Neil didn't come neither on the next day, nor on the second day, although it was weekend.
His flowers had withered, but Candy didn't throw the bouquet out. Instead, she dried up the maroon heads and put them in the books.
The girl felt strange emptiness and absolutely no joy about getting rid of Neil.
Candy opened the wardrobe and drew out a handkerchief with "Daniel" embroidered on it.
"I really want you to have something from me... so that every time you take it, you could remember me," he said then. He kept her shawl that she bandaged his hand with.
Neil wasn't so bad. There was something good and kind in him.
Is he never going to come again? That's impossible!
Candy stroked the word "Daniel". Yes, he has a beautiful name.
When he comes, she will apologize.
But a new business week started, and nothing changed. Neil didn't come on Monday, on Tuesday or on Wednesday. On Thursday, miss White burst into tears for the first time during her night watch, when the phone never rang personally for her.
What is she going to do?
The nurses noticed that her mood had changed, and she hardly assured them that everything was okay. She didn't want to talk to anyone about this. It was her own business.
On Friday, Candy cried before work and during her lunchtime, sitting on the same bench where they had recently sat together.
On Saturday, she will go to his place and apologize. Fool, silly fool!
But on Saturday morning, she got a letter. She looked at the envelope with exultation, but it was from mister Albert.
She had forgotten about him. Completely. Strange.
Tormented by remorse, miss White tore up the envelope and read:
Dear Candy,
I'm sorry that I scared you, that I disappeared without warning you. I think it will be best for everyone. I'm at the place where I used to live before, I'm helping to cure animals. I like it here, in the nature, among common people. Back there, in Chicago, you were the only one to keep me. I already wrote to Aunt Elroy that I would not change my mind and would not go back to America forever. This freedom and these rules are repugnant to me. I won't be different now. Don't be sad, and always smile, Candy. It's not your fault, at all. I will definitely come again, maybe even soon. But I belong here.
Yours,
Albert
Candy sighed. Mister Albert loved her, but having found no love in return, he left. Candy could not do anything about it… Why is life such a complicated thing?
She sat with the letter in her hand, not knowing what to write back. A standard reply? Ask him to come back? What for? Everything won't be the same anyway, he doesn't want that. And she can't do the way he wants…
Candy put the letter on a table and started to dress. She's going to visit the Legans and try to speak to Neil.
The mere thought scared her, there were so many unpleasant people – Eliza, their mother… Aunt Elroy, who had told her off the last time.
But still she couldn't bear this silence any longer.
Candy dressed up and combed her hair back. He can't kick her out. He won't dare!
…There was the Legan residence. A huge mansion, the gates… She felt so tiny, so miniscule, so humble… The scale suppressed her.
Miss White took a deep breath and walked along the pathway towards the house. He can't just drive her away, can he?
The feeling living in Candy's stomach stirred, her palms began to sweat, and her heart was beating like crazy. Candy was repeating the apology speech in her mind, not to forget it. Yes… she… is sorry. She doesn't think so at all!
The girl walked up the entrance stairs in front of the door and asked a servant:
"Excuse me… Is mister Legan home?"
"Mister Legan?"
"Yes – Daniel. I need to talk to him."
"He has left, miss."
Left… but where?
"Today is his birthday, and he has gone to a party."
"Thank you…"
Candy went slowly down the pathway. Birthday, today! What a surprise, and she didn't even know about it. She didn't know anything about him.
What does he like? What is his favourite colour?
All they did was argue and fight.
Gone to a party… There must be pretty girls there. The elegant and polite ones.
They are going to congratulate him…
For the umpteenth time, miss White burst out crying right in the carriage.