CHAPTER 4

"Whenever you are ready, Sir William", said George parking the car at St Joanna's hospital.

"Yes, George, thank you, I am going in right now. I do not expect this to take too long".

He took a deep breath and walked out of the car into the large courtyard and into the hospital's reception, his pace confident, his face firm with determination.

"I am here to see Mr Leonard, please. Yes, Sir William Albert Ardlay, he is expecting me".

George waited patiently in the car. Albert, this is so typical of you, he thought. Ever since you were a child you were so sensitive to injustice, so resolute to do all you could to eradicate it. From your own household, to the University's ridiculously strict rules, to challenging the occasionally rough conditions of animal care in London's zoo, to the poverty and tribal conflict devastation you experienced in the arid plains of Africa... in all the years I have known you, you have never wavered. As if there is an invisible hand guiding you to always do good, to always help and comfort without thinking about yourself for a moment. And Candy... she is such a beacon in your life... sometimes I wonder... has either of you noticed how much connects you both, how much you belong together...

"Well, here we are George, shall we get going?" Albert's smiling face brought him back to reality.

"Well? How did it go?" enquired George.

"Hmm, our dear Mr Leonard is a stroppy old man, no doubt, but I think I made my point crystal clear and he had no option but to agree to remove all false allegations from Candy's employment records. He will write to her personally to apologise for the way she was treated. Of course, that also means that if she ever decides to come back to Chicago and work here, there will be nothing to stop her from doing so. Mr Leonard will ensure that all clinics in the city get the message, so I think we can safely close out this sorry matter."

"Ha, I wish I was a fly on the wall when you were in his office, Albert!" laughed George.

"Who could imagine that behind your angelic face there is a hardened businessman not used to taking no for an answer!"

Albert smiled, shook his head back and said "Come now, my friend, let's tackle another set of unpleasantness. To the Rangan's residence, if you please! I need to have a few words with my dear cousin about his family..."

***

"Morning, Mr Matthews!" said Sister Mary. "It's so nice to see you again, please, do come in for a cup of tea, you must be tired", she added.

"Ah, thank you Mary, I wish I could stay, but there are still quite a few letters to deliver, and it looks like it's going to start pouring down with rain any time soon, so I'd better not linger. I promise I will stay for a chat next time."

"Ah, hello Mr Matthews!" Patty appeared through the front door smiling at the kind postman. "Any letters for us today?" she asked.

"Certainly young lady, two for you and two for Candy, here you are" he gave her all four envelopes. Patty thanked him and ran to find Candy, as usual up the hill coordinating some running competition for the children.

"Candy! Candy! Come over quick, letters from Annie and Albert, Candyyy!" shouted Patty happily.

Candy turned round to greet her friend who was panting running up the hill, clutching in her hand a few envelopes.

"From Annie and Albert you said? Great, let me see! Jimmy! You are in charge of the children now!" she ordered her young friend and rushed towards Patty. She took the letters from her eagerly.

She tore the envelope and skimmed over the content.

"Ah, it's for both of us Patty, listen!" said Candy and started to read aloud.

Dear Candy and Patty,

I have some wonderful news to share with you, and I can't wait until I see you! Archie asked me to marry him! I am the happiest person on Earth! We will soon come visit you so that we can tell Mrs Pony and Sister Mary too. We will not have a formal celebration now, as Stear's death is still recent in our memories, but I don't mind, we are now engaged and I am wearing a beautiful diamond ring as I write this to you. I can't wait to show you!

Albert is also fine, although we haven't seen him at all recently, poor soul, he keeps travelling from place to place. Archie said he is extremely busy with work but hopes to escape for a few days later on in the summer and go to Lakewood. Perhaps we can all meet up then?

I so look forward to seeing you both again.

Lots of love,

Annie

"My goodness, isn't that fantastic news? Annie and Archie engaged, ooh, I can't wait to see them!" exclaimed Candy merrily.

"Patty?" Candy asked her friend seeing that there was no response. Patty had turned her back towards Candy and was looking out into the valley, her shoulders shaking ever so slightly.

"It's OK Candy, I am fine" she cleared her throat, "it's just... the news... so wonderful... but Stear..." she sobbed.

Candy reached over to her to comfort her but Patty stopped her.

"No, Candy, no, thanks but I am OK, really. Stear is gone and is not coming back and life has to go on... I am delighted for Annie and Archie. Let me have another read of that letter and you read the one that Albert sent you, it's worrying he has to work so hard, poor Albert."

Candy looked at her doubtfully but didn't argue. She walked a bit further away and read Albert's letter. It was actually a postcard from Brazil.

To Candy,

If you look at the photo on the postcard you will be jealous, but unfortunately I didn't come here to relax. São Paulo is hot and very dusty. George and I are groggy from the heat. We will buy you lots of souvenirs. It is getting close to the time for us to return home, and I'm thinking of coming to see you. George also says hello.

From São Paulo,

Bert

Oh Albert, she thought affectionately. How I wish there was something I could to make things easier for you, sounds like you are having quite a tough time out there. I am glad George is with you, at least I know he will help you out as much as possible. I really hope to see you soon... I wonder, does Albert know about Annie and Archie's engagement?

"Gosh, such exciting news, I have a few letters to write and pronto!" she said and walked cheerfully back to the orphanage.

***

"Patty, we have been more than glad to have you here with us, you are welcome back any time!" said Mrs Pony warmly.

"The children loved to have you here, we are amazed how much they have improved in their studies – I think it's fair to say we owe this all to you" added Sister Mary.

"It is a pity you have to go so soon" said Candy, "I can't believe all these months have passed already, it will be lonely without you here..." she added.

"Thank you, the pleasure has been all mine" said Patty blushing. "It has been a great experience to be close to the children and I hope to return when I finish my studies this year" she smiled.

"Oh come on" Candy interrupted, "let's go for a short walk up the hill one last time, you must have a good look at the magnificent view before you leave, what do you say? Come, let's run!"

The two girls started to sprint up the hill giggling, Patty struggling to keep up but not giving up either. They reached the top breathless, a sea of glorious blue sky enveloping them.

"Gosh, I will miss this place!" said Patty wide-eyed, her cheeks a healthy shade of pink. "It is so peaceful yet incredibly invigorating too; here I feel free and strong – I am very grateful for letting me spend the past few months here with you Candy. It has done me a world of good to be involved with the children and feel useful and appreciated like this."

"Nonsense, Patty, I think we should be thankful you decided to join me here, you have made such a difference to everyone's life in the orphanage, you know; the children absolutely adore you... and I don't know how I would have coped without your friendship and support... although it seems to me that there is a certain person who is going to miss you more than most..." she added teasingly.

Patty's cheeks went bright red again. "Ehm... I am not sure what you mean, Candy..."

"Oh come on, Patty, don't pretend you haven't noticed the way he looks at you! And what about these frequent horse riding lessons, you must be ready for a rodeo competition by now after so much practice!" she grinned.

"Candy, you are such a tease!!" Patty said slightly embarrassed.

"He just helped me improve my riding skills to thank me for helping update their book-keeping methods for their livestock..." she mumbled, her face still scarlet.

"Ha-ha, Patty, there is no need to feel uncomfortable, poor Tom, all these Sundays he spent in church with us, all his eagerness to do errands for the orphanage, all the silly excuses he had to come up with to come and visit, and that sorrowful goodbye last night... well my friend, you must be quite the accountant!" she stuck her tongue out at Patty and burst out laughing so hard, she was soon rolling on the ground.

Her laughter was contagious and within minutes Patty joined her kneeling on the grass, both of them laughing their heads out.

"Candy..." asked Patty after a while when they had finally calmed down, "it has been such a long time since we had a good, belly-aching laugh... do you think we can start looking forward to happier times ahead?"

Candy pondered this briefly, then with a determined look on her face she stated "Yes, Patty! Yes, we sure can!"

They hugged each other tight, then Candy said, "come on, I think I can see your carriage coming up the road, are you all packed?"

I should do some packing too, Candy suddenly remembered waving after Patty's departing carriage. George is coming to pick me up tomorrow and I haven't prepared a thing yet! Albert's telegram had been short, but he suggested she came over to Lakewood for a long weekend. He would send George to pick her up on Friday morning, and Annie and Archie would join them on Saturday. It's a pity Patty cannot make it this time it would be great if we could all be together again, Candy thought, but I am sure there will be other opportunities. She rushed inside and started to get ready.