-25-
When Susanna arrived in front of the door of the Andrew property, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was magnificent, magical, too impressive to be true. Alistair talked to her quickly about the park that surrounded the property. Patty was having fun seeing Susanna's surprise. The property always had that effect the first time.
Susanna got out of the camping car, leaning on her cane. She looked up at the big door, on top of the stairs. Servants were there to carry her luggage inside. Archibald, Annie and Neil came out and when he saw Susanna, Neil got down the stairs running. Alistair and Archibald, on their side, were making them big signs with theirs hands. They met in the middle of the stairs, with Annie and Patty just as happy to see each other again.
Susanna all dressed in blue, which brought out her eyes, was radiant. Neil hugged her and she hugged him back:
- I've missed you so much!
- I've missed you a lot too.
- You're even prettier than when I left you.
- That's because I'm seeing you again. What a wonderful property! It looks like a castle.
Susanna asked to be introduced to Archie and Annie. When she learned that she was Candy's childhood friend from the Pony Home, she told her that Candy had told her about her. Annie blushed. She was still a little uneasy when she was reminded about the orphanage. But there was no mockery whatsoever in Susanna's words and the two young women realized they will get along well.
- Well, said Archibald to Neil, it's actually the first time I see you in such a good mood ever since you got here.
- I believe love changes people, said Alistair with a smile, looking at Patty who looked him back.
They were all reunited. Neil helped Susanna to get up to the entry hall. He also made sure the servants were carrying her wheelchair. Susanna's and her mother's room were already ready and aunt Elroy had hired a nurse to take care of her. Neil quickly explained to her the habits and customs of the house. She was surprised to not see his mother or his sister. There was a little cloud over him.
- The main thing is that we're together, right? I had a fall out with my sister. But since my cousins and the great aunt Elroy are offering us hospitality… To live here, it's not really being unhappy.
- You had a fight with your sister? I hope it wasn't because of me…
- You can't help it. It has nothing to do with you. She would've said mean things about anybody. When my father comes back, it's probably going to get settled.
He was forcing himself to reassure her and she didn't insist. She had a lot of things to tell him, anyway. He was happy to learn that Mrs. Marlowe let a little independence to her daughter.
When they joined their cousins and their two girlfriends, Alistair noticed:
- We're only missing Mrs. Marlowe and Terry to be complete.
- Don't forget Candy, noticed his brother.
- How could I have forgotten about Candy? asked Alistair passing his tongue and taking a sorry face which made the three girls laugh.
Archibald announced:
- We asked the great aunt Elroy to have a little banquet ready to celebrate this!
- And she agreed? asked Alistair.
- You think?! She would've said yes if we had invited Eliza. She gave us a sermon on the fact that it was out of the question to invite that orphan if Eliza wasn't also part of it.
- Maybe we should've tolerated Eliza's presence?
- So that she would bat her eyes to Terry during the whole meal or spread her venom? Anyway, her brother was the one who refused. He doesn't want to see his little sister. Right Neil?
Alistair noticed his cousin's embarrassment and hit Archibald lightly with his elbow to make him shut up, but Neil ended up answering:
- It's because she's the only among us who is still single. It's better for her to stay at mom's to find a suitor.
- The only one who is single? You forget the great aunt, said Archibald laughing.
- Archie! scolded Annie
But Archibald continued:
- I wouldn't be joyful anyway. The great aunt at the end of the row, observing us and verifying our good manners while Eliza next to her, would tell her; "Look great-aunt Elroy, Candy dropped a crust in the soup!"…
He couldn't help laughing and imagining the scene and his brother started to laugh quickly with him saying: "The nerve! That little insolent!"
Neil himself smiled, the imagery was close to reality. Annie and Patty were trying to keep a serious face but since they were visualizing the great aunt Elroy rubbing her mouth with her handkerchief, churlish at the table end, they ended up bursting out laughing too.
When they all, more of less regained their serious faces, they reassured Susanna by telling her:
- You'll see! The great aunt Elroy is a character, but she's not mean.
- Why don't we go to the restaurant? suggested Neil.
- The restaurant?
- Yes, a table for eight, far from our parents. It would be the occasion to see Candy and Terry again.
- I'm not sure Terry is going to accept, said Archibald, but why not? It seems like an excellent idea. We could spend a great evening and then go listen to some music.
Susanna got worried:
- But what about my mother? She's going to stay here alone?
- Only for a few hours. We will bring you back before midnight, pretty Cinderella, replied Archibald wanting to kiss her hand, but Neil, a little jealous, took it before he was able to, which unleashed another laughter in the whole gang, and Annie added by pretending to hit her suitor on the head with a fan.
In the end, they were now all reunited and getting along great. They will have to let Candy know. Annie and Patty were going to tell her when she comes home from the hospital. The outing looked good. Susanna asked if it was possible to go listen to jazz and the others tempered a little on her enthousiasm, but that allowed Annie and Patty to start talking about music, about piano and violin. Then came diner, where they were all trying to sit well in the presence of the great aunt Elroy who saw the little corner smiles when they were served the asparagus cream soup. They finished the evening with an improvised concert: Annie at the piano, Patty on the violin and Alistair on the accordion. Susanna listened, her head on Neil's shoulder. Mrs. Marlowe was arriving the next day in this friendly and festive atmosphere.