A Providential Accident
Chapter 2
"A real nightmare!"
Candy was dreaming in the train taking her to New York. She still had that bad feeling. In her dream, she arrived at the train station and she was looking for Terry everywhere and she couldn't find him anywhere…
- Terry, where are you? Terry! She yelled
She woke up startled in the train and Albert was sitting by her side and he hugged her.
- It's going to be fine, Candy…
- Oh Albert, it's awful… my dream… I was at the train station and nobody was there… Something is going on with Terry, I'm sure of it!
- We'll find that out soon enough, said Albert, come on, and calm down Candy.
- Thank you Mr. Albert, thank you for being here with me, said Candy hugging him, I feel so lost… Terry is not well, and it's serious, I can feel it…
- Hush, said Albert rocking her softly, try to sleep, you'll feel better in the morning when we get to New York.
- Thank you Mr. Albert, said Candy closing her eyes...
Albert knew how much Candy was worried, and if it's really because of what's going on with Terry, that meant they had an invisible link uniting them.
The train finally arrived in New York. Candy and Albert got off the train, but there was no trace of Terry.
- He's not here! I knew something was wrong!
- Maybe he's just a little bit late, said Albert
- He would've sent someone to come and pick me up…, something is going on… now I'm convinced.
- Where do you want us to go?
- Terry told me in his letter that he booked a room for me at the Royal Hotel… Let's go leave our luggage and get a room for you too, Mr. Albert.
- All right, let's go…
Candy and Albert took a taxi to the Royal Hotel, which was not too far from where Terry lived. The reservation Terry made for Candy's room was there and they took another room for Albert. They went upstairs to drop their luggage. Albert's room was a few doors away from Candy's. That later when to get Albert in his room to talk to him.
- I want to go to the theatre to see if Terry is there and ask him why he didn't come to pick us up.
- I'm coming with you…
They took a carriage and they went to the theatre. There was a poster of "Romeo and Juliet" but they didn't pay attention that the actor who was going to be Romeo wasn't Terry anymore.
- The door is closes, said Candy after trying it
- As a matter of fact, I think actors use the stage door…
- Yes I remember in Chicago, when I went to wait for him in front of the stage door, only to fall on the ground, pushed by fans…
While they were talking, they were both walking to the stage door entrance, and they knocked on the door. A few minutes passed and finally someone came to open the door.
- Yes? Said a main who seemed annoyed
- Hello, said Candy, I would like to see Terry, I mean, Terrence Grandchester
- He's not here! Said the man
- Do you know where he is? Asked Candy
- You'll find him at the hospital! Said the man
- What? Said Candy who felt like her heart was being ripped
- I said he's at the hospital! You're deaf or something?
He was about to close the door when Albert stopped him.
- Wait a minute, in which hospital could we find Terry?
- Saint Jacob… can I go now? I've got work to do!
And he slammed the door at their nose and left without turning back. Candy was frozen on the spot. The hospital? What was Terry doing at the hospital? Was he hurt?
- Albert…, Terry is in the hospital
- Maybe he went to see someone…
- Someone… My bad feeling is getting stronger and stronger… let's go to the hospital… Thank God you're here Mr. Albert, I feel like I'm going crazy!
- Calm down Candy. There's probably an explanation.
They took the carriage to get to Saint Jacob's hospital. The trip happened in silence and Candy had a heavy heart.
When they arrived at the hospital, they ran inside to inquire about Terry.
- Candy, let me do this, you're upset
- All right Mr. Albert…
He walked to the reception.
- Excuse me; can we get any new about Terrence Grandchester? Is he here?
- Yes, on the first floor, room 321
- Thank you, said Albert
He turned to Candy, who was shaking like a leaf; everything seemed to take life in front of her eyes. She prayed for Terry to be all right. He took her arm and they took the stairs to the first floor, they went together to Terry's room. They were in front of the door. They knocked to open the door and they found Susanna Marlowe who opened the door for them. Her face went somber when she saw Candy and Albert.
- Yes? What do you want? She said coldly
- We're here to see Terry…
Susanna got out of the room closing the door behind her.
- You have nothing to do here; I'm taking care of Terry.
- We want to have news about his health! Said Candy, what's going on? What happened to him?
- It's not of your business! Terry is not your problem…
- He sent me an invitation for the premiere, said Candy, if he's not well, I want to know what's going on with him…
- You're disturbing the peace in this hospital; I'm going to have you thrown out! Said Susanna
- I have the right to know what's going on! Said Candy, I'm worried!
- I'm not going to let you go near my fiancé! You've distracted him enough as it is!
- I don't know what you're talking about! Said Candy and I don't care, I want to see Terry and I want to see him right away!
- There is no way you're seeing him! Leave! Said Susanna pushing Candy
Candy pushed her back and they would've started fighting if Albert hadn't been there. Nurses arrived and doctors too…
- What's going on here? Asked a nurse
- Do you think you're at the theatre, Miss Marlowe? Said the head nurse ironically
- This young woman had nothing to do here, said Susanna, she's a fan who snuck into the hospital to come and see Terrence… She's got nothing to do here.
- I'm not a fan! Said Candy, I'm his friend! Stop lying Susanna!
- Nobody has even seen you here… I'm as his bedside since the accident… where were you?
- But …,started Candy
- Get out of here! Terrence needs calm!
Susanna ran to Terry's room, she opened the door, got in and she closed it behind us.
- Wait! Said Candy, Susanna!
She turned to the doctor who was looking at her.
- Can you tell me what's going on?
- Miss, said the doctor, I think you better leave…
- But doctor…
- Good bye Miss…
- But… Mr. Albert…
- Come here Candy…
- But I have to find out what happened to Terry
- After what just happened… they are not going to tell you anything… let's go, I've got an idea…
- What kind of idea? Oh Mr. Albert! Terry is just meters away from us and I can't see him!
- Calm down Candy, everything is going to be fine…
Albert took Candy's hand and she followed him against her will…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the gang was at the train station waiting for the New York train. After discussing for a moment with the great aunt Elroy and Mr. and Mrs. Brighton, the gang got the green light… Since The Andrew's mansion was already occupied by the Reagan's, they were going to live in the Brighton's mansion. Living with the Reagan, wasn't part of their plans.
- Candy is going to be very surprised to see us, said Annie.
- And Terry too, said Patty
- We're probably going to ruin their plans, said Archie with a mocking smile
- And you love that, don't you brother!? Said Alistair
- I'm sure Terry would find the time to have Candy to himself, said Annie.
She knew that it bothered Archibald that Candy was alone with Terry. They all got on board and the train left for New York.
oOoOoOoOoOo
In New York, Candy and Albert went back to the hotel to change and eat something. They were in a restaurant near the hotel.
- I'm not hungry, said Candy pushing he plate away
- You have to eat to have your strength …
- I want to see Terry!
- And I told you that I was going to help you…
- By doing what?
- Eat your meal first…
- I can't swallow anything!
- Eat. I have to go talk to someone
- To whom?
- Don't worry about that… I'll be back…
Candy looked at Albert stunned. The later walked to the door. He disappeared for a moment. Candy ate the food without paying much attention to what was on her plate. After a while that seemed to last forever, Albert came back with papers and he gave them to Candy.
- What is this? Asked Candy
- It's your resumé…
- What for?
- So you could get a job…
- Why would I need a job? I have to concentrate on Terry!
- And what's the best way to do that?
- Not by working?
- Really? And why not? What's your profession?
- You know very well Mr. Albert! I'm a nurse with a diploma! And I don't see the point with Terry…
- And where is Terry?
- At the hospital! Mr. Albert, come on…! What's wrong with you?
- And the job you do, where can you do it?
- What?
- Answer my question, Candy…
- In a hospital, said Candy with a little voice… oh my God, Mr. Albert! You're a genius! Thank you! She said louder.
She stood up to hug him hard. She took the file…
- Let's go…
- You go and change first… we made a scene earlier on, we might get thrown out if they see us so soon…
- All right.
Candy went to her room to change. She put on a simple and elegant dress. And she tied her hair in a bun close to her neck. She got out of the room and she saw Albert getting out of his room. He was wearing a gray suit with a white shirt, he was very handsome.
- Albert, you're very handsome, said Candy smiling
Albert was used to Candy straight forward talk, but he felt all funny and he blushed.
- Thank you Candy. You've changed your hair do, it makes look older… not like a little girl anymore…
- All I know is that my hair is so thick… well; I suppose it was time for me to get rid of my pigtails…
- You're very beautiful too, let's go get you hired.
- You're sure I'm going to get hired?
- I have a friend, who knows a friend… well, that's what I was doing while you were eating…
- Oh Mr. Albert, thank you!
Candy didn't want to know what Albert had done… He was wearing a very elegant suit… but for the moment, she was thinking about Terry… The rest is secondary…
They arrived at the hospital and they went to the director's office.
- Hello, said a man in his fifties, sitting behind his desk.
- Hello, said Candy.
- Hello, said Albert.
- You must be Mr. William Albert Andrew and this is your daughter, Candice White Andrew.
Candy was stunned and she didn't way a word and she had her eyes wide open.
- As a matter of fact, I'm a friend of the duke of Grandchester, and I contacted him to inform him of the state of health of his son and he asked me to make sure that his son had the best care possible in your hospital. So I told him that I had a daughter who was a registered nurse and he asked me to hire her to be his son's personal nurse. Then he told me to give you this envelope to help this hospital, with the war in Europe, hospitals are starting to be low on nurses. I'm also giving you my daughter's résumé for your files.
Albert gave the director an envelope in front of Candy's astonished eyes, who still couldn't say a single word. The director took the envelope with a smile and he said:
- Thank you very much, Mr. Andrew, we also got the telegram for the duke. She can start right away. Monsieur Grandchester is still unconscious… and the more unconscious he is the worst his condition is getting…
- But we have to do something! Said Candy who suddenly got her speech back
- Well, we hope that the trust the duke has in you is well placed, said the director, even if I don't think that you'll be able to do anything…
- I'm going to do my best to help him sir, said Candy
- Very well. You go see the head nurse and she'll give you a uniform… and enjoy your job. Mr. Andrew thank you for your generosity…
- Good bye, said Albert shaking the director's hand
- Good bye sir, and thank you, said Candy shaking his hand.
Candy and Albert left the director's office. Once the door was closed, Candy turned to Albert.
- "Daddy"? Said Candy
- Candy, I'd like to explain to you…
- Not now "daddy", I have to go change to finally go see Terry.
She jumped to his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
- Thank you very much. You can't know how happy I am at this moment! I love you daddy!
Candy left and Albert looked at her a little stunned.
Candy went to the head nurse's office and she gave her a uniform her size. She had recognized her; she was the young girl who had made a scene to see Terrence Grandchester, the fan, according to Susanna Marlowe. She thought something was fishy, but who was she to disobey the director's orders? Miss Marlowe was not going to be happy… but too bad for her! Ever since Terrence Grandchester was there, she was bossy and pushing everybody around and bothering them all the time.
- You know where the patient's room is. Enjoy your work, Miss Andrew…she said ironically
Candy felt the hostility of the head nurse.
- Ma'am, I can assure you that I'm a qualified nurse.
- Yes of course with highly placed father…
- You saw what happened when I tried to see him the normal way… when the meat gets too hard for teeth, you cut it with a knife. Terrence Grandchester is my boyfriend, I'm not going to stay back and let Susanna Marlowe steal him away from under my nose! Thank you ma'am.
Candy left the room and she went directly to Terry's room. Susanna Marlowe wasn't there, but there was a nurse present.
- Hello, said Candy, I'm Mr. Grandchester's new personal nurse…
- You're the girl who made a scene earlier…
- You can check with the head nurse, I'm here legally…
- I'm going to check, said the nurse getting out.
Candy wasn't listening anymore. Her eyes were fixed on the patient, her Terry. He had a bandage on his head, his eyes were closed, the face serene. She approached him. She touched his face softly.
- Oh Terry! She said smiling, there's a special way for you to greet me! On a hospital bed? But you've been unconscious too long, you know that? You have to wake up now, or you're going to get weaker… but I'm going to make sure you wake up… I'm going to talk to you until you wake up to tell me to shut up… you know I'm an orphan right? I'm going to tell you my story…
Candy started talking to Terry, without getting tired, for hours… It was the day of the premiere; Susanna was probably at the theatre for the representation…
Candy's friends arrived in New York…