HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
Chapter 6
"Disturbances in paradise"
Meanwhile in London, the Great Aunt Elroy was spending the summer with her nephews and her niece. But all the nephews were unhappy. They were all thinking about Candy in their own way. But Anthony was the only one to voice his feelings, the others being in love with her in secret, couldn't say anything without raising Anthony's suspicions. Family friends invited them at a barbecue. During the barbecue, there were a lot of young people their age so they were talking of this and that. Eliza was talking to other young girls and friends from school.
- I'm in love with this boy said a girl named Bianca, he's absolutely gorgeous. His father is a duke…
- Really? Asked Louise, where is he? He's he here? I would like to see him
- Me too said Eliza
- Oh, but he's not here, he's on vacations at his father's villa in Scotland near the lake, what a shame! Said Bianca
- And what's the name of your dream boy? Asked Louise
- Terrence G Grandchester… said Bianca with dreamy eyes
Eliza chocked on the juice she was drinking and started to cough repeatedly. Louise was surprised, Terry was in Scotland. She thought he was in London, at his father's. Eliza said to herself if Anthony heard that, he would certainly want to go to Scotland, to be with Candy. But on the other side, if Terry were with Candy in Scotland, maybe he would succeed in seducing her so Anthony would brake up with her. That was great!
The boys heard the rumour that Terrence Grandchester was on vacation in Scotland. Anthony was ghastly.
- You think he lives near the summer school? He asked Stear
- I don't know Anthony, he could be anywhere
- I thought you trusted Candy said Archie
- I don't trust him said Anthony, he's going to try to seduce her…
- But do you trust her or not? Asked Archie
- Yes…
- So all his schemes to seduce him, if there are any, will be null and void…
- I don't know guy, I have a bad feeling…if we could convince Great Aunt to let us to Scotland with the school…
- But Candy's presence is not going to please her at all said Stear
Neil Reagan also heard that Terrence Grandchester was in Scotland near the summer school. He was not happy at all, that the girl he loved was so near that damn Grandchester! He wanted to go to Scotland too. But how do they convince the Great Aunt? He decided to write to his parents and tell them he was bored in London and he wanted to go to Scotland at the summer school.
In Scotland, the girls were totally having a great time. They went to see Terry at his villa one day and they decided to play hide and go seek. Annie started to count and the others went to hide. Candy was looking for somewhere to hide when she saw a door and thought it was a broom closet and she got in, the room was dark. She tried to open the door but she couldn't. She heard someone open the door; it was Terry.
- Terry she whispered, don't close the d…
But Terry already closed the door.
- Super! You locked us up! Said Candy
- What?
- The door doesn't open from the inside, the handle must be broken…
- So, we're in a fine mess! Said Terry, where are you?
- I don't know, where are you? Asked Candy
- Wait, continue talking, I'm going to follow the sound of your voice
- It's so dark in here, for once I regret that your not smoking anymore, you would've had some matches in your pockets
In the mean time, Terry was following the sound of her voice; he was looking for her with his hands in all directions. He finally felt Candy's body, he touched her to make sure it was her, only his hand landed on Candy's breast and he caressed it without wanting to. Candy had a silent moan of pleasure.
- Oh, I'm sorry said Terry
- That's ok, said Candy whose face was bright red, she was glad there were in the dark.
- Did you like it?
- What?
- You know what…
- I don't know what you're talking about…. We're going to stay here for long?
- Your friend will end up opening the door to find us
- Annie? If it were up to her, we would stay here all night…
- Really? I like your friend then…
- What's in this room?
- Old stuff, armours, most of all
- Armours?
- Yes, they say that the spirit of ancient warriors haunts those armours…
- Haunted, it moves by itself?
- Yes…
Candy was going backward and at that moment, she felt something touch her and she was surprised with Terry's stories in her head, she started to scream. She was moving touching a lot of stuff she couldn't see and screamed some more. She ended up in Terry's arms who was trying to calm her.
- Candy, calm down! Calm down! Said Terry, it was a joke!
- A joke? You scared me, you idiot!
Annie was on the other side and had heard them. She decided to leave them alone for a while. Patty arrived and Annie explained to her what was happening.
- You locked them up?
- No, it's like they always find a way to be alone together. All I have to do is to sit down and watch
- You're going to leave them for a long time?
- Oh, the time to visit the villa, we'll come and open the door later…
She went for a walk in the villa, did the landlord tour, without the landlord…
In the darkness of the box room, Candy pulled away from Terry's arms.
- Don't tell me it was to get me to run in your arms, that you scared me… said Candy
- It worked, didn't it?
- Terry, she said softly, you don't need any tricks to get me in your arms, have you ever tried to ask?
- You're not going to laugh at me?
- Why? Because you find me irresistible? I think it's kind of flattering…
- Candy, joke aside, don't mock me, please
- Ask Terry, ask….
- Candy, can I hold you in my arms? He said with an uncertain voice
She reached out with her hands in the dark, and found Terry. He hugged her for a long time. They sat on the floor to wait for Annie.
- You see how simple it is? Said Candy
- It's simple, because we're alone in the dark…
- No Terry… well maybe . But sometimes, simple things have better results. You think that Annie is going to leave us her all night?
- I hope so…
- That's not funny! There are mice here, you think?
- Maybe, after all it's a box room for old stuff
She held him tighter hoping no mice will pass on her.
- It's not a trick anymore, I hope…
- I don't need a trick, you said it yourself
- Annie, I will never forgive you for this!
But she started asking herself if Annie was right. It was like the fate was always putting her on Terry's path. This time they found themselves locked up by chance. All Annie did was leave them there. Was the universe was trying to tell her something? Why did she found herself on vacation in Scotland with Terry instead of being in London, with Anthony and the others? Why was she feeling so good with Terry? Why didn't she feel guilty? She was confused. The sensations she felt with Terry were so delicious, so intense that it would be almost a crime not to take advantage of them. Why was life so complicated? She was taking things slowly with Anthony for a while. Was Annie right? Should she explore her feelings for Terry so they will stop? What if they become stronger instead of going away? There was only one way to find out…
She was locked in a box room with Terry. He was holding her in his arms, she felt secured. She curl up more against him caressing his chest…
- Freckles said Terry softly, do you know what you're doing?
- All this tension is driving me crazy, Terry, all th…
She didn't finish her phrase, Terry took possession of her lips and she answered with passion. It was simpler not to resist. They heard the door open…
- Candy, are you there? Said Annie
They stood up at once and got out of the box room, closing their eyes at first, which were hurting with the daylight, after all that time in the dark.
- Finally Annie! You don't know how to play hide and seek or what? You were suppose to look for the ones that are hiding to win…
- But I looked for you everywhere said Annie innocently
- Yeah right! Said Candy, come on we have to go, the nun are going to look for us
In their bedroom, Candy was silent. She was barely talking and answering with one-syllable words when she was asked a question.
- Candy I'm sorry said Annie, I promise you I won't do anything else to put you together
- Cross my heart, hope to die… said Candy
- Stick a needle in my eye said Annie, but you don't need my help, you seem to make it on your own…
- Come on, let's talk about something else said Patty, there's some mail from the boys…
They started to read the letters from Anthony, Stear an Archibald
- Archie is asking me if Terry is near here…
- So is Stear said Patty
- And Anthony… they must've learn that Terry is here in Scotland
- I bet you anything that they will find a way to come on vacation here said Annie
- It's not that I don't want to see them, but I can do without Neil and Eliza's presence said Candy
- But you want to see the others, don't you? Anthony, Stear, Archie said Annie
- Of course, I miss them a lot said Candy
- Well I'm going to start hanging out with other boys, so if Archie comes, he won't find me alone said Annie
- My God Annie, said Candy, who are you and what have you done to my best friend?
They started laughing and spend the rest of the evening talking.
Two weeks later, in London, the Great Aunt had do leave England for America. Her nephews and her niece had to go to Scotland at summer school, because they didn't want to go to America and come back to Europe again. The boys were glad, the girl was sulking. In Scotland, Candy was there and Anthony won't look at her anymore once he's in Candy's presence.
- I hope we're not too late said Anthony
- Stop thinking like that said Stear
- You're becoming paranoid…said Archie
- I have a bad feeling said Anthony
- That's because Eliza filled your head with suspicions said Archie
- Well I hope you're right
The girls didn't know that the boys were coming; they expected it, without really believing in it. The day was like all the other days. They spend the day near the lake. Annie wasn't joking; she started hanging out with boys. She was flirting with them without doing anything wrong. Terry was part of their day. Since the box room incident, Annie stopped playing matchmakers and let fate take its course. Candy and Terry spent time together when they could. If Terry didn't come by the lake, Candy will go and look for him at the villa. She liked his company so much, that when he wasn't there, she missed him a lot. That day, Terry climbed up a tree and Candy was following him.
- Hurry up, Miss Tarzan! He said
- I'm coming, Terry, I'm coming
She arrived where he was. The wind was blowing and lifted her dress. She sat down quickly, blushing violently.
- Oh my gosh, Freckles… well I guess even Tomboy Candy is a girl after all! He said smiling
- What?
- You're ashamed because the wind lifted your dress, that's cute… Come over here…
She climbed to be next to Terry on the top of the tree.
- Why did you want to climb so high?
- Look at the view from here he said, everything seem so small to our reach
- But it's an illusion, it's practically inaccessible
- It's inaccessible if you say it's inaccessible, everything is possible, Candy even what seems impossible, all you need is the courage and the strength
- That's how I feel when I'm on my Pony hill, I have the feeling I can do everything, that I can do whatever I want, looking from the top of my hill, the world could me mine, if I want it to…
- I would like to see your Pony hill
- I would like to show it to you one day…
A pair of binnacles was looking the two friends on the tree with a murky smile.
- Anthony said Eliza, look at what's on that tree over there…
- What? He said a little irritated
- Look she insisted
Anthony took the binnacles a looked at the tree. His face became livid.
- What is it? Asked Archie taking the binnacles
It was his turn to become livid.
"How could she do this?" he thought
Neil snatched the binnacles from his hands and look too. He felt a twinge in his heart.
" I'm going to kill that Grandchester!" he thought.
Mean while Candy and Terry came down the tree. Terry jumped first and Candy followed him. She almost fell and he caught her at the last minute.
- Wooa, easy Freckles, I know you want me to hug you but…
Candy pulled away and hit him softly.
- Stop saying nonsense she said smiling
- Nonsense? You mean you don't want me?
- I never wanted you, Terrence Grandchester she said running
He ran after her and they played like that, laughing and screaming. The boys were looking at them from a far, he wanted to go get Candy, but…
Annie and Patty were happy to see the boys.
- Where's Candy? Asked Anthony
- She must be talking a walk by the river or in the school yard… said Annie
- Alone? Asked Archie
- I don't know, she could've met other students
She knew there was a big chance that Candy was Terry. She didn't want to alert the boys.
- So, what are you doing here? Asked Patty to change the subject
- Yes we thought that you'd spend all your vacations in London said Annie
- The Great aunt had to go back in America for an emergency said Archie
- So we're going to finish our vacations here said Stear
- Super! Said Patty
- Yes, super said Annie with no big enthusiasm
- Really Annie, don't throw us a party or anything said Archie ironically
- I'm sorry, I'm happy to see you all. I'm going to go get Candy
- Wait, I'm coming with you said Anthony
- But…
- Don't argue, Annie
- Ok, let's go she said, praying inside that they find Candy in a decent position
Candy and Terry were by the lake reading "Romeo and Juliet". They each had a copy of the book and were reading, well Candy was reading, Terry knew the role by heart. He put his book on the grass and continued reciting without looking.
- What if we do the balcony scene with me up the tree? Said Candy
- Great idea, Freckles!
- I'm going to climb on that tree there she said running to the tree
A few moments later she was on the tree and they were reciting Romeo and Juliet Act 2 scene 2:
Juliet Ay, me! Romeo She speaks O speak again bright angel! For thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a winged messenger of heaven Unto the upturn'd wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him, When he bestrides the lazy pacing clouds And sails upon the bosom of the air. Juliet O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Romeo(aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?That was the scene Anthony and Annie found. Annie almost had a sigh of relief. Anthony was of course a little irritated. Candy was with that damn Grandchester! But he didn't want to make a scene the first day, after all, all she was doing is reading Juliet's role. But it was the balcony scene, one of the most romantic scenes of the play. No panic.
- Candy? Called Annie
- Annie! Said Candy stopping her reading, ANTHONY! She cried when she saw him
She came down the tree and ran to hug him. Annie was looking at Terry's reaction, he had a indifferent expression, but Annie knew he was hurt. He left in silence; he didn't want to disturb the lovers. But it took him all the strength of the world to leave the girl he loved in her boyfriend's arms. He didn't want to cause any problem between her and Anthony.
- I've missed you so much said Anthony
- I've missed you too said Candy with a big smile
- Really? Said Anthony, after what I just saw, you didn't seem to be too bored
- Anthony, don't spoil our reunion, please
- Ok, let's go, the others are dying to see you too
- Not Neil and Eliza!
- Eliza, maybe not, but Neil… ever since he invited you to dance, he seems to have a thing for you
- What? You think? God help me!
They started to laugh and went to see the others. Stear and Archie were happy to see Candy, they hugged her.
- So said Candy, the good life in London, bored you?
- It wasn't the same without you said Stear
- Without me? Said Candy, without Patty you mean!
- Euh, yes said Stear blushing
- You made him blushed said Archie
They all started laughing. It was good to be altogether again. They went for a walk by the lake and they had a boat ride. Each couple had their own boat. Eliza wanted to be Anthony but he refused and went with Candy, which forced Eliza to go with a boy named Marshall Harris. Archie was happy to be with Annie. This last one was glad that Archie was after her, but she continued playing the indifferent. Anthony was happy not to see Terry around. He couldn't stand him, because Candy always seemed to be amused by his presence. So he was doing everything to occupy Candy's day so she won't the time to go see Terry. He knew he couldn't forbid her to see him; it would only increase her need to see him. And the last thing he wanted was to throw her in Grandchester's arms!
Terry didn't come near the lake ever since the others have arrived. Candy wanted to see him; she missed him, a lot in fact. She decided she'd go see him after the others were asleep.
Terrence Grandchester was at his father's villa reading. But he couldn't concentrate. He had gotten used to see Candy everyday and they spent a lot of good time together. But as soon as her boyfriend arrived, she ran into his arms, totally forgetting his presence. That had hurt him, it hurt him a lot. After all that they had shared, they had become close. But she belonged to another one… the boyfriend's arrival had brought him back to reality.
In the evening when everybody was asleep, well at least in their rooms, Candy was talking to Annie. Patty was asleep.
- I'm going to see Terry…
- You miss him, don't you? But the doors are closed
- Not the windows, I'm going through there
- Ok, be careful and good luck
- Thanks. See you later!
Candy went out the window and walked to the Grandchester's villa. She knocked at the door. No answer. She opened the door, which was unlocked. She got in and went to the living room. She got in and saw Terry sitting in front of the chimney. She remembered the day they took the rest of the world and "pinned it on the wall with a nail". She felt so good with him.
- Good evening she said
Terry was startled and he turned around.
- Candy! He said surprised
- How are you?
- Do you care?
- Terry
- Your boyfriend is occupying all your time…
- Why don't you come near the lake anymore?
- I have stuff to do! He said with anger
Truth be told, to see Candy and Anthony together made him suffer, so he'd rather not be there.
- But I wanted to continue the rehearsals for Romeo and…
- I'll manage myself; I don't need your help! He interrupted
She knew he was mad because of Anthony's arrival, so she didn't let his anger win her over.
- You rather stay here alone moping? Ok. I'm sorry I just wanted you to join us, that's all. I sorry if I disturbed you.
She turned around to leave, sad about the cold welcome she got.
Terry didn't even turned around to see her go. He was happy to see her, but he didn't want to show it. She was with another one all day, she wasn't taking care of him anymore. But you had to admit that it was hard for her to take care of him, if she didn't see him near the lake. What was he doing? She came to see him, which means she missed him…
- Candy, wait! He said running after her
He caught up with her at the villa's entrance.
- I'm sorry he said, I don't know what came over me…
- The green monster of jealousy? She said smiling
- Me? Jealous? Never! He joked
- Don't say never… So I'll see you tomorrow by the lake, Romeo?
- Ok, Juliet. But don't expect me to become friends with your boyfriends and his cousins
- Don't worry there's no danger on their part either. See you tomorrow. Good night.
- Good night Freckles.