Chapter 11

New York

10 pm, in the theatre

Terry patted the sweat off his face with the cotton towel and threw it towards the costume rail. Tonight's play was over. He lay spread on his armchair, shirt unbuttoned, with a new cigarette hanging from his lips. He lit it, took a deep breath, relishing it, and exhaled quickly. He let his head fall on the back of the chair. He looked at the ceiling, with his eyes still. Always felt calm after a performance, almost empty, but in a good way. Tonight, perhaps, this calmness was more deep seated. Candy was well and he knew where to find her. He even thought it was destiny that their troupe was going to perform in London. Who could have thought it? He however, needed some time away when they would reach London. It would take them a month almost to set everything up. To be performance ready. He wanted the time for him and her to get to know each other from the start. Having not met for more than ten years...it was a long period of time to bridge, even when feelings were strong. There was of course the nagging worry whether his feelings would be matched by hers. But Miss Pony's words were encouraging. For the time being, they were like a breeze on which his hopes glided. The thrill of reconnecting with Candy, spread from his core to the edges of his body. He blinked to the sound of a knock, and pulled his body upright, looking at the door.

"Come in", he said with a hoarse voice.

Robert walking in with a smile on his face.

"My boy...my boy...my boy...weren't you wonderful tonight Terry?", he said excitedly.

Terry laughed at his cheeriness. He hoped he kept it that way with what he was about to tell him.

"I'm glad you say so Robert, I thought it wasn't bad...", Terry replied to his comments with a smile.

"Hey, you undersell yourself there Terry!", and came close patting him over enthusiastically on the shoulder with pride, pushing the air out of Terry's lungs. He started coughing.

"Easy boss! You'll kill me!", he said a bit out of breath, and turned to him.

"Really, I'm glad you liked the performance", he said and smiled widely looking at him, "Because I have something to tell you", he continued.

"Oh, yes I know Terry, that's why I'm here"

Terry lowered his head looking down for a second took a deep breath, lifting his eyes up to meet with Robert's.

"I want to have some time off when we go to London ", he said.

"Of course, Terry! There is no problem!", Robert commented.

"For a whole month...", Terry said with one breath staring at him once more.

Robert's smile froze on his face in an instance.

"WHAT?! WHOLE MONTH?!", he yelled on top of his lungs.

Terry stood up to Robert's reaction.

"Yes", he replied firmly, with the calm look of someone who had taken a decision and wasn't going to back down on it.

"May I remind you about the rehearsals?", Robert asked sternly but sounding nervous as the same time.

He knew that it would be hard to change Terry's mind once he had set his course on something. Terry's stance opposite him hadn't changed.

"You know and I know that I don't need to be there for the rehearsals", he commented.

Robert wasn't speaking for once.

"I promise to be present at the dress rehearsal"

Robert let his body fall on a nearby chair, before letting the air out of his lungs.

"Terry...", he just said feeling that another try would be futile.

He sensed that Robert wasn't to try to talk him out of his decision. He smiled sympathetically, and patted his boss's shoulder.

"Oh! come on Robert! You know me...I always love a challenge", he said with a comforting tone in his voice. Robert lifted his eyes to look at him who was standing on his side.

"I know, I know, that's why I always worry with you Terry. Wondering when you'll find your next challenge"

"Well, there is no worry this time. Please believe me when I say this. I really... really need this month. If I don't let some steam off, some change of scenery, there will be more serious worries to battle with, not only for you, but for me too", Terry explained himself the best he could, and sat back to his chair.

How could Robert disagree with what Terry had said to him? He always kept an eye on him, together with Eleonor. Since he had come back to New York and stayed next to Susanna, he always felt that Terry was treading on thin ice, balancing to the edge.

"Your request involves Candice too, doesn't it?", Robert asked now with a quiet tender voice.

Terry looked at him and gave him a tired smile. By now, he was like a father to him. Maybe Terry was not telling him everything in details but Robert had been around the block too and was not stupid. He was able to get the gist even from a few lines.

"Amongst other things...", Terry just replied.

Robert decided he had heard enough. He knew the reason for Terry's decision. It would be impossible to change it for the world. He stood up and faced him.

"OK, Terry...you're free from our company for the whole June...but you better returned...prepared", he said trying to sound strict.

"I will be there Robert, and I'll be prepared...", Terry tried to calm down his worries.

He stayed there for a couple more seconds, examining Terry's face as if thinking of something, but he didn't say anything. He just said goodnight and left.

Once more, there was silence inside his dressing room, with only the muffled noise of the staff getting ready to leave the premises coming from outside. Terry poured himself a shot of whiskey, drank it and got up to get ready to leave too.

In his heart, a faint ray of happiness crept in, making a contrast with the nervousness that spread to his body. First hurdle was over, time had started ticking...soon he'd have to overcome the next one...his own self...for he would have to gather all his strength to see Candy once again...

26th of April 1925

Charing Cross station, London

Two weeks of bliss had passed for Candy who was now sitting on one of the platform's benches in Charing Cross train station, smoking a cigarette while waiting for the train from Southampton. She was waiting to pick up Archie. He was to spent six months in London, to set up the Ardley office there. She hoped Annie was not too upset for Archie leaving her behind. She pulled from her coat's pocket his telegram that contained all the details of his arrival and read it one more time. There was still half an hour of waiting time for her and she couldn't contain her happiness. With a beaming face, she glanced quickly in the distance, at the hands of the big station clock that hanged from the high glass ceiling above the platform. "Could life be any better than what it was right now and then?", she thought with a squeeze in her heart.

Since that fateful date in Christian's place, they had become a couple. Although Candy insisted to no strings attached between them. Weird as it may have seen for a woman of her time, to see another man on a simply casual basis, she was scared to feel anything deeper for Christian than just having the best of times together. The feeling of freedom, seizing the day as it was their motto, throwing caution to the wind, was just exhilarating, so much so, sometimes she felt drunk by that feeling. To be honest, given her past experiences, she was expecting some sort of a tragedy waiting in the wings, if she was to let deeper feelings blossom for the man. This time she was determined not to pass through another painful experience, having to pick up the pieces once more when the unavoidable came.

She burst into a smile. Her eyes were like green valleys in the sunshine when she thought of the five days she and Christian spent, hauled up in his apartment, having disappeared from everyone and everything. The only telephone calls she made was at her friend Marion, and the charity headquarters to let them know that she would be unavailable to assume her rota duties for a few days. Christian only left the apartment for food and drink supplies. For those five days, they would cook, smoke hash, lose themselves into long chats of leisure, ending up into making love on every possible place within the confines of his small flat. During that time, he would also continue to paint her portrait, his masterpiece as he called it.

She chuckled, her stare turning to mischievous to the thought of how long they could go on like that, if it wasn't for some of Christian's friends showing up in front of his door, worried for his absence. For since Candy had made that phone call, they had disconnected the phone altogether, living for a while as if they were the only two people on the planet. Christian had let them in, feeling all nervous for her being there, but she did appear, making acquaintances with everyone. It didn't take long to win them over with her smart comments and open hearted manners. He was elated and invited them to stay for dinner. They cooked and ate while drinking copious amounts of wine around the big sturdy table in the main room and by the end of the night they were all firm friends.

Since then, the days rolled in happiness and excitement, with Christian showing Candy a different London. Taking her to places she hadn't seen or visited before. Artists's pubs in Soho where they would sit down, some times listening to songs sung and others to poems recited amidst of a few pints of dark ale. There would be times when aspiring philosophy students would sit crammed around a table, debating with fervour the new political theories till the Anarchists would make such a raucous that the pub lord would have to step in and restore order. So many people, so many ideas, old and new, everything and everyone came together into those shrines of alcohol and good times, all inebriated and in high spirits, such that it would be impossible for Candy not to become infected with their energy flowing effervescent from the springs of their youth.

Romantic dinners were shared in cozy little restaurants established by migrants that came to London from the earth's four corners, offering new and exotic flavours to their clientele. They loved to try new things together, every time picking a different restaurant to dine. Other nights they would meet with friends visiting small jazz and latin clubs where they would dance the hours away. Christian taught her the tango, and she was loving every minute of it.

During the days, Candy had resumed her shifts in the Good Samaritans and socialised with the circle of her friends where she would be usually pestered to spill the beans on the latest news of her outings with him. He had dared to show up during one lunch break at the charity centre, where he was invited to share lunch with all the girls. Needless to say, much to Candy's giggles, now that she was thinking about it, he had charmed the pants of all of them.

Most of those same days though, he would be locked in his apartment painting, getting ready for his imminent and first proper exhibition. It was pushed back into early June, but still he was nervous of making up the deadline. If Candy was free and weather was permitting, she showed up in front of his door, with her car and a picnic basket and would abduct him for a couple of hours to lift his mind off his work. They would stop in one of the numerous parks of London, find a nice spot to share lunch al fresco.

It was a shame Christian couldn't join her today to meet Archie, her cousin and best friend. But they would have time for that, Candy thought to herself the moment she saw the train approaching the platform.

With the final whistle, the train came to a halt. The crowd of people waiting on the platform mixed with the passengers coming out from the carriages into a sea of colourful longing bear hugs and smiles. Through this commotion of reunited happiness, Candy stretched her body. She was standing on her toes. Her stare wandered around people until she spotted him. Her face lit up. She put an arm up and yelled his name. At last he had seen her and he broke into a wide smile. Both quickened their steps until they fell into each other's open arms.

"Archie!", she managed to say.

"Candy!", he said just as he took a step back to allow them to look at each other after such long time of being apart.

"My...you look mighty fine Candy!", he exclaimed while smiling.

"Well I have to say the same goes for you Archie!", she replied to his flattering comment, looking at her cousin dressed in a navy suit with a silk red cravat providing the familiar Archie flair.

Her cousin had grown into a very handsome man, looking better than ever before, she had to admit. Archie could have been a Hollywood star in terms of his looks. But most of all she was ecstatic to stare into those eyes of his where his good soul was mirrored so clearly, showing her how much he cared for her. She hugged him tight once more.

"Oh! I can't believe you're here Archie!", she said the moment she let him free.

They broke into laughing. It would be just great to have each other's company for a few months in London.

"Candy you haven't changed a bit", Archie said once they stopped laughing.

"Hmm... There are a few things that have changed, Archie...", she said and winked at him. "Now, we better get going, you must be exhausted!", she continued without letting him comment on her words.

They exited the train station in high spirits and approached Candy's car.

"Oh! you have a Detroit electric, I see!", Archie turned and said to her, "A woman's car...", he teased her.

They settled inside her quaint little car, and Candy turned the engine on.

"I don't know what you're talking about Archie! It's a great car I'll let you know", she said with a defensive tone in her voice.

"Great?! This car has a top speed of 20miles per hour! I can walk faster Candy!", he said in between his laughing.

They were on their way to Savoy hotel in the Strand.

Candy took a turn to the left, speeding through the streets of London while turning to glimpse at Archie that was still laughing.

"And what's wrong with that my dear cousin? Hmmm?", she replied, "It's great for driving inside London and because it's electric, I don't have to bulk up my muscles just to crank it up to get the engine going", she continued, "Perfect for me", she finished and gave him a wide confident smile.

With that sort of merry banter, the two of them arrived at the grand Savoy hotel where Candy helped him settle in his luxury suite. His luggage had also just arrived. They shared tea and scones in the salon of his suite, chatting to no end, catching up with each other's lives. Suddenly, the big brass clock on the fireplace chimed four o'clock. Candy looked at Archie surprised.

"It's already four! I'm sorry Archie, kept talking and didn't realised the time had passed and you must want to lie down a bit!", she said sounding guilty.

Archie looked at her worried face. Yes, he was tired, but also so elated to have been able to see her and chat with her like old times. True, those times had changed. His love for her had changed too into a deep care resembling more the love shared between siblings. But for Archie and all the nasty hits he got below the belt by a fate, cruel and not caring about who was wiped out from his life, Candy was the closest person in his heart remaining, his only true family apart from his parents who were absent most of his life taking care of family business. He felt all that for her and in all honesty, those feelings made him thankful for having known her.

"Please, I don't want to hear you saying such things sweetheart. You don't know how happy I'm to see you again!", he said to her trying to ease her worry.

Candy's face turned calmer in an instant and she gave him a sincere and caring smile.

"Same here my dear Archie!", she said and got up, gathering her coat from the sofa, "But I must insist. I'll let you rest for a few hours and I'll come back to pick you up for dinner, OK?", she asked him as both of them were heading towards the door of the suite.

She stopped in front of it and turned to see him.

"7.30 is OK for you?", she asked him.

"Perfect Candy!", he said with a smile.

He grabbed the door knob and twisted it to open the door for her.

"Allow me..."

"Always the gentleman...Thank you Archie!", she replied and turned to face him.

They kissed each other on the cheeks before laughing once more, not believing that he was really there.

Candy left him to rest and in high spirits she took the road back to her home. The late afternoon sun was shining glorious on a pale blue sky and life thankfully was going just swell she thought while she started whistling a cheery tune, sitting behind the wheel of her little car.

Chelsea, London

Christian's apartment, 7.30pm

He stood back, looking at the half finished painting of the Grantchester fields. Didn't know if he liked it or not, but he didn't have the luxury of time to give the painting any more thought. He took his pocket watch out, realising it was already sever thirty in the evening. He wiped his paint stained hands with a cloth before going to the phone. It was time. He dialled a number and waited on the line.

"The Cock and Bull, landlord speaking", a thick and gruff voice answered the phone.

"Looking for Bill Pike...is he there?", Christian replied.

"One second...", the man said before he was heard shouting inside the pub the name of the man.

"He's coming..."

"Cheers mate", Christian said back and waited.

"'Ello?"

"It's me, Billy..."

"Aye, aye, birdie 's flying tonight", the man said with a low voice.

Christian could picture him smile and so did his eyes smile to the sound of his voice.

"Tom Foolery* will be waiting for me...will he Bill?", he asked him, his face getting all serious again. (*Tom Foolery was East End slang for jewellery)

"'e will, 'e will mate...cat an' mouse* will be quiet", he answered. (*Cat and mouse = house)

"Any ducks and geese* around?", Christian asked again. (*Ducks and geese = police)

"Nope...checked all this week, you're good, you're good", the man said.

"Great. Will come around to see you in two*...", Christian said back. (*He means two days)

"Cool, cool...see you then mate", Billie said and hung up.