CHAPTER 8
"Thank you so much, we had a splendid time" said Annie giving him a warm hug.
"Yes, thank you, Albert" said Archie "we must do this more often, so don't you dare disappear off into your many travels for months and months again, eh!" he teased kind-heartedly.
Albert was smiling "the pleasure is all mine, as you know. You are always very welcome here, and in any case we will see you again in Chicago soon I hope. There is also your engagement party to look forward to I guess, it will be a great celebration our dear Aunt assures me" he informed them.
"Well Albert, I want to see how you are going to cope with the army of beautiful young ladies sure to demand your attention on the night" Archie chuckled and winked at his mortified uncle, as they all knew how indifferent he was to all these kind of social events.
"But come now Annie, dear, are you sure this all your luggage, let's double-check, will you join me" said Archie cleverly, wanting to give Candy and Albert a private moment to say their goodbyes. Annie got the hint immediately and they both disappeared into the house swiftly.
"So... this is where we say goodbye again, Miss Trouble" said Albert looking at her with that special sweet smile of his on his face. "Thanks for coming to visit, it was great to have you here" he added. "Pouppe was delighted to see you too, weren't you Pouppe", he asked the cute skunk resting on his arm.
"I am the one who should be thanking you, Albert" she said shyly. "For everything; I had a very nice time" she added hastily then lowered her eyes to hide her blushing cheeks.
He patted her shoulder gently and said "I will be away for a while unfortunately, but if there is anything you need, don't hesitate to write to me, OK?"
"Yes, Albert, I know. Thank you for always taking care of me wherever you are." She missed his usual warm embrace but didn't dare initiate one herself.
"Look after yourself now, Candy, I will miss you" he added tenderly, briefly cupping her chin.
"I will miss you too, Albert." Very much, she thought...
Annie and Archie reappeared from the house, ready to go now.
"Goodbye Albert!" said all of them once comfortably seated in the car.
He smiled and continued to wave at them his eyes firmly fixed on Candy, her blonde hair moving slightly in the wind as they were driving away, until they were lost from view.
With a sigh he returned to the large house which now seemed unbearably empty and quiet. Candy was chatting animatedly with her friends in the car but her mind was still back at Lakewood.
When will I see you again Albert... she reached for his brooch deep in her pocket. She always carried it with her, a part of her Prince, a part of Albert... oh, Albert... this weekend was so special, I don't know what's happening to me anymore, I can't stop thinking about you, your deep blue gaze, your scent, the sensation of your strong, muscular body carrying me to my bed... I can't stop longing to be close to you, I feel happiest when you hold me, yesterday was such a memorable day... what are these feelings Albert... have they been there all along... am I... am I falling in love with you Albert?
Annie's happy chattering distracted her. She was grateful for that. She pushed away her thoughts about Albert and concentrated on her friend's words, Pony's Hill was almost on the horizon.
Albert was driving back to the mansion in Chicago also thinking about the weekend. He had never shared his painful memories with anyone else before, other than George, but somehow it felt natural to do so with Candy. There are so many things linking us both Candy, he thought.
I look back at that first time I ran into you, years ago, a pretty little girl crying her heart out on Pony's Hill... little did I know that you would come to become so important to me... the time we spent together while I was fighting to recover my memory... he remembered again the sensation of her silky skin, her perfume of tantalising lilies and fresh roses when she fell asleep in his arms... he shuddered. His mind fought hard to suppress the emotions their intimate contact roused in him, but his body was betraying what his heart felt... had been feeling rather for quite some time.... am I... am I falling in love with you Candy?
George's businesslike tone distracted him. He was grateful for that. He pushed away his thoughts about Candy and concentrated on his words, they had lots to prepare still before their trip tomorrow.
***
"Auntie, Uncle, please, accept my warmest congratulations on your anniversary!" said Stear to Albert and Candy enthusiastically when he finally managed to get through the crowd surrounding them.
"Oh, Stear, it is so good that you could be here, things must be terribly busy at the hospital" said Candy and hugged her nephew warmly.
"You bet they are busy, the day never seems to have enough hours some times Auntie, but you know how I love what I do" he added proudly. Stear was training to become a heart surgeon and had to work long hours, making it difficult for him to visit them as much as he would have liked.
"Hmm, it seems to me that despite your complaints, you still manage to find some free time, young man" teased Albert cordially "who is this beautiful lady gracing your arm tonight?"
Stear blushed, "oh, but of course, I almost forgot, Uncle, Aunt, I would like to introduce you to my friend, Anna."
"Hello Anna and welcome to our home" said Candy with a friendly smile. "Hope you are enjoying yourself, have you met the rest of the family? No? Well, come over with me, I will introduce you and show you a bit around the house and garden... no, of course it's no trouble, I would be delighted to!" Candy said genially.
The two women left and Albert got a chance to talk to Stear.
"Uncle, this is really a wonderful celebration, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you two" Stear said.
"Ah, the pleasure is all ours Stear, we wish we could see you more often, and if I may say, your young lady seems quite delightful" he added with a smile.
"I wouldn't miss today for anything Uncle! And thank you for your kind words, I think she is quite special too." He stayed quiet for a few moments looking at the crowd around him then said thoughtfully "you know, I really hope that someday I too will be lucky enough to celebrate so many years of pure love with someone – what you and Candy have is so special, so unique, I can't imagine a happier life than being with the one you love and sharing all life has to throw at you together..." he concluded wisely.
Albert was very touched by his nephew's words. He put an arm around him and reassured him.
"Stear, you are such a remarkable young man, there is no doubt in my mind that you too will be blessed with a very special person in your life. When the time comes, you will just know it, you'll see..."
Stear looked at his Uncle respectfully and smiled.
"Go on then, let's treat ourselves to some champagne, while your Aunt is not looking" he winked at Stear and took a glass from the tray of the waiters circulating around the guests, the pair of them laughing wholeheartedly.
***
"Our little girl is getting married, this is the most wonderful news Annie, my beloved child" Miss Pony hugged Annie and Archie warmly.
"We are so happy for you, may you always be happy together" added Sister Mary fondly.
Archie was humbled by the acceptance and kindness of the two old women. He shook their hand visibly touched and said
"I can assure you that all I want is for Annie to be very happy. She brings so much light into my life... and I just wish for us to grow old together. There is no-one else in the world that makes me feel this way; thank you, thank you for giving us your blessing, it means a lot to me".
Annie was tearful, she had loved Archie with all her heart for years, and now....
"Come now guys, I think the occasion calls for a celebration!" said Candy "let's have a party!" she exclaimed happily.
"I am really so pleased" said Miss Pony after their small party was over and Archie and Annie had left.
"They look really good together, Archie is a good and honourable man, he will look after our Annie" added Sister Mary.
"I hope... I hope we can experience the same happiness again with Candy someday" said Miss Pony thoughtfully, "do you think she is over her breakup with Terry? It caused her so much upset, poor girl. She tried to hide it from all of us, but I could always see in her eyes that her heart was suffering..."
"Hmm... it is difficult to tell, Miss Pony" said Sister Mary "although, it does seem to me that spending some time away from here, with Albert and her friends did her good, she looked bright and cheerful today, didn't she?" she added.
"Hmm... I guess you're right... time will tell of course... come now, my dear, we have lots to prepare for tomorrow's breakfasts" said Miss Pony decisively and the two women continued with their chores.
Candy settled back into her usual life at Pony's Hill; she felt a bit lonely without Patty but once again the hustle and bustle of looking after the children quickly got her absorbed into her many daily tasks to help out Miss Pony and Sister Mary. At the same time, and you would only notice if you knew her really well, she seemed somewhat quieter, more pensive, a bit unlike her usual joyful self. She was going out for long walks alone, she was spending time closed up in her bedroom writing letters to her friends, she looked outside the window eagerly for any sign of Mr Matthews coming up the hill.
She started to think about moving back to Chicago at some point in the future. Dr Leonard's apologetic letter made it perfectly clear that her record was untarnished and that she was more than welcome to return to St Joanna's hospital at any time she wished. She discussed this with Dr Martin the last time he was there.
"Well, well Candy, lovely to see you again, my child. And how is my favourite nurse doing, eh? Long time no see, but I was really busy back in Chicago, this time of the year the number of children breaking arms, legs, and spraining ankles goes through the roof. Did you have a nice time with Albert? How is he coping with his new lifestyle?" Dr Martin asked kind-heartedly over a cup of tea.
She was delighted to see him, in some way, she felt he was more than just an old friend, he was also a mentor; and someone who knew Albert too, who helped him through his amnesia... her heart filled with strange feelings at the mention of Albert's name.
Weeks had passed since that weekend they spent together and the memory of their discussions and special time together at the lake and the balcony was still as fresh as if it had been only yesterday.
She hesitated to admit it, but she missed him terribly. They had exchanged a couple of brief letters, sharing news but without any further indication of their emotions or any reference to the personal discussions they had when they had last been together. It was as if there was something preventing her from opening her heart to him, she wasn't quite sure what to say...
What was that thing Archie had mentioned before they left, something about suitable young ladies...the thought of Albert in the arms of another woman made her feel very uncomfortable... she realised fine well that Albert was a man, and undoubtedly in great demand but she didn't even want to think about it, the thought alone made her suffocate. She felt she desperately wanted to see him again, and Christmas felt so far away...
"So, you are thinking of returning to Chicago at some point?" Dr Martin's voice brought her back to reality. "I think it would be good for you to work in the hospital again or you can always come back to our clinic you know, I must confess my dear, the place isn't the same without you!" he added affectionately.
"Hmm, I haven't quite made up my mind yet, but I cannot stay at Pony's Hill forever, my friends are in Chicago of course, my old colleagues..." and Albert, she thought.
"Well, Candy I know for sure Albert will be delighted if he can see you more often" Candy blushed but Dr Martin didn't notice "he looked rather miserable after you left, to be honest. He is very busy but he pops in to see me from time to time to say hello and to... ehm... replenish my whisky stocks, bless him!" he added shyly, avoiding Candy's eyes.
Candy didn't give him her usual lecture on the dangers of alcohol, her mind was solely concentrated on what Dr Martin had said... does Albert miss me? Her heart skipped a beat... oh, Albert I miss you too, I wish I could tell you just how much, she thought...
Autumn gave way to crisp, cold winter mornings, the touch of frost changing swiftly to more frequent snowfall and darker nights. The landscape in the mountains had already changed; the trees were bare, the birds long gone, the sky a heavy, graphite grey. Snow-capped mountain tops dominated the horizon.
Candy made up her mind, after Christmas, in the New Year, she would look for a flat to rent in Chicago and return to her work at the hospital. She now felt strong enough to start planning for the future. A future, where Terry no longer had a part to play;
Terry... she sighed. Sometimes she simply missed his friendship, having him close to talk to him, being able to write to him with her news, ask for his advice... she wondered how he was doing; did he think of her... did she want him to think of her... and how about Susanna, is she getting any better now... What would Albert say if she told him about these thoughts of hers... would he be disappointed, no, Albert would be as supportive as ever... she lay back on her bed, her arms crossed behind her head. Thick snowflakes were falling on the ground outside her window.
She closed her eyes. Albert's smiling face filled her mind, his beautiful blue eyes looking into hers, she could hear his voice talking to her, teasing her, singing to her; she tried to remember how she felt when she was in his arms... the warmth of his body, his smell, that feeling of safety, of calm and strength, that feeling of being home...
The reply to her application from St Joanna's hospital took only a few days to arrive. She was welcome to start working there on Monday the 10th of January. She ran to show the letter to Miss Pony and Sister Mary, who were sitting in the dining kitchen having a cup of tea. Both women gave her a big hug.
"But this is great news Candy!" said Miss Pony "and it means you can spend still some of the Christmas holidays with us and the children here".
Christmas... Candy suddenly realised that it was only a week away. She so looked forward to seeing her friends again! Annie and Archie would spend Christmas Eve with her, Albert and Aunt Elroy (sigh) at Lakewood, and then, the day after, the four of them but also Patty would all come to Pony's Hill to spend Christmas with the children. It had been Albert's idea... Candy was very touched he was so keen to make sure the children had a special day and lots of presents, as well as give Miss Pony and Sister Mary some help on what is normally a very busy day. George, Tom and Mr Stephen, Jimmy and Mr Cartwright were also going to come.
Candy, or rather everyone at the orphanage young and old, was so looking forward to the feast, they could hardly contain their excitement! The children were already hard at work cleaning and preparing Christmas decorations, when they were not outside going down the slopes with their sledges, that is. Everybody was in a great mood and even Candy managed to forget about her recent darker thoughts involving her feelings about Terry, Albert and the future, and joined in the festive atmosphere.