HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE…
Chapter 3
« Escapade in London »
The following days, Candy spent a lot less time on her "pretend Pony hill" and that ruined Eliza's plans to trap her. Candy spent as much more time as possible with Anthony and the others. The fifth Sunday came, when all the students or most of them went to meet their parents. The Great Aunt Elroy was in London and of course didn't want to see Candy.
- If you're not going, then so am I, said Anthony
- No, Anthony said Candy, the Great Aunt is going to blame me for your absence. You go. I will stay here to study my role. I'll be fine.
- Are you sure you're going to be all right?
- Yes, go and have fun
Candy went to her pretend Pony Hill to learn her lines. Everybody was gone. She is going to take advantage of the calm to learn her role and write letters to Miss Pony and the others. She was on her hill for about half an hour…
- Long time no see! Said Terry's voice
She had avoided him these last weeks. She didn't come to her pretend Pony hill, because she was afraid of seeing Terry. But all that was for nothing, she still thought about Terry. And to see him after all that time; she was surprised to be happy to see him.
- How are you? Asked Candy, you didn't go see your parents?
- I'm fine, and if you knew my parents, you wouldn't ask that question
- Ok…
- What about you?
- I'm an orphan, remember?
- Oh, but your group of friends, your cousins? They are gone…
- They have family…
- Didn't that family adopt you?
- Not the members that came here in London…
- Oh, sorry. You want to go out with me?
- Out? Where?
- We can go to the zoo…
- Get out of the school? But it's forbidden!
- Forbidden, is my second name… so are you coming with me or not?
Candy hesitated a little. Get out of the school with Terry? It was certainly better than to stay there and read her role for the thousandth time.
- I'm coming she said
- We'll have to jump the fence…
- You nicknamed me "Miss Tarzan", didn't you? She said smiling
They jumped the fenced of the school and find themselves in the street. They took a coach to the London zoo. In the coach, Terry finally asked the question Candy was afraid of.
- I haven't seen you these last weeks, are you avoiding me?
- I was spending time with my friends…
- With your lover boy, you mean? I thought I was your friend too…
- You are, it's just that…
- What, what Candy? What's happening? Are you afraid of me? Are you afraid your boyfriend sees us together?
- Am not afraid of anybody, and I'm free to be friend with whomever I want…
- So you promise not to avoid me anymore?
- That will be easy with the repetitions for the play "Clitandre" she said smiling
- Yes, my dear "Henriette", it would be rather difficult he said smiling
They continued their way talking about this and that. Candy was happy that Terry didn't insist on the reasons for which she was avoiding him. She couldn't tell him that she couldn't stop thinking about him and that she loved Anthony. That would be too humiliating especially if Terry didn't share her feelings. But something was telling her that he had a thing for her…
At the zoo, they met Mr. Albert, the friend Candy thought was still in America. She ran towards him and hugged him.
- Mr. Albert! You here? I thought you were in America!
- Hello Candy said Albert smiling, I work here at the London zoo
- Really?
- Hello, said Terry
- Hello said Albert, how are your wounds?
- Completely healed said Terry
- You know each other? Asked Candy stunned
- Albert helped me the day I was wounded, he's the one who made a mistake with the rooms
- You're the one that brought Terry in my room?
- That was your room? I'm sorry for the confusion. I didn't know you two knew each other either
- Everybody went to see their families for the fifth Sunday except Terry and I. So we ran away for the day
- My God, you two are a rebellious couple! Said Albert laughing. I have to go back to work. If I don't see you anymore, see you next time!
He left them to go back to work. Candy and Terry had a great day. They looked at he animals in the cages, and were making faces and laughing out loud. They ate candies and fruits and drank fruit juice. At one time, they saw a little girl who was crying.
- Oh, why are you crying? Asked Candy
- I lost my mummy! Said the little girl
- Oh, come on, stop crying. I'm going to help you find your mother. What's your name?
- Cassandra
- Cassandra, that's a very pretty name said Candy. My name is Candy and this is Terry
Terry was looking at her and he felt his heart filling with joy. She was, not only beautiful, fun but also full of compassion. But she was not free…!
- Come said Terry, let's see if we can find your mummy
He took her right hand and Candy took her left hand, and they started to walk with the little girl in the middle of them. Candy was singing with the little girl and was making her jump by pulling her up with the help of Terry. The little girl was laughing out loud. After a few minutes, they found the little girl's mother who was very worried.
- Mummy! Said Cassandra running to he
- Cassandra! Said the mommy taking her in her arms
Candy and Terry were smiling.
- Thank you very much said the mummy, may God bless you!
- You're very welcome said Candy, you have an adorable little girl. Bye Cassandra
- Bye Candy, bye Terry said Cassandra
- Bye said Terry
The little girl left in her mummy's arms.
- We have to go, the others are going to start coming back to school
- Ok, said Candy
They went back to College and went to sit on the pretend Pony hill.
- Thanks Terry, thank you for this beautiful day
- It was a pleasure he said. I thought it was better than to spend the day sleeping and reading. You want to rehearse our role? We still have a few hours of light ahead of us
- Ok, Clitandre, let's do it
They started to recite their role and Candy realised how much Terry was talented as an actor.
- Wow, Terry, you're talented!
- I love theatre, but mostly Shakespear. But Molière, that's new for me, the French comedy, it's fun
- Could you give me some advice?
- Of course
They rehearsed for a while. They forgot about the rest of the world. Terry was laughing at Candy's mistakes and she followed him running after him to hit him softly laughing.
Eliza Reagan was watching them from a far, too happy by the dream vision she had in front of her. She ran to see her brother as fast as she could.
- Neil, she said arriving breathless, that's it! They are together. Go plant a seed of suspicion in Anthony's ear!
- What, now? Said Neil a little irritated, but I…
- Yes, now! We don't have time to loose! Go, run, quick!
Neil who refused nothing to his sister, went against his will. He found his three cousins talking with Annie and Patty
- Poor Candy who had to spend the day alone in school said Anthony
- She must be bored to death!
- With Grandchester around? Said Neil arriving, I don't think so…
- What do you mean? Asked Anthony with anger
- Grandchester almost beat me up to defend Candy…
- What are you insinuating? Asked Anthony pushing him brutally
- Hey easy said Neil, don't kill the messenger, it's not my fault if you beloved is cheating on you…!
- Neil… started Stear
- She's with Grandchester now said Neil, she's a little slut!
Neil got a punch on his face; Stear and Archie had to separate them to stop the fight.
- You think I'm lying? Cried Neil, go see her with him on the hill behind the school!
Annie and Patty were worried, Candy confided in them, they knew Neil was telling the truth just to mess things up between Candy and Anthony.
- Ok, I'm going to go see, said Anthony and if you are lying, I will come back and finish the job of hitting you!
Anthony ran to the back of the school, followed by the girls and his cousins.
Meanwhile, Candy and Terry continued their rehearsal and their games laughing not knowing what was happening. Candy fell on the grass and she had leaves all over her.
- You're covered with leaves, freckles, wait, I'm going to help you get clean…
- No, said Candy, don't come near me… and she ran behind the tree.
He ran after her and caught her and, both of them fell on the ground laughing. Terry started to take the leaves off Candy's hair.
- Are you sure you are not putting some more? Said Candy laughing
- If you stop moving, maybe they'll be less leaves, freckles.
They continued laughing and that was the scene Anthony and the others saw. Eliza was hiding and was rejoicing inside. Anthony was pale and the others were stunned. Annie and Patty didn't expect this kind of scene.
- CANDY! Cried Anthony
Candy and Terry stopped laughing. Candy turned around and saw Anthony and the others looking at them. She wanted to burry herself! Not because she felt guilty, but because Anthony had found her with Terry. And Anthony was very jealous! Don't panic, she was doing nothing wrong…nothing wrong? She was having fun with a friend.
- Anthony? She said standing, you're back…
Anthony was looking at her with anger. She went near him and he took her by the shoulder and shook her violently.
- How could you cheat on me like this? He said
- Cheat on you? She asked confused, but I…
He was shaking her more. Terry arrived and stood between Candy and Anthony separating them.
- Let go of her! Said Terry
- Mind your own business! Said Anthony
- It is my business! Said Terry
- You bastard, find your own girlfriend!
They were about to fight. Stear and Archie jumped on Terry and they were holding his arms, stopping him from defending himself. Anthony took advantage of the moment to punch him on the face and on the stomach.
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Cried Candy, STOOOOPPP!
She went and stood between Terry and Anthony and received a punch meant for Terry on her face.
- Candy! Cried Annie and Patty
- Oh my God! Said Anthony
Candy had the impression that the whole world was falling on her. She was a little dizzy. She was angry now.
- Oh Candy, said Anthony, excuse-me. You see? I forbid you to see this guy in the future…
- You forbid me? You forbid me? You've got to be kidding me! What era do you think this is, the inquisition? Anthony, what came into you? Why all this violence?
- You were with him…
- So what? He's a friend! A friend! I can have friends, right, that's ok, with you? She said ironically
- That's why you're always defending him, right? Said Anthony
- Let go of me! Said Terry to Stear and Archie, three against one…
- I don't need to listen to this! Said Candy. Let go of him! She said to Stear and Archie, come on Terry, let's leave this place full of violence…
- Candy said Annie, wait…
Candy picked up her books and took Terry by the arm and left. Eliza had seen the scene from afar and couldn't have been happier that at that moment. It was even better than she had hoped. Candy and Anthony had broken up or they were on their way to split Ville. Anthony, his cousins and the girls, returned to the dorm. Annie and Patty couldn't believe was had just happened.
- Oh my God said Patty, I didn't expect that!
- It was a trap said Annie, Neil came just a the right moment to plant the seed of doubt in Anthony's ear …
- I bet you anything that Eliza is behind that! Oh Candy, I hope you know what you're doing…
Anthony and his cousins were in their bedroom. They were still stunned by the events of the evening.
- How could she have done this to me? Asked Anthony
- Euh, Anthony said Stear I know you don't want to hear this, but she wasn't doing anything wrong…
- How could you say that?
- Well said Archie, you have to say that Neil came just a right time to tell you that Candy was cheating on you…
- But she was with him!
- Yes. She was alone and we were all gone… she must have been bored said Stear
- That Grandchester kept her company, they probably spent the whole time studying their role said Archie
- Neil set a trap for you and you fell right into it! Said Stear
- His sister probably sent him so she won't get her hands dirty
- I don't care, she was with Grandchester…
- It's because she was having fun that's your mad? Asked Stear, you would rather have found her bored to death all day?
- Listen, Candy loves you, she loves you. You're going to lose her if you continue with your jealousy
Anthony didn't answer, too angry to think about something else. Candy had betrayed him. He went to bed.
Stear and Archie stayed alone and were talking.
- What do you think about the situation? Asked Archie
- Apparently, I think like you said his brother
- He's going to lose her and send her right into Grandchester's arms!
Candy was in her suite with Terry. She was helping him with the bruises due to the punches he'd received. She, herself had a wet towel on her left cheek, where she received Anthony's punch.
- What a day! Said Terry
- I don't feel like joking said Candy still mad
- Come on Freckles, you defended me….
- I don't like violence, they were three against one
- But standing up to your boyfriend…
- He had no right to hit you. But, don't get me wrong, I love Anthony and I want to be with him.
- He doesn't even trust you…
- In his place you would've thought the same thing…
- In his place, I wouldn't have showed my violent side to my girlfriend…
- Whatever! Such a nice day that finished so badly…
- I'm going to go Miss Tarzan, I'll see you in rehearsals…
- Terry, thank you for this beautiful day
- The pleasure was all mine, Freckles…
Terry got out by the window of her bedroom. There was a knock at her door. Candy went to open, and saw Annie and Patty.
- Candy we come in? Asked Annie
- Of course said Candy, come in, come in
- Are you all right? Asked Patty
- You're not hurting too much? Asked Annie
- No, I'm fine said Candy, I'm sad that's all. I'm going to have a bruise tomorrow morning…
- Don't worry, I have a foundation that will fix that, you're thinking about Anthony Asked Annie
- Why was he so violent?
- Neil came and told him that you were cheating on him with Terry… said Patty
- Neil? Eliza must be behind that… said Candy
- That's what we think too said Annie
- Oh Annie, it doesn't matter! Anthony doesn't trust me…
- Candy, he found you laughing on the ground in Terry's arms said Annie, what did you want him to think?
- Ok. But he should've trusted me! Terry is a friend; he didn't go see his family so… he kept me company. What's the harm? Anthony wanted me to be alone and bored to death?
- Oh, Candy, I have something for you said Patty. I'm going to get it in my bedroom…
- Bring also my make up bag, Patty said Annie
She went out to go to her bedroom to get Candy's present and Annie's make up bag.
- Candy, said Annie, do you have a thing for Terry?
- Why are you asking me that?
- You're answering me with a question, which confirm my suspicions…
- What suspicions?
- You love Terry!
- Oh Annie!
- I'm right, am I?
- I love Anthony and I want to be with him, but… I can't get Terry out of my head…
- Candy…
- No. It's not what you think. He's a friend, that's all, nothing else. He defended me against Neil and his friends…
- That's all? Insisted Annie
Candy wanted to talk to her about the kiss, but she didn't know if she should. She had to confide in somebody.
- Promise me that you won't say anything to anybody…
- Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye…
- On the boat that was taking me here, it was New Year's Eve. I was with George, Uncle William's assistant. There was a party and I drank a glass of champagne at once because I was thirsty
- Wow, your head must have been spinning…
- You have no idea! And I added a few sips of a second glass. I went outside to get some fresh air. I saw a young man who was watching the ocean. He seemed sad. I approached him t see if he was all right. When I arrived near him, he looked at me and said I had freckles. It was midnight, it was the New Year, so, before I was able to answer, he took me in his arms and kissed me on the lips…
- What?
- I didn't know what to do, and I couldn't talk, I was stunned and I surprised myself responding to the kiss and I put my arms around his neck…
- Candy…
- I know… but my head was spinning and it was the New Year, people around us were laughing and kissing… When he finally stopped, he wished me a happy New Year. George arrive and took me to my cabin and the young man left.
- That young man was…
- Terrence Grandchester
- Oh, my God, Candy!
- I know. I thought I would never see him again, but once here…
- He defended you, you talk to him from time to time
- And I can't get him out of my head!
- How was the kiss?
- Annie!
- What? I want to know…
- I was a little dizzy, but it was… wonderful!
- Candy, do you want Terry or Anthony?
Patty arrived with a packet for Candy. It was a box with brushes, combs, and ribbons for hair. She also had Annie's make up bag.
- Thank you Patty said Candy kissing her, you're very generous
- It's to cheer you up. Since you stayed here alone… well you know what I mean…
- This is the foundation, put some on your bruise tomorrow and no one will be the wiser! We have to go Patty, before the controls starts said Annie. Are you ok, Candy?
- Yes. I'm fine. See you tomorrow morning. Thanks again for the present and the makeup.
Candy had an agitated night… She woke up in sweat… her jaw was hurting. All those events had upset her. Anthony, Terry… Was Annie right? Was she in love with Terry? She had spent a nice day with Terry and the rehearsal was a pleasure. No, she loved Anthony and she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. But Terry aroused in her all those strange emotions… No, she must not think about that. She went back to bed and fell asleep until dawn.