind, you know where to find me…
- All right, good bye Archie, said Annie staying put next to Terry.
She didn't walk him to the door… Archie left. Terry looked at him leave.
- What did he want?
- Invite me for Christmas…
- Oh…
- As Candy's cousin and since I'm Candy's sister…
- Are you going to go?
- No, I told him I was spending Christmas with you and your family.
- You can go at the Andrews too, you know…
- But I don't want to go at the Andrews, Terry! I want to spend Christmas with you and your family…
- Are you sure?
- And certain! I can't wait for Christmas Eve… I remember at the Pony House when Candy and I were little…
Annie had tears in her eyes thinking about Candy.
- I hope some generous souls thought about the children at the Pony Home this year, said Annie.
- I' m sure God provided for them, said Terry.
- Me too. Ok, while we wait for dinner, I'm going to go to my room…. I have lots of things to do. I'll see you later.
- See you later, Annie, said Terry.
Annie left the living room. Terry was smiling… Annie as a very good friend… They were just friends.
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