AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 2
"A memorable afternoon"
The boat stopped at Piraeus in Greece for the day. The passengers could get off the boat go for a walk and come back at 5 pm. Candy woke up early in the morning after a sleepless night and wanted to take a walk by the harbour. The Greek sun should be good for her. She went to have breakfast and met Terry entering the dining room. Her heart jumped.
- Miss Andrew… said Terry.
- Mr. Grandchester…
They continued with the formalities. They thought it was funny.
- Did you sleep well? he asked
- Very well, she lied, what about you?
- Like a baby he said.
But he really only closed his eyes for half an hour
- Can I join you for breakfast?
Candy hesitated, because of everything that was going on in her head. But seeing him was making her happy, so she couldn't refuse.
- Ok, Mr. Grandchester, let's go she said with a nice smile.
They got into the dining room and had their breakfast. He told her about his childhood, the separation with his mom, his father, his step-mother, the college and finally his biggest passion, the theatre. She talked about her childhood, the Pony House, the Reagan, Anthony, Alistair, Archie, Annie, Patty and how she was adopted by Albert who was now her fiancé.
- Your adoptive father is your fiancé? Was he robbing the cradle or what? he asked surprised.
- Mr. Grandchester ! she said offended, I accepted his proposal only a few months ago she said blushing.
- I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you he said worried he got her upset.
Candy smiled. She had trouble getting used to the idea also.
- That's okay. I, myself am having a problem believing it sometimes.
- Well, I understand him. I wouldn't have let you escape either.
Candy blushed under the compliment. This young man was giving her butterflies in her stomach.
"I never felt like this with Albert she thought."
- I went to college in England, boarding school he said to change the subject.
- I was in college in England too.
- Which one?
- St. Paul College.
- Really? I was in St. James College, not too far from there. We could have gone to the same school. Did you also have awful nuns very strict on discipline?
- Yes, too strict for my taste. Fortunately or unfortunately the war started and we had to go back to America.
- I left before the war started, went to America and found some work with the Stratford troupe in New York, I met Susanna and the rest is history.
- When I went back to America, I decided to go to nursing school even though, my family was against it. The Great aunt Elroy was saying that a lady shouldn't learn a job; she should marry a rich man who'll provide for her. But I didn't flex. When I took my own apartment, it was even worse! A lady shouldn't be living alone. But I like my independence too much.
This young woman so strong, so independent and so adorable fascinated Terry. He wanted to spend the day with her.
- Do you want to spend the day with me, Miss Andrew? That is, if you have nothing important to do of course. I'm going to visit my Grandmother. She rather spend her last days under the hot sun of Greece. Well at least in the summer, it's very hot.
Candy hesitated a little. Spend the day with him? His Grandmother? That's certainly better than walking alone all day.
- Your Grandmother?
- It's not a pick up line, believe me, she's real.
- Ok. I was going to walk alone anyway not really knowing where to go. Let me go change. I won't be long.
- Take your time.
Candy went to her cabin to change. She put on a white dress with short sleeves under her coat. She put on some white shoes. She took a white hat. The winter in Greece wasn't very cold; it was a very nice day.
Terry was waiting for her near the exit. Piraeus was a very busy port especially with fishermen, which explained the strong fish odor. Candy and Terry went to the nearest street and stopped a taxi. Taxi gave him the address in English. They soon arrived to their destination. Terry's Grandmother's house was not too big. It was white with no second floor. What Candy found more beautiful was the garden. It was very big with all sorts of flower plants. It must be very beautiful in the summer. There was also lots of trees a small hill, which reminder her of her "hill" near the Pony house.
- It's very beautiful here, she said with joy.
She went near the trees and saw a little girl who was said because her kitten was stuck on a tree. She spoke very little English, but Candy understood her distress.
- Wait. I'll get your cat for you.
No sooner said than done, she took her shoes of and climbed up the tree with agility and flexibility, which surprised our young actor! When she got on the top of the tree, she took the kitten that was afraid and surprised to her on the tree.
- Come here kitten, she said wit a smile, you probably followed a bird or a squirrel, hein that should teach you a lesson!
Terry was observing the scene and was fascinated by his blond hair angel who could climb trees like Tarzan. She certainly was full of surprises! She came down the tree with the same agility, with the kitten on her left hand. Once on the ground, she gave the kitten to the little girl who thanked her and ran to the back of the house.
- Wow, Miss Tarzan freckled, what agility!
Candy looked at him a little surprised. This young man liked to give people nicknames!
- I was a real tomboy when I was little.
- Apparently, you still are! I wish I knew you then… Come on, let's go see Yaya, that's Grandma in Greek. I'm going to introduce you to her.
They walked towards the house and entered. A lovely old lady was sitting in the living room, reading the bible. She eyes lit up when she saw her grandson.
- Terrence! she said with a big smile and coming towards him.
- Yaya said Terry hugging her, how are you?
- I'm fine my little one she said smiling, you brought a guest, is this the woman you're going to marry? She asked looking at Candy.
Candy blushed at the Grandmother's words but tried to smile.
- No, Yaya. This Candice White Andrew, we're traveling on the same ship going to America. Candy, this is my grandmother.
- Pleased to meet you, Madam said Candy hugging her.
- Call me Yaya, like every body, welcome to humble home.
- I like your garden, it's very beautiful.
- Thank you, my dear. Would you like some lemonade? There's a pitch on the table over there.
Candy went to the table and served some lemonade for every body. They started talking about everyday things. Lunch was served a 3:30 pm, and then they went to the veranda for the tea. Candy took a nice white-laced shawl and put it on the old lady's shoulders.
- How beautiful! she said
- You like it? I'll send it to you one day.
- But, I didn't mean to…
- My child, I don't have much days left on this earth, when I'll be gone, you'll have it.
Candy had tears in her eyes.
- Don't talk like that, Yaya, you still have lots of days on this earth.
- Thank you my child, you're very sweet. Tell me what is it you do in life?
- I'm a nurse.
- You must be the patient's favorite with your cheerfulness. I know you would've been mine if I were your patient.
Candy laughed at that comment. Terry was looking at her and was falling more in love with her. How was that possible? He just met her the night before! He went in the garden to clear his head, and he was talking to the gardener. Candy stayed and talked with the old lady.
- I've never seen my grandson with such a glow on his face. Candy you brought him a new glare.
- But I just met him she said blushing, he's engaged to be married and me too for that matter.
- All I'm saying is that I've never seen a couple with so much chemistry like you two. A child would see that you two are made for each other!
Candy remained silent. The old lady had just expressed what she wouldn't admit to herself.
"But I just met him last night she thought, am I falling in love with him, or am I already in love with him? She asked herself."
The old lady showed her some paintings hanging on the wall.
- This is Terry's work, she said.
- Wow! Candy said, he's got a lot of talent! I thought he was only an actor; he's full of surprises!
Terry came back in the room and the subject of the conversation changed.
The old lady went to a piano near the veranda and started to play Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet". Candy and Terry remained silent and listened to the piano notes. They looked at each other like they were in some sort of a trance. It's was like the music charmed them. Their eyes were saying what their mouth wouldn't dare say. The fact that all those feeling were less than 24 hours old, seemed incredible to them.
The clock struck four. It was 4 pm. They had to live if they wanted to have time to buy some souvenirs before getting back to the ship.
- Yaya, Terry said hugging her, we have to go.
- Candy is the love of your life; don't let her get away, she whispered in his ear.
- Ok, Yaya he said softly, I hear you.
- Goodbye Yaya, said Candy hugging her too, I'm pleased to have met you.
- Goodbye, my child, you're a ray of sunshine, don't ever change. I hope my grandson will take advantage of that. Write me, Terry will give you the address.
- Thank you. It will be a pleasure to write you.
Candy and Terry took a cab to a small store near the harbor to buy some souvenirs. Candy bought some souvenirs for her friends and the children at the Pony house. She was looking at the souvenirs and saw an harmonica, she bought it in souvenir of a day spent in one of the most beautiful garden in the world –to her eyes- and with one of the nicest old lady she's ever met. They got the ship almost at the last minute, they were running. They got there breathless and laughing with joy. The day was perfect and none of them wanted it to end.
- Let me take you to your cabin, Miss Andrew, Terry said.
They walked to Candy's cabin. She opened the door and put her bags on the bed.
- You want to have diner with me, tonight? He asked.
- Yes. I'll be glad too.
- 7 pm in the dining room? We have to eat early to leave the place for the masquerade ball.
- I'll be there.
- See you later.
- See you later, wait! I have something for you she said giving him a small box.
- Really? He asked with a curious look, he too the box and opened it, an harmonica?
- If you fill like smoking, play the harmonica!
Terry smiled. She was so cute!
- Miss freckled nurse, you're very considerate with your patients. Do you treat them all this way or am I privileged to be treated with such goodness?
- Every body gets the same treatment Mr. Grandchester, but the children get special treatment because they're fragile…
- And I thought I was privileged! He said faking indignation, I'm chocked!
- Really? You overestimate your charms!
- No chance to conquer you? He said with sad puppy eyes.
- Don't hold your breath! She said closing the door behind her.
They were joking, but Candy and Terry knew they were already conquered. But they didn't have the courage to admit it. All those feelings seemed unbelievable. But they were there and they had no intention of going away, on the contrary, they were getting stronger.
Terry went to his cabin thinking about Candy. He thought about his Grandmother's last words "Candy is the love of your life", she said. He didn't doubt his grand-mother's wisdom. She had live a long life, and she knew the signs. And he had all those feelings in his heart. He realized that he barely thought about his fiancé. She seemed like a far away memory…
In the meanwhile, Candy was arranging the souvenir she bought for her friends and family. She gave the harmonica to Terry, so he could get a new hobby instead of smoking. She'll have the memories of this beautiful day in her heart. She took a shower and had a little nap. She was a little tired. She had a wonderful day and was hoping to have a wonderful evening. She realized that she barely thought about Albert. Terry was on her mind. Everything was nice and simple when she was near him.
"However….no, don't think about that, let's just take advantage of the warm and fuzzy feeling, this situation created she said to herself."
She closed her eyes and dreamt about Terry.