Part Nine:

When Darcy arrived back, the hostel governors sat her down and told her that she could not continue with this behaviour because she would end up in trouble. She remained silent. When they asked her why she had gone against the rules, she told them that she had no future here. She would have to leave soon anyway, when she became eighteen, and from then on, she would be on her own. 

Then Darcy had an idea of how to turn this into an advantage. She persuaded the governors to look at funding her for a term in college so that she could get her final school year grades.  Amazingly, they agreed. Darcy could pay them back each week from her earnings.

From dust and ash, there rises hope

A cloud of inspiration borne

On hues of blues which tantalise

A little bird whose heart is torn

Whilst head resolves with weary sigh

Heart utters sound of lost love’s cry

Now, solitary, the soul must soar

When lover’s space is but a void

Draw on skills from past, hard learned

That deadpan mask must be deployed

To brush aside all sentiment

And form instead, a firm intent

Chris had not come near the hostel since he had delivered her belongings and Darcy was sure that she would never see him again but, as she was serving lunch in the hotel one day, she looked up and there he was. He waited for her to take her break and then they walked through the park together.

It turned out that several things had happened. Firstly, the police had warned Chris to stay away for the time being. Secondly, since the festival, the band had been offered an incredible opportunity of studio time, to record some of their music professionally and send it to radio stations etc. The outcome of that was that they now had an agent and contracts with several clubs.

Darcy was beside herself with excitement and pleased that some good things had come out of their bizarre weekend. She told Chris about her college plans and they agreed that even though their lives were going in very different directions, which meant that they would see a lot less of each other, it was all good.

Times passes and the two evolve

Betwixt successful turns of page

He, pursuing choice and chance

And she, now graded, comes of age

Hand in hand their hearts accrue

The inimitable power of two

But time and tide, we know won’t wait

Each stage brings home a penalty

Into the frame steps future’s fate

With not a breath of subtlety

Destiny consigns its quest

Once more the bird must fly the nest

So sanctuary bids fond farewell

Its job well done, its role well played

A last look back reveals the end

The closing door, its accolade

                       *

This journey as a girl, is done

A woman’s life has just begun.

Throughout the years ahead, Darcy often looked back on that particular summer. It was mostly her happiest time, and had been abundant with possibility.