Chapter 13
    “Boarding school blows…or not”

    Candy and Terry were glad to be back home with their brothers and sisters, whom they missed so much. They gave them their presents and they spend a lot of time together as a family, just the children. They went sightseeing, acting like tourists, doing the London Tour on the bus, screaming and having a lot of fun. They bought souvenirs, t-shirts saying “This lousy t-shirt was a souvenir from London”, for their collection. Terry had bought t-shirts in every single city he was with his mother for the premiere of her movie, saying the same thing. That made a lot of t-shirt for their collections. Candy had brought some for Australia too. They went to eat junk food. There was a discussion as to where to go.

    - I want McDonald’s said Gwendolyn

    - I want Burger King, said Candy

    - I want Wimpy’s said Terry

    - Well I want Chinese, said Junior

    - All right, said Terry since I’m the eldest, I say let’s go Chinese, we can eat different things there…

    - Fine, said Candy, guys?

    - All right, said the younger ones

    - I think Gia needs a change, said Candy

    They went to the Chinese buffet and had a lot of fun eating different food. They went back home in early evening. The kids were tired. They all went straight to be for a nap before dinner. Georgie was at the door, taking Gia.

    - Hello precious, she said, did you have fun with your brothers and sisters?

    - She had a blast, said Candy smiling

    - What about you two, asked Georgie looking at them, did you kiss and make up?

    - We wanted to spend time with our brothers and sisters, we missed them a lot, said Terry

    The butler came at the door.

    - Master Terrence, telephone for you, Miss Maire…

    - Thanks you, said Terry, excuse-me ladies

    Terry left to talk on the phone with Linda. Georgie looked at her daughter

    - Are you ok, sweetie?

    - I’m fine mum, said Candy smiling

    - Did I miss something?

    - No mum…

    Candy’s cell phone rang. She looked at the display.

    - Everything is fine mum… hello? Archie? How are you ?

    Candy walked away, talking to Archie. Georgie went to take care of her baby, wondering what the kids were plotting…

    It was dinner time and the children were all excited talking about their day. The table was very noisy. Candy and Terry were also talking with the others, without talking to each other.

    - I’m glad you two get along, said the duke

    - We’re fine dad, said Terry

    - Really you seemed at odds at the airport when you came back, said the duke

    - Well, I kind of snubbed Candy, said Terry, that’s why she was upset, but we’re fine…

    - It’s good that you took your brothers and sisters out, said Georgie

    - Yes, said the duke, really good, giving what’s going to happen…

    Candy and Terry looked at each other.

    - Not now, Richard, said Georgie, we’re eating!

    - All right sweetness …

    The happy atmosphere was ruined for Candy and Terry. They knew their parents were going to drop another bombshell on them. Georgie realised what happened and she looked at the duke with angry eyes. After dinner, the little ones went to watch television in their play room. Candy and Terry were summoned. The duke and the duchess left the table for the living room.

    Candy and Terry stayed behind, dragging their feet.

    - What do you think they’re going to tell us? Asked Candy

    - I don’t know, said Terry

    - It doesn’t sound good…

    - They found a way to separate us again…

    - Well let’s go before they send the police after us, said Candy

    They left the table and walked to the living room. It was the same living room where they were told they were going away for the summer. They kind of hated that living room, because they were going to get bad news again. They were sure about it. The duke was having coffee, sitting on the couch and his wife was having tea sitting by his side. The duke smiled to them.

    - Come on, you two look like you were just given the death sentence!

    - What do you have to tell us? Said Terry

    - Why the hostile tone, son?

    - Because every time you call us in this living room, it's for bad news!

    - You already send us away for the whole summer, said Candy, what are you going to do now?

    - You’re going away for school, said the duke

    - Boarding school, said Terry, that’s all?

    - That’s all, said the duke

    - You’ve got to be kidding me! Said Candy, I don’t want to go away! I want to stay home with my brothers and sisters!

    Georgie noticed that Candy did not mention them.

    - You’ll see them over the week end, said the duke

    Candy looked at her mother.

    - Why are you doing this mother? You don’t want to see me anymore? You should’ve left me in Australia!

    - Candy, baby…, said Georgie upset

    Candy ran out of the room. Terry looked at them.

    - Is this still about that kiss? Said Terry

    - I want you to be in a disciplined environment for your education, said the duke

    - That’s bullshit!

    - Terrence!

    - I’m dating another girl, she’s with her dandy… what more do you want?

    - I will not tolerate that kind of language!

    - I apologise, said Terry , may I leave now?

    - Dismissed! Said the duke

    Terry left the room. Georgie looked at him.

    - Are you sure this is the right thing?

    - I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust them to stay away from each other…

    - They’re dating other people…

    - It’s a little too real, as a matter of fact… who say they don’t kiss while the lights are out?

    **********

    Candy was on her cell phone with Archie.

    - Yes, boarding school! Isn’t that awful?

    - Well, I think it’s great!

    - What?

    - My parents are moving to Saudi Arabia for their work, with the war in Iraq, they don’t want to take us there… and Anthony’s parents are already away… so boarding school was our solution this year… the perfect solution for our folks. When they’ll come to visit, we’ll go see them…

    - You have a good reason to be in boarding school, my parents are living here! They sent me away!

    - Don’t see it like that. It’s going to be fun!

    - Oh Archie, said Candy…

    Terry came to her room.

    - I have to go, call me tomorrow…

    - By the way, Eliza and Neil are also going there as a punishment

    - Great! They’re going to poison the atmosphere… anyway, bye

    - Bye sweetie…

    Terry entered the room. He went to sit on the bed with her.

    - What did the dandy say?

    - He’s going to boarding school too!

    - What? To be with you?

    - No, their parents are moving to Saudi Arabia…

    - Oh…so Anthony is going to be there too?

    - Yep! And the Reagans…

    - Why?

    - Punishment, whatever! This is a nightmare!

    - The duke doesn’t trust us…

    - I think they knew all along they were sending us to boarding school! After separating us for the whole summer, they found an almost permanent way to separate us…

    - Boarding school

    - They don’t leave boys and girls together…

    - Of course not, we have different dorms but the classes are the same, in the old days, the classes were separated too…

    - We’ll be going to the same school, we just won’t be coming home…

    - On week ends…

    - Not sure I want to come on week ends…

    - What about the others? You won’t want to see our little brothers and sisters?

    - Of course, especially Gia, I missed her so much when I was in Australia… why are they doing this to us??? I’m so angry with them!

    - For that kiss!

    - Of course, for that kiss!!! I can’t wait until my yacht gets here, I’m going to live on it!

    - Your yacht?

    - Yes, my grandfather gave me a yacht as a present

    - Ok… they have a shipping company…

    - Yes, and your mother’s yacht is getting made too

    - Seriously? That guy is buying her a yacht? Well I hope she marries him if he makes her happy

    - Did you meet him…?

    - Yeah, I did… but she would go see him more than he would come

    - She didn’t want to expose you to her sex life, nice…

    - I thought she was going to be like those Hollywood actress, drinking at the first hour, doing drugs…pills, sniffing, smoking…changing partners, but she’s legit… I’ve seen her only with her boyfriend… The glamorous life didn’t go to her head…

    - What about you?

    - What do you think?

    - Have you seen orgies?

    - I didn’t stay long enough to let that happen…

    - You were with good girl Linda!

    - I’m sorry I kissed her

    - No you’re not! It was her reward… don’t lie to me

    - All right, Marie, I won’t lie… it was her reward and I enjoyed it, but not as much as your kisses…

    - Gee thanks!

    - Come Marie, you’re going to kiss your dandy…

    - We have to continue the charade?

    - Don’t you think so? They have to be convinced that there’s nothing between us…

    - They might end up separate our schools…

    - This is so unfair…

    - They want to make sure we don’t end up together…

    - But we’re going to make sure we end up together when the time come… this is just a bump on the road. Let’s not lose track of our goal…

    - Together, forever.

    They kissed for a while and then Terry went to his room. Candy locked the door of her bedroom. Georgie came knocking:

    - Candy? Baby? Please open the door…I want to speak to you , Candy…

    Candy was upset with her mother, but she would never not open the door to her. She stood up and went to unlock her door. Then she walked away.

    - Candy?

    - What do you want Mum?

    - I know you’re upset

    - Do you?

    - Come on boarding school could be fun…

    - My friends are going to be going back to their homes…

    - Well I talked to Annie’s mother , since Anthony is going to boarding school, she’s sending Annie there too…

    - Why?

    - She wants her daughter to be near the boy she loves …

    - Smart woman…

    - Candy, I’m on your side. I’m your mother, I will always be on your side, no matter what… Think about this as an experiment, some kind of pre-college life… with discipline…

    - You’re going to be with us until the end? Because I’ve been telling you since the first time I saw Terry, he’s my husband…

    - How could I forget that? So baby… you’re not mad at me anymore?

    - No, you know I can’t get angry at you for long…I love you mum

    - And I love you baby, don’t ever doubt that!

    They hugged and kissed.

    **********


    The duke was in Terry’s room.

    - Can I help you with something? Said Terry

    - I just want you to get the right education…

    - By punishing me for kissing my sister…

    - You do know how weird that sounds?

    - We’re not related by blood dad…

    - I adopted Candy, she’s your sister in the eyes of the law…

    - Whatever…

    - I came to tell you about you future bride…

    - My what?

    - Lord Barrington, has a beautiful daughter, very pretty, she would make the perfect mate for you…

    - Right? Why are you the one choosing my bride?

    - Terrence…

    - Thank you father, but I will choose my own bride

    - As long as it’s not your sister you can chose any girl you want…Elizabeth Barrington is going to be in boarding school too

    - What is it with all the nobility parents this year? What’s with the boarding school?

    - I would like you to date her and see if you can imagine having a future with her…

    Terry looked at his father.

    - You not only want me to go to boarding school, but also to date Lord Barrington’s daughter? I’ve seen her, she’s dreadful!

    - Terrence…I hope you’re going to do what I say, if you know what’s good for you…

    - Is that a threat?

    - I think your mother would love have you with her permanently…

    Terry looked at his father with mean eyes…

    - You blood…

    But he stopped just in time…

    - You were saying? Said the duke

    - Why are you doing this?

    - I’m glad we have an understanding…Good night son.

    The duke left the room and Terry was fuming! He now wanted to be in boarding school, so he could be far away from his father!

    Candy and Terry went back to school shopping with their little brothers and sisters and they had a lot of fun. Since they were going to be separated, they spent the maximum time with them. On Sunday night, the day before school, it was time to go. Terry seemed eager to go now. Candy was sad to leave her little brothers and sisters.

    - I’m going to miss you, said Gwendolyn

    - I’m going to call you everyday, said Candy kissing her

    - This is so unfair, said Junior, you were gone for the summer, now you’re leaving for school?

    - I know buddy, said Terry, but we’ll come and see you…

    - Speak for yourself, mumbled Candy

    She and Terry looked at each other. They got in the car with their parents. Nobody was talking in the car. They arrived at Saint Paul and they went to the office to get their keys. They walked Candy first.

    - Terrence, you wait here, said his father

    Candy and Terry looked at each other. Then Candy left with her parents. He stayed there in the lobby, when Anthony arrived with his cousins.

    - Hey Terry! Said Anthony smiling

    - Hey! Said Terry

    - What are you doing there ? Said Archie

    - I’m waiting for my parents, they went to take Candy to her room, said Terry

    - Well why don’t you come with us, said Alistair, we’re going to the boys dorm, you have you keys?

    - Yes, said Terry, where are your parents?

    - Our parents? Said Alistair, they left this morning, we’re on our own

    - And our dear great aunt is way too old to take us here, we’re big boys, said Archie

    Terry looked at the cousins. Left on their own and they didn’t feel sad at all, because they had each other. That was the most important thing for them. He had his parents driving him and to school, and he was sulking. Why not turn the experience into a good one? Stop feeling sorry for himself and enjoy life. He walked to the office and he saw Sister Margaret.

    - Sister Margaret?

    - Yes, Terrence?

    - Can you tell my parents that I walked to the dorm with my friends? They can follow me there…

    - Very well Terrence

    - Thank you sister, said Terry, come on guys, let’s go!

    The four boys walked to the dorm talking and laughing

    - By the way, said Anthony, did you get anywhere with that Barbie doll of yours, Linda?

    - What do you mean by “getting anywhere”? Said Terry smiling

    - You know, smooching, kissing…

    - What? You don’t believe what the tabloids said about me? Said Terry

    - I was with you in Paris, said Anthony

    - And? Said Terry

    - Well you seemed to get along great…

    - She’s a great girl, said Terry

    - Did you kiss her? Said Anthony

    - What do you think? Said Terry

    - You lucky son of a star! Said Archie, you kissed Linda Maire!

    - You know, said Terry, she’s just a regular girl

    - Linda Maire? Regular? Said Alistair, you’re kidding right? No party all night, orgies, booze, drugs?

    - Is that what you think I was doing for all that time? Asked Terry

    - Dude you were living the Hollywood glamorous life, we all know what the entails…, said Archie

    - Gee, Cornwell, I’m glad you’ve got such a high opinion of me…, said Terry

    - I was with Terry in Paris, said Anthony, he was not living the way you think…

    - But you kissed Linda Maire, said Alistair, how was it? How is she? Promiscuous?

    - Oh my God! Said Terry laughing, is that all you guys think about?

    - Euh… yeah! Said Archie

    - Well I hope that’s not all you think about with my sister, said Terry, because if you touch her, I’m going to kill you…

    Archie looked at him and blushed. Anthony and Alistair burst out laughing. They got to their room and Terry’s room was next to the cousins room.

    - Looks like we’re neighbours, said Anthony

    - Cool, said Terry

    He got in his room… it was big, nice, there was a computer, a telephone… He started putting his clothes away…

    **********

    Meanwhile, in Candy’s room…

    - You like your room baby?

    - It’s fine, said Candy

    - You’re going to be fine?

    - Mum, I’m not a baby…

    - Call me if you need anything, at anytime

    - Mum…

    - Sweetness, she’s going to be fine, she’s a big girl

    - Thanks dad, said Candy, and I’m sorry if I was rude when you gave us the news

    - It’s all right baby, said the duke, you were in shock, you’ll see this is going to be a very good experience

    - Maybe, said Candy

    - We’re going to go take Terry to his room…,said the duke

    He hugged Candy.

    - Sweet dreams baby

    - Bye dad, said Candy

    - Bye baby, said Georgie

    - Bye Mum…

    There was a knock at the door.

    - Can we come in? said Annie’s voice

    - Annie! Said Candy and Patty! Oh my God !

    - Hey Candy! Said both girls, Your Grace, Duchess…

    - Hey girls, said Georgie smiling

    - Hello ladies… I see you’re in good hands, said the duke, bye baby

    - Bye mum and dad, said Candy

    - Bye, said Annie and Patty

    The girls were alone and they hugged and talked about their vacations.

    **********

    The duke and the duchess went to get Terry only find out he went to his room with his friends.

    - He could’ve waited for us, said the duke

    - Richard please, don’t make a big deal out of this, he just wanted to be with his friends

    - All right, let’s go.

    They walked to the boys’ dorm. When they got to Terry’s room…

    - That’s funny, said Georgie, it’s the same number as Candy’s

    - Really? Said the duke indifferent, they’re brother and sister…

    - Or soul mates…

    - What?

    - Yes, soul mates, they share the same soul, so they got the same room number

    - Don’t be ridiculous sweetness, you women see romance everywhere; they have the same room number because they’re brother and sister! Same last name…

    - What are the odds that they get the same room number…?

    - Honey, please…

    - All right…

    They knocked on the door.

    - Come in! They heard

    They opened the door and they got in and they found their son putting his stuff away.

    - Terrence, said the duke

    - Are you settling all right? said Georgie

    - I’m fine Duchess…

    - You could’ve waited for us…

    - I’m sorry dad, I saw Anthony and the Cornwell brothers

    - And you didn’t want to look like a baby waiting for his parents, said Georgie smiling

    - That’s right Duchess, said Terry smiling

    - Are you all right? You have everything you need?

    - A car would be nice, said Terry joking

    - Continue with the good grades, you might get one for your birthday, said the duke

    - Really? You’re serious?

    - You were kidding? Said the duke, I wasn’t …

    Terry looked at his dad. A car, would help him go places with Elizabeth Barrington! The duke doesn’t do anything without an agenda.

    - Thanks dad… I think, said Terry

    Georgie hugged him.

    - Bye honey, she said

    - Bye Duchess, said Terry hugging her back

    - Did you call your mother? Said he duke

    - I didn't have the time to tell her I was going to boarding school, said Terry

    - I’ll call her and tell her and give her your new phone number…

    - Thanks dad

    The duke hugged him.

    - Good night son, he said

    - Good night dad…

    The duke and the duchess left. Anthony came to his room with his cousins.

    - Your folks are gone? Said Anthony

    - We wanted to give you some privacy, said Alistair

    - Why? Asked Terry

    - To say goodbye, said Archie,you’re lucky your parents care enough to take you here themselves

    - Right, said Terry who didn’t want to comment

    But he knew he was lucky his parents were so caring, maybe too caring, but it felt nice. The boys continued talking. They were going to have dinner in a while.

    - Boarding school food, great! Said Terry

    - No more gourmet food, said Alistair

    - It can’t be that bad, said Anthony

    - Are you kidding dude? Said Archie, English food sucks! No offense Terry

    - Hey, I’m half American…

    - Yeah about that… You’re Eleonor Baker’s son? You little secretive! No wonder you freaked out when I told you she was hot and asked you if you fantasised about her…

    - That was kind of weird, said Terry smiling, you were talking about my mother!

    They burst out laughing.

    - So we’ve been fantasising about your mom? Said Alistair

    - Kind of gross, if you think about it, said Anthony, but a good gross

    - A good gross? Said Terry

    - That’s an oxymoron, said Alistair

    - Smarty pants! Said Anthony

    They burst out laughing again.

    - The collection of DVDs was impressive, said Archie

    - We came to London over the summer and she was impressed and she sent my dad what was missing, rare screen tests of some of her movies, that kind of things

    - Can you get me a copy of that? Said Archie

    - Why don’t you write her and ask her yourself? She’s going to be happy to help one of her biggest fan and my friend…

    - Really? Said Archie, thanks!

    - It’s dinner time, said Alistair, let’s good guys…

    - Let’s go eat the horrible food…

    - I think the little fridge in our room is going to be useful for take out food…,said Alistair

    - I knew you were the smart one! Said Anthony, perfect solution, order take out!

    The boys went to dinner and they met Neil, who snubbed them. They didn’t care, they were friends and they didn’t need Neil to spoil that.

    Candy and her group were going to dinner too, talking and laughing… they met the boys at the door.

    - Hey ladies said the guys

    - Hey gentlemen, said the girls

    - You guys make me wanna puke, said Eliza’s voice

    She passed them and she jolted Candy on the way…Candy pushed her back. Eliza almost fell and she hung on to her friend Louise, but it was too late, she fell on the floor… The whole school was laughing. Eliza was humiliated. She was hating Candy so much at that moment.

    The little group went to have dinner, all together at the same table.

    One girl was looking at Terry with seductive eyes. Terry felt stared and he looked at her…

    “Elizabeth Barrington, he thought, you may be beautiful, but my heart is already taken…” He thought.

    Candy, who was sitting next to Terry followed his eyes and she saw Elizabeth wink at Terry…

    “Not another one…” she thought.

    She looked at Terry and she couldn’t make out what he was thinking. He felt observed and looked at her and reassured her with his eyes. They smiled at each other. It happened so fast, the others didn’t notice…

    Boarding school is going to be one big adventure for our forbidden lovers…

    Chapter 14