HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE…
Chapter 5
"Scottish vacation"
In Candy's room, the girls were talking.
- The party was great, said Patty
- Magnificent, said Annie
- Did you make Archie walk for long? Asked Candy
- And it worked, he hadn't… what am I saying? He never ran after me before
- Thanks for the diversion, said Candy
- The pleasure was all mine. What are friends for? We have to help each other. I know you would've done the same for me.
- You're a good friend Annie
- It's my turn to help you. You've always protected me since childhood
Patty went to the washroom.
- How was it? Asked Annie
- What?
- The kiss…
- You saw us?
- I saw everything and I'm the one who fixed you make up, remember? And I'm feeling that this one is not "fine" but "wonderful"
- I don't want to think about it… it's too complicated. My head was saying "no" and my body was saying "yes"… I wanted him to kiss me so much…
- Candy…
Patty came out of the washroom.
- By the way, you'll never guess what! Neil Reagan wanted to dance with me, said Candy
- What? Not possible! What got into him?
- He too fell under your charm, said Annie
- Oh, his attention, I can do without, I assure you, said Candy
- What did you tell him? Asked Patty
- I blew him off…, said Candy laughing
- The contrary would have surprised me, said Annie laughing too
- I wonder what Eliza is going to think when she learns that, said Patty
- Patty, let's go to bed… see you tomorrow, said Annie
- Ok, good night Candy, said Patty
- Good night
The boys were talking in their room.
- What? Said Archie, Neil wanted to dance with Candy?
- Yes, I still can't believe it, said Anthony. Did you see Annie?
- She avoided me like I smelled. But I was able to dance with her
- Patty and I danced a lot, said Stear
- That's good, I'm happy for you said Anthony. I'm going to bed, are you coming?
- In a minute, said Archie
Anthony left the room and Archie stayed alone with his brother.
- You saw Candy dance with Grandchester? Said Archie
- Well, it would be ridiculous to assume that because the play is over, they won't talk to each other again, said Stear
- I know but I think it's what Anthony thinks, said Archie
- We'll have to prepare him
- We'll see that tomorrow. Let's go to bed
Candy in her bed was thinking about the day. The play, the party, the kiss. She blamed herself for letting Terry kiss her. But it was one of the most beautiful thing in the world for her. She also thought about Neil who wanted to dance with her. What got into him? It was weird, very weird. Well that will have to wait, for now, she had to sleep.
Terry in his bed was also thinking about the day. The play was a triumph. The play, he felt good on stage, playing the role of Clitandre, it was great. He wanted to do that all his life. He had certainly inherited of the "acting gene" from his mother. His mother, she was in America, she refused to take him in, forcing him to return to England. On the boat, he had met Candy and he fell in love with her. There's a silver lining for everything. But Candy was not available, she was with another. Anthony… what did she see in him? She loved him, he was sure of it. She responded to his kisses with passion. Candy… he loved her, he was crazy in love with her.
School was almost over and the summer vacations were getting closer. The great aunt Elroy did the trip to London to spend the summer with her nephews and her niece. She, of course, had no intention to see Candy among them. The college was organizing summer vacation in Scotland for those who wanted to. Candy didn't get any new from Georges or Uncle William. She knew the Great aunt wouldn't want her so she wanted to sign up for the vacations in Scotland with the school. Anthony wanted Candy to come with them, but she refused.
- No Anthony, I don't want to spend the next two months to be treated with indifference. At least the nuns will be concerned about my presence.
- But Candy, you're going to be alone…
- No, I think Annie and Patty are coming
- The Great Aunt his taking us to our villa in London
- You're going to spend the summer there
- With my cousins
Stear and Archie arrived at that moment.
- Candy, you're not coming with us? Asked Archie
- No, I'm going to Scotland
- Why? Asked Stear
- Why? Asked Candy, you really need to ask me that?
- But you're family said Archie
- Not according to the Great Aunt said Candy
- I want to come to Scotland with you said Anthony
- So the Great Aunt will blame me? No, thanks, Anthony
- I going to miss you said Anthony
- I'm going to miss you too, I'm going to miss all of you said Candy hugging them, one by one
Neil was happy to stay in London with The Great Aunt, but when he learned that Candy was not coming, but going to Scotland, he was disappointed. Eliza was glad; she will have Anthony all to herself without Candy to distract him.
Candy Annie and Patty had the same room in Scotland and were glad.
- I think that we're going to spend the whole night talking said Candy
- But I'm said for Stear, I'm going to miss him
- We're going to miss them all said Candy
- You know where Terry is? Asked Annie
- Non, after the party, I was avoiding him said Candy blushing
- Candy… said Annie
- Annie, my life was perfect before that night on the boat…
- Life is not that easy, Candy, you know it. Our parents abandoned us, we were raised in an orphanage… life doesn't become simpler growing up, it becomes complicated…
- Annie, you're not helping at all…
- Your feelings for Terry won't go away…
- So be it! Said Candy, let's talk about something else. What's today's program?
They spent the day, reading and talking, playing running walking. Annie and Patty were tired. They decided to go get some rest in their room. Candy stayed alone and decided to climb trees. She was on top of a tree when she heard someone say;
- Miss Tarzan?
Candy couldn't believe it. It was Terry's voice.
- Terry?
- In the flesh!
- What are you doing here?
- My father's villa is not too far from here, this is where I spend my vacations, what about you? You came with the college?
- Yes…
- And your little group…?
- I'm with Annie and Patty…
- No boyfriend he said with a mocking smile
She jumped on the ground and landed next to Terry who caught her and took advantage to hug her.
- I missed you….
Candy didn't say anything, too surprised to react. She pulled away from him
- I have to go, the nuns are going to look for me… bye
She left there running. She arrived in the room breathless.
- Candy? Said Patty, are you all right?
- You looked like you've seen a ghost…said Annie
- Almost… said Candy, I just saw Terry…
- What! Here in Scotland? Asked Annie
- Yes, his father's villa is not too far from here. He's on vacation
- Candy said Annie, it's fate…
- Fate?
- Yes, fate is putting you in contact again, the both of you. You're made for each other
- Annie, stop that, please
- They say the person you're with at midnight on the New Year, is the person you're destined to be with… you were with Terry…
- That's romantic said Patty
- No, I'm with Anthony…
- I know you love Anthony said Annie, take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with Terry. The boys are not here to fight. You will be free…
Candy remained silent. The boys were not there, Terry was there; she didn't have to declare her feelings, but spend time with him… why not?
- You're right Annie, I don't see why I should deprive myself of Terry's pleasant company, after all, what are vacations for?
- So you're going to do it? Asked Annie
- I'm not going to declare my love for him, but I'm going to spend time with him and you too I hope. Ok?
- Ok, said Patty
Candy went in the bathroom to change. Annie and Patty stayed alone.
- Patty, every time an opportunity present itself, we are going to leave them alone…
- But, what if she realises it?
- She's going to thank us later, you'll see, she loves Terry and it's the only way to show her that.
The vacations were going fine, even great. The girls spend a lot of time with Terry. At every opportunity, Annie and Patty left them alone. They played blind man's buff and when it was Candy's turn to guess, they pushed Terry in her arms. If Terry was surprised, he was not less pleased. At Terry's turn, they pushed Candy into Terry's arm.
Terry a lot of his time reading a lot of Shakespear and Molière which interest him ever since the play in school. Candy took one of his books and saw a lot of underlined pages.
- You like theatre a lot; you want to become an actor?
- I think so… well I know that the play in school showed me that I would like doing that everyday
- It's good that you know what to do with your life, I don't know what I would like to do yet… what are we learning in that college again?…oh yes, to become a "lady"! Like that's going to fulfill my life!
- To be a wife and taking care of the house is not your dream?
- You're kidding me, right? Do you see me as a "be beautiful and shut up"?
- In any case, you don't how to shut up, I can testify to that…
- Terry!
- What? It's the truth; you don't know how to shut up…
- And you know how to shut up?
Terry stood up and started to run and Candy followed him laughing. Annie and Patty were watching the scene from a far, smiling.
- It's working, Patty, it's working!
Terry went back to his place for diner and he forgot his book. Candy found the books and opened them. She saw a picture of Eleonor Baker, a famous actress. The boys all had pictures of her. She read the dedication on the picture. " To my son Terrence, I love you" "My son"? Terry was Eleonor Baker's son? He never said anything and certainly didn't want to talk about it. She decided to bring him his books back before going back to the dorm. She went to the Grandchester's Manor, the gate was opened. She saw a big manor. She heard voices screaming.
- …you didn't want me! You sent me away"!
- But Terry, I am…
It was Terry with a woman. Candy came closer and saw Terry discussing with Eleonor Baker, his mother. How dare he talk to his mother like that?
- Go back to where you came from! He screamed, and leave me alone!
- Terry let me a chance …
- NO!
- TERRY! Cried Candy, stop! How could you talk to our mother like that? It's your mother! You have one! I would give anything to have my mother come and see me, anything! And you have one and you treat her that way? You should be ashamed of yourself! You must reconcile with you mother.
- Candy! Said Terry
- I'm sorry she said confused with tears in her eyes, I just wanted to bring your books back.
She gave him his book and ran away from there.
- Candy, wait! Said Terry
But Candy was not listening, she continued running without a look back. Terry had to reconcile with his mother. He was lucky to have one that loved her. She was abandoned in front of an orphanage…She went back to her room and ran to the bathroom, before her friends could say anything.
- Candy, are you all right? Asked Annie a the bathroom's door
- I'm fine Annie, I have something in my eye, that's all, I'm fine.
She washed her face and her eyes and had a good face for her friends. She couldn't talk about Terry's mother.
The next day, she found Terry sitting near the lake, reading.
- Hi, said Candy
- Freckles, are you ok?
- I'm fine, and you?
- Very well, because of you, I'm very well. I've reconciled with my mother
Candy had a sigh of relief.
- I'm happy for you she said softly
- Thanks, Freckles; I can be a snotty-nosed little kid, sometimes…
- Sometimes? She said smiling
- Ok, often, but I needed someone to bring me back to reality…
- You're very welcome, Terry
Annie and Patty arrived at that moment.
- Candy, do you want to come on the rowboat with us?
- Why not? Terry?
- Ok.
They went on the rowboat and did a few turns. At one point Annie stood up.
- Annie sit down said Candy you're going to make us fall over
Candy was sitting next to Terry.
- I have something in my clothes said Annie, Candy, help me!
- But…
Candy stoop up too and the rowboat started to move.
- Freckles, you're going to fall… said Terry
Annie started to move in all directions, the thing in her clothes was itching her and she started screaming. Candy was trying to help her, but Annie continued moving.
- Annie stop moving! Said Candy
But Annie continued moving in all directions making Candy lose her balance; Terry stoop up to hold on to her and they both fell in the water in a big splash! Patty and Annie screamed, powerless, their two friends were already in the water. Annie finally found what was bugging her, it was a little ladybug.
- You have to make a wish before setting it free, she said closing her eyes and blew on the ladybug that flew away
Meanwhile, Candy and Terry were in the water trying to get out. Candy felt a cramp paralysing her leg. She couldn't swim anymore!
- Terry! Terry! Help! I have a cramp she said trying not to sink
- I'm coming Candy he said turning back
He swam towards her and to her to hold on to him, what she did and he brought her back to shore. He carried her to the grass and put her down.
- How's your leg? Terry asked
- Still a little painful, but it's passing… thank you very much Terry
- The pleasure was all mine, Freckles
Annie and Patty arrived running.
- Are you all right Candy Asked Patty
- I'm sorry said Annie, it's my fault
- No, Annie, I'm fine, I just soaking wet…
- You can come to my father's villa to change and dry yourself, it's closer than the your dorm
- No said Candy I'll be fine
- Candy go ahead said Annie, you can catch a cold
- Yes said Patty it wouldn't be good if you get sick…
- Ok, let's go Terry said Candy
She started to walk with Terry. She turned to her two friends.
- You're not coming? She asked surprised
- Oh no. We have to go write our parents said Annie, right Patty?
- Yes and I also have to write my mother said Patty
Candy gave them a sceptical look and continued her way. She was wondering if Annie and Patty were telling the truth. Once at the Grandchester manor, Terry took her to one of the rooms and gave her a pink silk robe.
- My mother left this for you, said Terry
- Oh, thank you, it's very beautiful
She took the robe and closed the door when Terry got out. She took her wet clothes and underpants. She looked around the room and saw a bathroom, she got in took a shower and washed her body and her beautiful blond hair. When she was done, she dried herself with a towel and put on the robe and a towel around her head for her wet hair. She found a brush and started to detangle her hair. She looked for her clothes, she couldn't find them anywhere. When she was done brushing her hair, she put on some slippers she had found in the room, got out and went down the stairs to look for Terry, She found him in the leaving room in front of the chimney, where there was a burning fire.
- Terry?
- Candy, are you ok? Asked Terry
- Yes, thanks, I can't find my clothes…
- There here, I brought them here so they will dry faster near the warmth of the fire
- Oh… thanks.
She went to sit next to Terry in front of the chimney.
- What a day! Said Terry and the fall in the water… here's some hot honey-lemon tea
- Thanks. It's good she said after taking a sip. I'm wondering if it was not a set up…
- A set up by whom?
- No, never mind. It's pouring outside all of a sudden
- Yes. You should wait for the rain to stop before going back to the dorm. Do you have news from your boyfriend?
- Euh, no, not at all
- Do you miss him?
- Of course
In reality, she didn't have the time to think too much about the boys who weren't with them. She was having so much fun… Terry was looking at her, her hair was down, wet and she was very attractive in his mother's pink robe.
- I like your hair down like this on your shoulders said Terry with a soft voice
- Thanks said Candy who didn't really know what to say
- You are so attractive…
- Terry, please down start… I'm with Anthony
- Candy, just for now, can you not pronounce the name of your boyfriend?
- But…
- There's only the two of us for now, we can take the rest of the world and pin it to the wall with a nail and just at the two of us… please?
The rain outside was still going strong, there thunders and lightning now. She was drinking the tea and was sitting in front of the chimney with Terry. She felt good, really good.
- Ok, let's forget about the rest of the world for now she said not too sure of herself, there's only the of us in the world, what do you want, Terry?
- I want to touch your wet hair he said touching it.
Candy had a chill and came closer to him. He put his arms around her shoulders. Candy put her head on Terry's chest. They stayed like that for a while, savouring the warmth of the chimney and their body. They started to talk about all and nothing and laughed with all their hearts.
- Your clothes are almost dry…
- I'm going to put them on…
- I said "almost", it's not ready yet. I want to stay like this forever Candy. I'm so happy when I'm with you.
- I'm feeling good too, Terry
Candy turned around, she still had Terry's arms around her shoulders, and she put her lips on Terry's mouth, who was totally caught off guard by the gesture. He took her without stopping kissing her, and laid her on the floor and started caressing her. Candy was feeling new sensations; her body was thirsty to know more, she was taken into a tornado of passion. The kiss lasted for a while, when they finally stop, they were breathless. Candy stood up, took her clothes and went to the bedroom to change. She came back with the robe in her hands.
- We can now take the nail off of the rest of the world. Thank you for every thing, Terry. I have to go before the nuns have an APB out on me. See you tomorrow
She left before he could saw a word. He was perplexed. What just happened?
Candy went back to her room with an unpleasant look. Her friends were wondering what happened with Terry. She still had her hair down and a little wet.
- Candy? Said Annie, are you ok?
- I'm fine, Annie. But that doesn't bother you that I was alone with Terry, does it?
- What do you mean?
- Come on, Annie, ever since we're here, you practically threw me in Terry's arms at every occasion you find.
- Ok, said Annie, but its for your own good…
- My own good? You throw me in the arms of a boy I have a thing for, if we could call it like that, and you said it's for my own good? You want to ruin me or what?
- No Candy, I want your happiness, you're happy with Terry. Tell Anthony the truth
- For the thousandth time Annie, there is no way! I'm with Anthony and I will stay with Anthony… Terry is just a bump in the road…
- Oh Candy! Said Annie
The following days, the vacation continued like nothing happened. Terry was behaving with her like the kiss never happened.