HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
Chapter 11
"When spring will blossom again…"
The big day finally arrived. Finally. Anthony came to pick Candy up at the hospital.
- Hello said Anthony, you're very pretty…is that for me or for your actor?
- Anthony, if you want to know, I can't stay for the reception, I have to go back to the hospital at 9:00 pm, so I won't be able to talk to Terry.
- What a pity! He said a little disappointed
- You wanted to show off with me like Eliza said? We are not together Anthony… well it's not important, because I won't be there anyway.
He was disappointed, but not too much. He wanted to show off with Candy in front of Terry but… Candy and Terry won't see each other. He had a sigh of relief.
At the theatre, they went to the family lodge. Eliza wanted to talk, but Anthony gave her the look. The Great Aunt Elroy didn't say anything, so Anthony won't be disappointed.
The tree knocks were heard; the play started. The play was great. When Terry got on the scene, Candy saw him for the first time since that fateful night in the barn at St. Paul. Since it was dark in the lodge, Anthony couldn't see Candy's love expression. She was crying of joy and sadness because she won't be able to see him at the reception. Once the play was over, people were leaving to go to the reception.
- I have to go, said Candy
- Are you sure, sweetie? Said Annie sorry for her friend
- Yes. I'm sure. Bye everybody!
She went back to the hospital the heart in shambles, just in time to change and to go to work.
- Thanks Julie she said to her colleague
- You missed the reception? I'm sorry…
- No, I'm happy I saw him even if it was only son stage and from afar and that's because of you. Thanks Julie, she said hugging her. Have a nice trip!
Meanwhile, at the reception, Candy's friends were grouped in a corner of the room. Eliza was looking at Terry with new eyes.
"He's so handsome she thought to herself, and he as incredible on scene. That idiot of Candy has really good taste…"
She approached him; Susanna Marlowe was there too.
- Good evening, Terrence she said with a sensual voice
Terry was a little surprised to see her. He decided to tease her.
- Do I know you? Wait, your face seem familial… oh yes, the stables…
Eliza was not happy. How dare he treat her like that?
- You bastard! She said going away.
Terry saw Candy's friends and approached them, even though Anthony was there.
- Good evening to all, he said, thanks for coming…
- Hi Terry, said Annie kissing him on the cheek
- Good evening Terry, said Patty doing the same
The boys looked at them and they did a head sign.
- Grandchester… said Archie
- Cornwells, Brown said Terry
- Grandchester. You must be proud of yourself said Anthony…
- For the play? Asked Terry
- Your big sacrifice…
- Don't thank me or anything!
- I never asked you anything!
- I didn't do it for you!
- That's right! It was for her! Did you like it, running after my girlfriend? Fortunately, you won't see her tonight…
- Where is she? Did you hide her? You're afraid I'm going to steal her again?
- That's none of your concern said Archie, you have your colleague to occupy you, it didn't take you long to forget about her…
Terry wanted to react by a hand stopped him
- Terry, said Annie taking him far away from the boys, come and say hello to my parents.
Susanna had assisted to the scene without really understanding what it was about. It seemed they were talking about a girl and Terry seemed really interested by that girl. Who was she? She looked at him with Annie who was still holding his arm and she felt a twinge in her heart. She just realised that Terry had a past and maybe a girl he was already in love with.
Annie introduced Terry to her parents, indeed.
- Mom. Dad, this Terrence Grandchester, he was with us at St.Paul
- Good evening, said Mr and Mrs Brighton
- Good evening, said Terry
- You're very talented said Mr. Brighton
- You were in school with Annie? Said Mrs. Brighton
- Thank you and yes
- It's nice of you to remember her said Mrs Brighton
- We were good friends, said Terry
- Just good friends? asked Mr. Brighton
- Yes, said Annie, just good friends, he liked Candy, not me!
- Well you have good taste either way said Mr. Brighton
They all started laughing. Annie and Terry continued talking after they left her parents.
- Thanks Annie, said Terry, your boyfriend gets on my nerves sometimes…
- The pleasure was all mine said Annie smiling
- How is she? He finally asked
- She was here, but she had to go back to the hospital…
- The hospital? Is she ok? He asked worried
- Yes, she's fine. She's at the hospital as a nurse, not as a patient
- Nurse? She's a nurse he said with a dreamy look. I know she confided in you…
Annie nodded; she wanted to do everything to help the two lovebirds
- Can you tell me where she is? He asked
- She's at St. Joan's hospital said Annie
- Thanks Annie he said kissing her on the cheek.
He left the reception quietly. He took a cab and went to St. Joan's hospital.
Candy had just finished with the paper work of the evening. Julie did most of it. She then went on round to make sure everybody was fine on her floor, which was the ground floor. She went back to her seat behind the desk to read the patients' charts again, to make time pass. She had the whole night in front of her. She put the file she'd just read down and closed her eyes.
- Good evening Henriette said a voice
Candy opened her eyes, lifted her head and thought she was dreaming.
- Terry? She said with an uncertain voice
- In the flesh he said
She remained speechless without moving, looking at him.
" He's there in front of you, what are you waiting for?" She said to herself
She stood up, and walked towards him and jumped to his neck. She hugged him strong and so did he. They stayed like that for a while, savouring their mutual warmth. Terry looked for her lips and they kissed. The kiss was ardent and full of passion. The sensation she was feeling gave her the shivers that made every fibre of her body tremble. The kiss was so good; she had forgotten how good Terry's kisses were. She didn't want to stop, but she remembered all of a sudden that they were at the hospital, and him too because they stopped breathless.
- I missed you so much he said
- Really? You left without saying goodbye…
- It was wrong of me. Forgive me. Not a day had passed without me regretting not taking you with me…
- You wanted to take me with you? Oh, Terry! Let's go sit down
The other nurses on the night shift, was looking at them smiling.
- He's so handsome! Said one
- He's an actor, I saw the poster downtown at the theatre, said another one
- How do they know each other?
- I heard they met in school…
Candy and Terry were looking at each other with so much love.
- I couldn't leave without seeing you said Terry
- How did…? No, let me guess, Annie
- She stopped a fight between Archie and I
- Oh no. Not because of me again
- All that mattered was that I see you. The rest is not important. You like being a nurse?
- I don't have my diploma yet, but I like taking care of the patients and cheering them up…
- I bet you're the patients' favourite with your honesty and your joy of life. If I get sick, I'll come here just so I'll have you as a nurse
- I'll give you ten shots a day and you won't want to see me anymore…
- Even if it's ten every hour, I would never get tired of seeing you… Did you stay with your boyfriend? You have plans?
Candy remained silent for a little while. After the pain she felt when he left St. Paul, she wanted to be on her guards. She answered;
- We're concentrating on our studies for now. He's going to become a doctor
- You're going to make a good team, the doctor with his personnel nurse!
- Terry…
- I know I told you to stay with him, because at that time, I saw that I'd disturbed your life, but…
- Yes, Terry?
- I'm starting again… I'm disturbing your life again…I'm going to leave you now…
- You really want to leave me after 5 minutes? She said disappointed
- No, I… you're working…
- Candy said a nurse, name Sabrina, who had followed the conversation, go, I'll take care of everything…
- Are you sure, Sabrina? Said Candy uncertain
- Of course, go and spend some good time with your boyfriend… I want an autograph she whispered
Candy smiled with joy.
- I'll see what I can do. There shouldn't be a problem. Terry, I'm yours, let me get my coat
He smiled and got out of the hospital.
- Did you have diner? Asked Terry
- No, said Candy, I wasn't hungry. I was kind of depressed…
- For not seeing me? I'm flattered…I know a place very discreet where we can eat…
- Your hotel room? Guessed Candy
- You know me too well, Freckles
- It's away from the eyes, the reporters…
- …and your group of personnel bodyguards
Candy burst out laughing; Terry was always able to make her laugh. He always had the funniest nicknames. They went to the hotel where the troupe was staying. They went to Terry's room and ordered a diner for two.
- That's nice of your friend to cover for you
- Oh, but she has a price…
- What does she want?
- She wants an autograph of Terrence G Grandchester
- Really?
- I'm not joking
- Ok. I'm flattered said Terry honestly
- You're cute when you're flattered she said laughing. By the way, I saw you on scene, you were born to act, Terry. You were magnificent…
- Thanks. Coming from you, it's special. I was acting for you, unconsciously, without knowing that you were there… I thought you were still in London
- We left a few weeks after you, the Great Aunt made everybody come back, after the Eliza scandal. I followed you, you know…
- You followed me?
- Yes to the harbour, I arrived and the boat was leaving, I yelled your name…
- That was you? Oh my God, I thought I was dreaming! I heard your voice calling me… you would've come with me if I had asked you?
Candy didn't answer, what was the point to stay in the past?
- Let's forget about that, it's in the past
- But I wanted to ask you…
She put her hand on his lips.
- Shuut! Stop, please. The last time we made plans…
- But…
- No, Terry. Let's talk about something else, please
She didn't want to make plans, she was afraid they were going to be jinxed again. They were both at an uncertain place; he was starting a career as an actor, and she was training to be a nurse. They will know when the time is right to make plans. But for now, they will take advantage of each other's presence.
- Ok. This nurse uniform is giving me ideas…
- Your dirty little mind is coming back running, already?
- I though you liked my dirty little mind…
She came near him.
- I like being with you she said, I feel good with you, but…
- No "but", please… you have your plans, and I have mine
- With Susanna?
- Susanna? Susanna Marlowe? He said surprise, who put that weird idea in you head ?
- Weird? She's a pretty girl
- But she's not you… Susanna is a colleague, that's all. You're jealous Freckles…
- No, she said blushing
- You're jealous, he said all happy
- Eliza was saying…
- Eliza? How could you believe one word out of the mouth of that tramp? You know better than that!
- You're right, said Candy, I shouldn't have listened to Eliza
There was knock at the door, it was their diner. Terry sat on a chair and was carrying Candy on his knees.
- But there are other chairs said Candy
- I want you near me, he said, you're going to eat in my plate, Juliet
- Ok, Romeo said Candy laughing
They dined talking about their mutual lives; she talked to him, about nursing school, her training, Flammy. He talked to her about New York, how he found a job, Susanna. They also talked about Terry's visit to the Pony house.
- You saw my hill without me?
- I thought I would never see you again, or when I see you, you will be Mrs. Anthony Brown
Candy shook her head. She didn't want to talk about Anthony. She wanted to see Terry during all those months…
- I think that Susanna is in love with you she said to change the subject
- No, he said, she's a friend, that's all
- You'll see, you'll prove me right
- Too bad for her, because I'm only thinking about my Freckles she said kissing her on the neck
She started to laugh with joy. She hadn't felt that happy in a long time.
Meanwhile at the reception, Susanna was asking herself where Terry was. Ever since she saw him talking to that brunette, he had vanished. But the brunette was still there.
Candy's friend went back home after the reception. Grandchester had disappeared and it was better that way. The rest of the reception went without an itch. The girls knew that Terry went to see Candy at the hospital.
The troupe returned to the hotel where they were staying. Susanna asked at the reception if Terry was back..
- Mr. Grandchester is in his room, in fact, we just brought him his diner not too long ago, said the receptionist
- Thank you, said Susanna
Terry was in his room. Maybe he was ill? She decided to go see if he was all right. She knocked on the door.
- Terry, Terry? Are you there? She asked
Candy and Terry had finished diner. Terry was in the bathroom when Susanna knocked on the door, calling Terry
- Terry said Candy, there's someone at the door
- Get it Juliet! He cried from the bathroom
- Ok, Romeo!
Candy stood up and went to answer the door to find a Susanna very surprised to find a nurse opening Terry's room. She thought she had the wrong room.
- Oh, I'm sorry she said, I have the wrong room…
- No, no, said Candy, this is Terry's room
- Oh, she said confused, you're a nurse; he's he all right?
- He's fine, don't worry.
- Candy? Called Terry's voice coming out of the bathroom, shirtless, who's at the door? Oh, Susanna…
Candy made herself scarce and let Terry at the door. Susanna had become pale; Terry was with a girl in his room! Her heart was broken into a thousand pieces.
- Can I do something for you? Asked Terry
- I…. I wanted to know if you were all right. You left the reception so suddenly, so… I
- As you can see, I'm fine Susanna. Good night and thank you.
- G …goodnight, Terry she said still troubled
Terry closed the door and remained silent for an instant.
- Now that, …was an awkward moment said Candy to break the silence
- Did you see her face?
- She was upset to see me in your room
- You're right, she's in love with me
Candy smiled, Terry was very uncomfortable.
- You had to tell me she was in love with me! Now…
- …you know how I felt when you told me about Archie's feelings
- Can we, from now on…?
- …take the rest of the world and pin it on the wall with a nail? She finished coming near him
- You take the words right out of my mouth he said taking her lips.
They spent the rest of the night, talking, laughing and kissing passionately. Terry kept his promise made at St. Paul; they didn't go further than ardent kisses and caresses. At the first hours of dawn, she stood up from the bed. They hadn't slept all night.
- I have to go Terry
- Already?
- It's the morning, Terry
- Really?
- Yes, I need your signature, your autograph
- Wait, he said, I'm going to sign a poster from the play
He went to get the poster in his luggage and signed one for Sabrina. He took another one, and he dedicated for Candy by putting;
" For you my Juliet, forever, your Romeo"
- Thank you very much Romeo
- The pleasure is all mine, Juliet he said kissing her.
He walked her to the door, and kissed her again. He didn't know that a pair of eyes was looking at them by a door ajar; Susanna Marlowe was in tears, she didn't close an eye all night. She couldn't get the image of Terry and Candy in the room, out of her head. She left just now she said to herself, she spent the night with him! He's got a woman in his life! She cried knowing that it would change nothing to the situation. She couldn't force a man to love her…but her heart was bleeding, it was hurting.
Candy went back to her room at dawn. Flammy was still sleeping and Candy tried not to make too much noise. She could sleep for a few hours, before she takes Terry to the train station at noon.
She took Terry to the train station, and Susanna was looking at them with sadness. To see Candy and Terry together was like a knife they were sticking in her already bleeding heart.
- I'll write you, said Terry
- Me too, said Candy
Terry hugged her, kissed her on the lips before getting on the train. He stayed at the door, until and waived at her, she stayed on the platform waiving until the train disappear from the eyes.
Candy was so happy to have been able to see Terry. She still didn't know why she hadn't told him she loved him. It like she was afraid that once those three words were out, something was going to happen to separate them again. Annie and Patty came to see her after her training.
- So? Said Annie did you see Terry? He found you at the hospital?
- Yes, thanks Annie said Candy and I spent a magic night…
Annie and Patty looked at each other and Candy understood their insinuation
- Not the Eliza way! Said Candy laughing at their stunned faces
- Oh, for a minute there, you scared us, said Annie
- Terry and I made the promise to do it only when were legally united
- Oh said Patty that's good
Candy started to write Terry, they wrote each other and tell stories about what was going on in their lives.