CHAPTER 17
Albert woke up first. Timid sun rays filtered through the curtains and caressed his face. He stretched lightly then turned over to his side, where Candy was still fast asleep, her golden hair fanning out on her pillow. He ran his finger gently down her naked shoulder. She quivered slightly; he smiled and got up carefully not as not to wake her. He turned back one last time before leaving the room – the sight of Candy in bed, her delicate body wrapped in her sheets, her beautiful face unstrained, a hint of a smile on her soft lips warmed his heart no end... Candy, my Candy, my wife...
She is floating in the evening sky enveloped by a sea of purple and blue, gliding on invisible air currents, she looks for Albert, where did he go? How could they have missed each others smiles? The view up in heaven must be great, in order to see so clearly...
"Candy... Candy sweetie, wake up" she heard a familiar gentle voice in the background, an affectionate hand stroking her hair.
She opened her eyes. The room was bathed in daylight. A smiling Albert was standing over her, a tray placed on her bedside cabinet.
"Morning sleepy!" he said and gave her a tender kiss. She hugged him adoringly.
"Good-morning Albert..." she yawned "what is the time, have you been up long?"
He chuckled "hmm, only long enough to make you breakfast. You're hungry I hope."
"Mmm... Albert you are a dear, you are, you are, you are!" she hugged him again and propped herself up against the pillows. "Now, let me see... freshly squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, toast and jam, a nice pot of tea... mmm... I am getting ravenous just looking at all this!" she started on her breakfast, an expression of satisfaction and pure happiness on her face.
"I could get used to this, you know" she said in-between mouthfuls.
"Ha! I am sure you could" Albert laughed.
He sat on the bed enjoying a cup of tea himself and kept her company while she ate. Candy was simply delighted by Albert's thoughtful gesture – her face was shining brighter than the strong sun outside. Just as she was contemplating just how wonderful married life was drinking her tea, she noticed a small envelope on the tray.
"Albert... there is an envelope here... is it for me?" she asked curious.
"A-ha, I thought you'd never notice – go on, open it" he said.
Candy tore the envelope slowly; inside it there were two first-class train tickets... to Florida! She threw her arms around Albert.
"Oh honey, this is a wonderful surprise, thank you so much!" she started to kiss him all over his face and neck.
Albert kissed her back and within minutes, they were both tumbling on the bed again, making sweet love...
"I wanted to take you to Europe, to travel around all the lovely places there and see the ancient cities and museums, and beautiful countryside... but because of that wretched war we will have to do this later" he said later, when they were lying in each other's arms, relaxing.
"It's OK Albert, Florida is just as good for now. The important thing is for us to spend some time together and for you to escape work for as long as you can. Oh, but I am so excited about going away with you!"
He smiled and caressed her face. She nestled in his chest and listened to his heartbeat. There was this one sad thought nagging her...
"Albert... that thing you said last night... about asking God to take you now..."
"Candy... are you still thinking about this... sweetheart, I only said it because I was, no, I am so happy to be with you, I feel like the luckiest man in the world... that's all I meant, you silly! I have no intention of not being with you, eh!" he teased her affectionately and wrapped his arms around her.
"Albert... promise you'll never leave me..."
He lifted up her chin and looked into her eyes. His expression was very serious.
"Candy... I promise. I don't think that I could leave you even if I ever wanted to."
They held each other tight for a while. Albert kissed her hair then spoke again,
"Come on then my darling wife, let's get ready and go out to enjoy this gorgeous day – I have booked us a table for dinner in the town nearby but we have the whole day to ourselves till then – and in any case it is way too tempting to be lingering on this bed my sweet..." he said and started to kiss her passionately again.
***
"Well well, I must say you have done an excellent job with the house guys" said Candy sincerely pacing around Annie's new house. "I must say I am very impressed."
Annie smiled. "Thank you Candy, I admit we are happily settled here now. Come and see the baby's room."
The three girls climbed up the stairs.
"Ah yes, this is lovely" commented Candy looking around her carefully. "What do you think Patty?"
"Patty helped with the decoration actually" said Annie. "She sure has an eye for detail, I'll give her that!"
"Nonsense" said Patty. "I enjoyed helping out, it can be a very creative time preparing for the arrival of a new baby. I was honoured to my of assistance, my Lady" she did a mock bow.
Candy and Annie burst out laughing.
"And how does Archie feel at the prospect of becoming a father?" asked Candy.
"Ah, you should talk to him Candy" said Patty before Annie could reply "he is delighted, he talks of little else these days."
"It's true..." blushed Annie. "I think he is also happy that his parents have decided to move back to the US now, so at least we'll all get a chance to get together more regularly. It would be good for the little one to see his or her grandparents."
A slight shadow crossed Patty's face. She knew why Mr and Mrs Cornwell had decided to return to America... after losing Stear... she quickly changed the subject.
"What time is lunch served? And Annie dear, you shouldn't be standing all the time, come on, let's go downstairs so you can put your feet up a bit."
Annie caressed her growing bump tenderly. "Yes, I guess you are right – and in any case we haven't even asked Mrs Ardlay here about her exciting honeymoon yet..." she winked at her friends.
They enjoyed a great lunch chatting away and laughing like they did when they were in London at Saint Paul's. Afterwards they moved into the sun lounge and slouched on the cosy sofas while sipping tea.
"Well?" said Annie.
"Well?" said Patty.
"Well?" said Candy, a look of amusement on her face.
Annie gave her a gentle push, "go on Candy, don't pretend you don't understand! Tell us everything, how was it?"
"Yes, Candy, tell all! We missed you all this time, and now you are back with rosy cheeks and a wide a grin all over your face – it's only natural we want to know the latest" said Patty.
"Yes, everything!" Annie stressed the word grinning mischievously.
Candy laughed. "OK, OK, I can see there is no escaping this, so... where do I start? Well the wedding was just perfect, but you know all that already, then we spent a few days up in the mountain cabin which has been fully refurbished and looks incredible, and..."
"Ha, judging by your dreamy look I am amazed you even had time to notice the new decorations. And Archie was saying to me just the other day that Albert seems sooo exuberant and cheerful these days it's a miracle he can concentrate on his work" teased Annie.
Candy first lowered her eyes blushing then started to giggle. Patty and Annie looked at each other meaningfully and started to giggle too. Soon the three friends were laughing happily.
"So what was I saying" continued Candy after they had calmed down again "then we took the train and went to Florida for a week, and that was fan-ta-stic. The weather was perfect, our hotel first class, the food exquisite... we went swimming, riding, snorkelling, had lovely walks on the beach under gorgeous palm trees, danced under the stars... ahh... no offence my friends but I wish I could still be there..."
She closed her eyes and let her mind travel back a few days. She was telling the truth that her time with Albert in Florida was indeed wonderful.
She remembered the day they hired that sailing boat and went out the two of them far out into the bay...
...and then when they went swimming into incredibly clear blue waters in that little isolated cove and tried snorkelling in the shallow reef the locals suggested to them... she still remembered how awed they both were to see thousands of colourful fish swimming around them and intricate natural coral formations ...
...and what about the evening they attended a wonderful ballet adaptation of that Russian composer, Scheherazade... Candy was dancing on the streets on their way back to the hotel and promised Albert that if they were ever blessed with daughters, she would make sure they took ballet lessons...
...or the day they hired a car and drove off to the countryside through serpentine narrow roads offering a soothing vista of green fields and citrus groves, ending up on a beautiful plain where they stopped to picnic, only to be chased away – and up a tree – by a couple of really angry cows... ah... the laughs they had...
Albert even had the grace to put up with Candy smearing her special beauty creams on his face only because she had said she wanted to make him even more handsome than he was (if that was possible!)...
...or that Sunday morning they strolled the food market holding hands, feeling almost overwhelmed as they wandered past stands piled with strawberries, blackberries and plump, black prunes, past the glistening slabs of fresh fish and duck, the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the sharp tang of strong, aged cheese...
...and all those tender nights, when they lay in each other's arms, talking about their dreams for the future, making plans about their home, their next holiday, the names of their children, teasing each other, making passionate love late into the night...
The sight of Archie entering the room brought her back to reality,
"Well look whom we've got here!" he exclaimed. "Candy, my dear, you look a treat" he hugged his friend warmly.
Candy smiled "now, let me look at you Mr Father to be!" she hugged him back. "Oh Archie, I am so happy for you!"
They sat down together. Archie then turned towards Patty and Annie,
"Well, I have some interesting news for you all" he started. "I just had a meeting with my father, and he told me that the Rangans are relocating to Tulsa – isn't that strange?"
"How come?" asked Annie. "Is there some new family business there and they need to go?"
"I am surprised Albert didn't mention anything" said Candy confused.
"Hmm, I don't think he would have known, Candy" said Archie. "It was apparently only decided today. Although presumably discussions must have been going on in the background for quite some time when you were away on your honeymoon... yes, the Ardlay bank is opening a new branch there and Mr Rangan has been asked to run it. It is an excellent career opportunity for him – and potentially Neal come to think about it, so..."
"Ehm, does this mean we will finally get rid of Elisa and her spiteful antics?" asked Patty curiously.
"Hmm, I will believe it when I see it, my dear" chortled Archie. "The elder Rangans will have to go I guess, but we can't be certain about our beloved cousins."
"Interesting developments, anyhow, I will ask Albert when I go back, maybe he knows more by now" said Candy.
"But Candy, how is life in the mansion? How do you find the cohabitation with Aunt Elroy?" asked Archie with interest.
Candy laughed "ah, I was waiting for the question to pop up!"
Everyone joined in and laughed too.
Candy continued "well, it's not that bad actually. You know of course how huge the house is, it's not as if we see each other all the time. She keeps to herself and I am just so busy trying to learn the ropes of being the wife of the powerful William Ardlay! We have a laugh with Albert about this of course, as you know how informal and down to earth he is himself."
They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with one another's news. When Annie decided to retire to rest for a little while, Patty and Candy got up to leave.
"Oh, there is no reason for you to leave yet girls" said Archie. "Do you want to stay on for dinner?"
"Ah, thanks Archie, but I have to study. Exam season is upon me soon and I have lots of revising to do" said Patty.
"And I want to be home for Albert coming back from work" said Candy. "But it was great to see you guys and we'll meet up again soon. I can't wait to become an aunt!"
Patty and Candy shared the carriage on the way back.
"You look very happy, Candy. I am so pleased for you and Albert" said Patty.
"Patty... I am very happy. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I know maybe this sounds soppy and girlie and silly, but it just gets better every day. Sometimes I don't know if my heart can fit in it all the wonderful emotions we share with Albert. And we have difficult moments too, it's not all romance and heaven on earth" she smiled.
"But how can I put it... it is a journey of discovery and growth; or perhaps it's more than a journey, it's an adventure and I don't know where life will take us next... but... I don't care because whatever happens I know we will face it together. And that's all I need..." Candy finished her sentence, her eyes sparkling.
Patty touched her hand.
"It means so much to me to know you are happy with the one you love; you have such a unique way of sharing love and kindness with the whole world Candy, and right now, I see that this gift in you has magnified a thousand times. I don't know exactly what it is about that husband of yours, but you are absolutely shining my friend!"
Candy blushed and gave Patty a hug.
"Your turn will come soon, Patty, you'll see..."
***
Gaudeamus igitur
Juvenes dum sumus.
Post jucundam juventutem
Post molestam senectutem
Nos habebit humus...
"Can you see her?" whispered Candy.
"No... not yet... they line up in alphabetical order, don't they?" answered Annie.
Candy kept straining to see better over the heads of the people sitting in front of them.
Albert put his finger over his lips "quiet you two, we're in a public ceremony."
Both Candy and Annie elbowed him in the ribs. He suppressed a groan. Archie looked at him apologetically and shook his head.
Vivat academia!
Vivant professores!
Vivat membrum quodlibet
Vivant membra quaelibet
Semper sint in flore...
"There she is!" called Annie excited. "There, the fourth one on the right... do you see her now?"
"Goodness yes! She looks great in this black gown... so grown-up and professional. Bravo Patty, well done..." said Candy affectionately. She turned to Tom,
"Doesn't she look very smart, Tom!"
Tom turned towards her but didn't reply, his face was very serious, his chocolate brown eyes dusky. Candy placed his hand on his and he squeezed hers.
The girls finally went quiet and concentrated on the Professor's speech...
"... Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." So, today I remind you all to look into your hearts and be awake before you take your first steps into the wonderful profession of teaching...
...Your contribution to the world will not be measured by the money you make or the accolades you receive but rather by the way in which you share our unique talents with the world. And the only place to find those gifts is within yourself.
And tomorrow, I hope that even if you remember not a single word of mine, you remember those of Seneca, another of those old Romans we met when we fled down the Classics corridor, in retreat from career ladders, in search of ancient wisdom:
As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters."
There was loud applause from the audience. Then one by one, the graduates were called up to collect their degree certificate.
"...Catherine Kelly... Erin McAllister... Louise Middleton... Patricia O'Brien..."
Archie, Annie, Albert, Candy and Tom clapped loudly when Patty got up and walked to the podium. She managed a quick smile as she walked back to her seat and spotted them waving at her madly.
After the ceremony was over, the friends got together along with Patty's family to celebrate. It was a day full of smiles and jubilation. Patty's parents went home after the graduation ceremony while the six friends went for lunch to a very nice restaurant in the city centre.
"So what happens now Patty" asked Albert over dessert. "Will you move up to Pony's permanently then?"
Tom looked at her tenderly and Patty blushed.
"Well... yes, after the summer when school term starts... I think it's appropriate to be close to my fiancé..." she added timidly.
Candy's eyes opened wide "your what?!"
Annie was speechless, her head turning from Patty to Tom trying to take the news in.
Archie and Albert chortled conspiratorially. Candy and Annie turned towards them "what? You knew already? And didn't say anything?!"
Albert's face turned apologetic "no, honey, not really, we only found out today from Tom, earlier on when you girls were talking to Patty's parents."
"Hmm... OK then, you are forgiven... but don't you do it again!" Candy leaned next to her to give Albert as small kiss as he too wrapped his hand around her shoulders.
"Well, come on then, let's have a toast: to Patty's success! To a bright future for a great teacher and an even greater friend!" said Archie raising his glass.
"To Patty and the future!" said everyone around the table.
Patty looked around her at her friends. For the first time in many sad months she felt happy and at peace. She wished Stear was still there to share in this joyful occasion but she also knew her heart belonged elsewhere now. She turned at Tom, who was full of pride and smiles for her achievement. She thought of how much support he had offered her during that last tough year of studying and his efforts to come see her and take care of her when she took refuge up at Pony's.
His eyes caught hers and he gave a most heart-warming smile. She knew then she had made the right decision to move out of the city and marry this wonderful young man...
***
"Dr Martin, this is my old colleague from the hospital Dr. Eirik Christiansen" Candy introduced the two men in the Happy Clinic.
"Ah, a true pleasure to meet you, Eirik. Candy and Albert have told me so much about you. Come, do sit down."
Dr Martin offered them both freshly brewed coffee.
"So, how do you propose we make this work out Candy?" asked Eirik once they had been through with the usual formalities.
"Well" started Candy "we know there is already a small clinic at Pony's but at present having a doctor work there full-time is out of the question. Dr Martin has been managing a day a week so far, but it is too time-consuming as he also runs this place here single-handedly..."
Dr Martin rubbed his chin.
"Now, Candy dear, I don't mind the trip, it's good to get away from Chicago from time to time, but the truth is that if the clinic is to provide more regular and reliable support to the villages near Pony's we need a more permanent arrangement in place."
"Yes, I agree Dr Martin and this is where I come in, I guess" said Eirik. "Albert and Candy have kindly agreed to cover all our expenses, as well as fund the refurbishment of the clinic there. I believe I can easily alternate between what I am doing now at the hospital and work in the village too. How does this sound?"
Candy smiled at her friend with immense gratitude.
"Eirik will work here at the hospital every other week and concentrate on advanced surgery only and then spend the other week at Pony's and run the clinic there. We thought he could try this for 6 months or so to see how it goes and then we'll take it from there."
"And of course I can still go up the weeks that Eirik is not available" Dr Martin's face lit up. "You know... yes, I think this could work!"
"Do we have a deal then?" asked Candy looking at her two friends intensely.
"Well, I am in for sure" said Eirik.
"And you can count on me too" added Dr Martin.
A bright smile graced her beautiful face.
"This is such great news, thank you both very much! I can't wait to tell Albert, he'll be delighted!"
***