SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 5
"I'm sorry Sirs, you're mistaking…"
The rest of the days in London were without problems. The two couples became good friends. Laurent invited Candy and Terry at his place for a barbecue, the Saturday before their departure. They had to take the boat on Monday at dawn. After the barbecue, they decided to go to the zoo. Since it was Saturday, they were a lot of people. Candy was thinking of going to see Patty's turtle. There were a lot of policemen too. Candy and Georgie were wearing the same pink dress by coincidence.
- You did it on purpose said Terry
- No, I swear to you said Candy
- It's a pure coincidence said Georgie.
There was a man not too far from them with a picture of Candy he was trying to come closer to them to see if it was her. Terry who had his back turned had seen him.
- Candy he said calmly, we have to get out off here. I see a man looking at us. I think he has a picture in hand.
- Oh my God, said a horrified Candy, do you think he's looking for me?
- I don't know, but let's not take the risk. Let's go.
- Wait, Georgie said, if you leave, they are going to follow you and they'll know where you live. I'll act as a decoy…
- What? Asked Laurent a little worried
- Candy and I look alike, the policemen don't know us. They won't know the difference.
- But, what if they take you to the St. Paul college? Candy asked
- The nuns will see that I'm not you and they will let me go.
- But… Candy started
- Go! Said Georgie, we have to hurry. Laurent come and wait for me at St. Paul college, ok?
- Thanks said Candy. See you later.
Candy, Terry and Laurent left. Georgie turned and saw the policeman coming towards her and wanted to run to make him think she was afraid.
- Miss Andrew? Said the policeman taking her arm. You have to come with us.
- What? No! You're mistaking, I'm not Miss Andrew…
- Go ahead and act. You are coming with us.
- But….said Georgie.
There were 4 extra policemen who came to help. They took Georgie to St. Paul college, without listening to her protestations. The news of Candy's arrest was known in the whole school. Eliza and Neil were very happy. Candy's friends were bitter-sweet; they were sad she'd been arrested, but were happy of the return of the "prodigal daughter".
Georgie was in the hallway with the policemen, she had her head down. Sister Grey and Sister Margaret arrived. There were two policemen in front of Georgie, they stepped away when they saw the nuns arriving.
- Miss Andrew, you're back. You're going to be punished just for the trouble your disappearance has caused said Sister Grey.
- Candy said Sister Margaret, lift your head when you're talked to
- Yeah, stable girl, show us your poor face said Eliza with a mean tone, the good life is over, no more dances with Princes…
- Shut up Eliza! said Annie
- We'd had enough of your name calling said Patty
- SILENCE! Said Sister Grey. Miss Andrew, would you please lift your head!
Georgie finally lifted her head and everybody screamed. The young girl, with long curly blond hair, green eyes, looked a lot like Candy, but it wasn't her.
- But… said Sister Grey.
- She looks like her but started Sister Margaret
- IT'S NOT HER cried Eliza, what have you done? She said talking to the policemen, IT'S NOT HER!
- But… said the policeman, she fits the description and she looks like the picture…
- You've made a mistake, Sirs, would you please release this poor young girl immediately! Said Sister Grey
- Yes sister, said the policeman.
Eliza was red with anger. Candy was still free with Terry. Annie, Patty, Stear and Archie had a sight of relief.
- Let's follow her said Annie, maybe she'll tell us something.
- What? Asked Patty
- I don't know, let's follow her!
They followed the policemen and Georgie so did Stear and Archie.
- Hi said Annie to Georgie, my name is Annie. I'm a friend of Candy's you look a lot like her.
- I'm Patty and this is Stear and Archie
- Hi, my name is Georgie
- You've got the Australian accent, are you from there? Asked Stear
- Yes. I'm going to America to look for my mother. I was adopted.
Once they got outside the gate, the policemen left.
- Please accept our apologies, Miss. I hope we haven't upset you. Once again, our sincere apologies. Do you want us to drop you off somewhere?
- No thank you. I'll manage.
As soon as the policemen left in their cars, Georgie turned to Candy's friends.
- I was waiting for the policemen to leave. Candy's fine, she misses you.
- You know Candy? Annie asked
- Yes, and Terry too. I was a decoy for the policemen.
- You mean you let yourself get arrested in her place? Said Patty
- So she could get away said Stear, since you two look alike, the policemen didn't see anything.
- Yes.
- Thank you Georgie and kiss Candy for us. Tell her we miss her too and good luck. To Terry too.
- She's with Terry? Asked Archie.
- Yes, they have separate bedrooms said Georgie.
She understood what Archie was talking about. She understood also what Terry meant that night at diner. Laurent arrived, she had to go.
- Georgie? He called
- I'm coming. Bye, I have to go.
- Bye said Annie and Patty
- Bye said Stear and Archie
They looked, as she got into the car, kissed Laurent and waved at them with her hand.
- Well that's good news said Archie
- If Candy were back, she would've been punished again
- She's better off where she's now said Stear
- With Terry? Said Archie, I'm not so sure
- Come on bro, Terry is better than the dungeon, don't you think so ?
- Yeah, you're right.
Eliza arrived with her group of friends.
- What are you doing at the gate? She asked
- Mind you own business, Eliza said Stear
They left leaving her there fuming. She hated not knowing what was happening.
- Damn you Candy! she cried between her teeth.
Meanwhile in the car, Georgie and Laurent were talking.
- So, said Laurent did it work well?
- Like clockwork! Said Georgie everybody thought I was Candy until they saw my face.
- The nuns must have been furious
- You have no idea. But I'm glad I could help Candy. Those were her friends I was talking to at the gate. They miss her a lot. In Candy's place, I wouldn't have stayed in this cold and brittle college with those severe nuns, without the love of my life either…
Candy and Terry were back at the inn. They were still a little shaken up by the events of the day. Terry had taken her to her room and had come in this time, to make sure she was alright. All those emotions, running away from the police, letting Georgie take her place, had scared her but at he same time had exited her too. Terry was hugging her to reassure her, she had her head on his chest. He tightened his embrace and was caressing her back and her hair. Candy raised her head and their lips met. The kiss was more passionate than usual because of all the excitement of the day. Their lips were weld together and they found themselves on Candy's bed still kissing. All the days emotions were forgotten, There was only that moment, that kiss which had awaken in her strange feelings, nice feelings she didn't dare explore. She had to stop before it was too late, but it was so good, too good to stop…
But she had to… she didn't have the strength… there was a knock on the door.
- Candy, Candy, are you there?
It was Georgie's voice. They stopped with regrets and put a little order in their clothes.
- Yes, wait a minute, Georgie!
She went to open the door and found Georgie and Laurent.
- I hope we're not interrupting anything, said Georgie when she saw Terry.
- Oh no, said Candy hugging her, thank you, thank you with all my heart. They didn't mishandle you too badly?
- No, I'm fine said Georgie.
- I wish I could've seen everybody's face when they realized you weren't Candy said Terry
- It was priceless. I had to restrain myself not to laugh said Georgie
- Let's go downstairs to talk said Candy.
As they were going down, Georgie continued;
- There was a girl who threw a tantrum when she saw I wasn't you
- Let me guest, a red head with curls? Said Candy
- Yes, she almost hit the policemen…
- Eliza said Terry
- I don't know why she hates me so much…
- She simply doesn't have a heart said Terry
- But I saw some relieved faces, your friends…
- How did you recognised them?
- They followed me to the gate. After the police was gone, we talked. They miss you a lot. They told me to kiss you and wish you good luck.
- They didn't ask for anything else? Said Terry
- If you were together….
- Let me guest, Archibald? Said Terry
Georgie smiled.
- Terry's right Candy, he's in love with you…
- And I love Terry she simply said
- I love you too, Freckles
The next day was the day before their departure. Candy had almost forgot about the ticket to "Romeo and Juliet" at Covent Gardens.
- Terry, do you remember when I went to get my ball dress ?
- Of course
- Well, I bought two tickets for "Romeo and Juliet" for tonight. Your departure present.
Terry was stunned, but glad about the surprise.
- You're wonderful Miss Tarzan… I suppose you have a dress for the occasion?
- Of course, I'm a lady she joked.
They got to the opera and saw Georgie and Laurent.
- We keep meeting said Georgie
- Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something said Candy smiling
- What do you know, my big brother and his girlfriend said a voice behind them
Candy and Terry turned around and saw Junior and Elizabeth.
- Good evening said Candy
- Good evening Miss Andrew, than talking to Terry, I hope you have no intention to use the family lodge.
- They will be in my lodge said Laurent
- And you are…? Asked Junior
- It's the governor's grandson said Elizabeth
- Ho said Junior. Don't worry Terrence I won't compromise Elizabeth…
- Don't start Junior…
- What? I wouldn't want you to think I compromised her. Do like father, play with your little American slut, but don't forget your duty.
- You bloody bast…
Candy and Laurent had to hold on to Terry with all their strength so he wouldn't go and hit his brother.
- Woa woa bro, where are your manners? With all the money father spends on college for you
- Come on Richard, let's go it's our turn said Elizabeth taking him away.
Candy tried to calm Terry down.
- Terry, calm down she said softly, he's not worth it! We can go if you want…
- And give him the satisfaction of ruining our evening? No way!
- So, calm down and we'll have a perfect evening Romeo…
- Ok, Juliet he said looking at her with love.
- Since everything is fine, let's go said Laurent
- Thanks for saving us said Terry
- The pleasure was all mine said Laurent, your brother is a snotty-nosed kid!
- Laurent! Said Georgie
They all laughed out loud. Laurent's family loge was big, the two couples sat down, Laurent and Georgie at the front, Candy and Terry at the back..
- You're ready for the trip tomorrow? Georgie asked
- Yes, but I'm wondering if the police is going to be there looking for me.
- Disguise yourself said Georgie, as a boy…
- Like you said Laurent then he explain to other couple, she disguised herself as a boy to be in boomerang contest for boys only…
- Boys only! Said Georgie, Ah men! They think we are weaker being. Girls can't throw boomerang? I won the contest!
- The winner was supposed to be kissed by my fiancée
- But since they discovered I was a girl
- I was the one who kissed her…
- I was waiting for a peek on the cheek…
- But I kissed her on the lips, her two brothers were furious!
- The kiss lasted for ever… in front of everybody
- In front of Abel and Arthur you mean. Abel almost broke my jaw, I thought he was her boyfriend. Boy, was I surprised to learn he was her brother!
- Laurent fell in love with me! Said Georgie ignoring Laurent's remarks.
- How romantic! Said Candy
The three knocks showed that the play was starting. The room was silent. Candy looked at Terry who seemed to be in a trance. He was looking at the play with attention and reciting Romeo's role by heart, without any mistakes.
During the break, Georgie told him about it.
- Wow, Terry, you make a better Romeo than the one on scene. You know the role by heart.
- You're going to be a good actor said Laurent
- The best said Candy, and I'm not just saying that because I'm his fiancée…
- Only the future will tell us… said Terry
- And he's modest said Georgie
At the end of the play, Candy had tears in her eyes. Terry's performance was outstanding. He held her in his arms
- You'll be a great actor Terry, I have no doubt at all said Candy
- Thank you Freckles, thank you for your surprise
- It was a pleasure.
He kissed her on the lips. "Freckles" the nickname that used to annoy her at first had become a sign of affection between them. She loved him, he could call him like he wanted.
- Hum hum said Georgie
Candy and Terry stopped kissing.
- I'm sorry, said Georgie, we have to go.
Candy and Terry smiled and Laurent shook his head.
- We're not in a hurry, Georgie said Laurent
- That's ok, said Terry, let's go.
- We're leaving London tomorrow very early said Candy while they were getting out to go to the reception for the play, Georgie, you'll be on the boat?
- Yes, and Laurent found a place at the last minute
- That's great, said Candy, tomorrow I'm finally going back to America!
When they were back at the inn, Terry kissed her and whispered;
- Our last night as singles
- And our last night in London. Can you lend me some clothes? I don't want to take any risks tomorrow
- Ok, I'll be right back!
He went to his room to get some clothes and she went in her room to change A few moments later, Terry knocked on her door. Candy was taking her dress off, at least she was trying. She opened the door to Terry with clothes in his hand.
- Do you need any help?
- Yes, please, with my dress
She knew it was a very delicate moment if Terry helped her to take her dress off. His hands on her back made her shiver with pleasure. Terry must have felt the shiver because he started to kiss her on the neck very softly, after moving her longs curly blond hair, it was almost a caress. Candy stood there and closed her eyes savouring every second of that intense moment. Then she couldn't take it anymore, she turned around and their lips were joined together in a soft and passionate kiss. Every time Terry kissed her, she all her body was ablaze and she couldn't control it. Tomorrow, she taught to herself, tomorrow. They were thinking the same thing at the same time, sot they stopped breaking the current that was getting stronger between them.
- I'm going to let you sleep he said, we have to be at the harbour by dawn or even sooner, so we won't miss the boat.
- Ok, see you later…
- See you later
And he got out of the room letting her frustrated that the fire hadn't reach the zenith.
- Tomorrow, tomorrow everything will be in order…
And on that positive note she finished getting ready and went to bed.
♪♪ I'm getting married in the morning…♪♪ she sang in her head.