Saturday March 2^nd

Barb and Trixie got up at the same time and Bobbie greeted them with water and Tylenol. She offered coffee and day old biscuit sandwiches and they were good as new when they left an hour later.

Bobbie puttered around her kitchen and cleaned up after the Friday evening revelries. Around noon she got a phone call. It was Joan, calling about an auction of used restaurant equipment in Citadel City the next day. Bobbie was immediately interested. She asked Joan if she would come along and help.

“The auction starts at 10AM and we should get an early start so we can check out the merchandise.”

Bobbie thought Mark should come too, but then Bobbie remembered he was still a bit awkward around Joan after his dismissal from school, so maybe not. Then she thought Lorne might like to come, but finally decided just her and Joan would make the right decisions.

They agreed that Bobbie would pick Joan up at 7AM the next day. So Bobbie prepared. She mixed up muffins that liked to rest in the fridge over night and set up her coffee maker. She had studied all the notes from Joan, Lorne and Mark on equipment needs and made a spreadsheet. She went to her office and printed it out and put it in her bag. She had a quiet bath and picked out her clothes for the next day and set her alarm for 6 AM. She hadn’t been up that early, on purpose, since she’d retired. She was asleep by 10 PM.

Sunday morning, Bobbie woke up, got her muffins in the oven, had coffee in two travel mugs and was on the road on time.

Joan was ready too and laughed, “I brought danishes for the trip; at least we’ll be well fed.”

“These danishes are really good. Homemade danishes don’t resemble grocery store pastry at all.”

There was no traffic on the road. Joan looked at Bobbie’s spreadsheet and said, “You have everything listed and roughly costed out. How much money do you have?”

“I had to take some money out of my investments and I am hoping to spend under 20 thousand. The figures I have on my spreadsheet tell me I can’t afford much with that, but Trixie doesn’t like me using my principle and I’ve spent my March budget.”

“20K would not cover all new equipment but since it is used, we should do quite well. This is too good an opportunity to miss, maybe we can update that spreadsheet.”

They arrived with plenty of time to look around the auction and Bobbie said, “This is amazing, I couldn’t imagine they’d have a walk in freezer.” The rest of the morning flew by and when it was all done, Bobbie owned a lot of restaurant equipment. Coolers and an ice-maker and glass washer for the bar and A large walk in fridge and a large commercial freezer along with tables, sinks and industrial mixers and meat grinders for the kitchen. Bobbie actuality lost track of everything she bought, Joan was a huge help. “Joan I can’t believe we could get so much of what I need at that auction.”

“Some of those big lots will have to be sorted and well cleaned. I don’t envy you.”

“Mark will help me get it all organized. He’s been great so far. I think you’ll be eating gratis at the restaurant for a long while in thanks for all this.”

They arrived at Joan’s and she said, “I’m actually pretty excited about your restaurant and have been thinking of how the cooking school could help and have kind of a cooperative venture.” Leaning against the car she said, “We could provide pastries for the restaurant if the student chefs could be credited on the menu. I might even want to cook the odd meal; I remember my restaurant days fondly.”

Bobbie was nodding furiously. “That all sounds awesome, I’ll keep you in mind and we’ll talk soon.” She wondered how Mark would deal with Joan in his kitchen. And who would boss who around. Maybe Joan could fill in when Mark had a day off.

Over the next few days, the equipment Bobbie and Joan bought was delivered and checked. Lorne cracked the whip and it was cleaned and installed by the following Friday. Lorne called a meeting to discuss the progress.

Bobbie poked her head in the door. There were workers installing marble, shelves and the big glass bar. Lorne came up behind her and said, “No peeking.”

Bobbie jumped out of her skin and they both had a good laugh.

“It’s so classy. Am I going to have to dress up to come to my own bar?”

“Your own bar… sometimes I forget who this work is for and have to remind myself that my dear cousin Bobbie has a big second act we are working on.”

“Oh Lorne I really think I have to start paying you.”

“Well Bobbie, your mom is still feeding me and housing me and I do have some paying clients. I’d just rather stay on as an unpaid helper for now. You wanted an upscale wine bar vibe in here though didn’t you?”

“Yes of course,” said Bobbie. “I am just more accustomed to pubs. We’re going to have martini’s too. We’ve also decided that the happy hour pizza will come with a free glass of red wine. If people want something else they’ll have to buy it. We’ll have beer and cider on tap but it will be full price. I’ve arranged everything with local vineyards and craft breweries.”

Behind Lorne, Bobbie could see out the door and watched as a truck unloaded what looked like benches and cushions. Lorne turned around and started to gush as he walked out to greet the delivery.

“They are perfect! Just bring them in here.”

They installed the semicircular dark wood stained benches along the windowed wall of the bar. The lush blue velvet backs were all attached. The seat cushions were installed next. Lorne pointed out that they had springs in them, were tufted, had removable covers and were made of a durable fabric.

“You thought of everything and I really love that colour blue.”

“I have the same colour for the chair seat cushions in the restaurant and the benches for the restaurant are similar with a complementary print.”

“I can’t wait to see it!” She sat on the bench cushion and ran her hands over the glass top table.

“Lorne, this is looking really good, I’d have to talk to Mark but do you think we could have a soft opening near St. Patty’s day? It’s next week, will we have all our stock by then? I’d probably invite mostly friends and family, you know, 50 of my closest friends.” Lorne thought it was a great idea and they started to plan the party.

Later that day, Bobbie got off the phone with her Mom and called Charlie to check on if they found a babysitter for the 16^th.

She texted Mark and firmed up the menu. She called Effie and asked if she and Drey would be available to work the party and Effie said they’d be glad to.

Bobbie went up to the contractor break room to meet with Rocco and get her update on the progress of all the renovations. Rocco was chatting with Mark when she got there, and she couldn’t help but notice how wide his shoulders were. He had a close cropped modern hair style that was streaked with a little grey and Bobbie figured he was about 45. He looked good for a middle aged guy. Bobbie gave him her best smile and asked how everything was going.

Rocco flipped a chair around and straddled it confidently. “It was plumbing week. We had our plumbing contractor on board and Lorne had detailed plans so the big rooms got the bathrooms and kitchenettes plumbed in, the smaller rooms were in pretty good shape so they just got my guys to help them change the fixtures to what Lorne ordered, and we got the restaurant drains and plumbing all roughed in. They started with SPOKES (the pub) and the public restrooms, and like you saw, they are all done. All that fancy marble tile looks great in the bathrooms and there is still a lot left.”

Bobby nodded, “I appreciate all the details Rocco, what will you be working on next week?”

“I’ve got my electricians here again and we’re doing some HVAC and work for vent fans in the new kitchenettes and bathrooms. It’s amazing to me that 60’s construction didn’t believe in bathroom fans. My construction guys are split between helping there and working on the new building next door.”

To help keep the guys working until April, when Bobbie got her next infusion of money, Greg was paying them while they helped his crew work on the new building.

On impulse, Bobbie asked Rocco if he wanted to come to the pub opening, explaining it was a closed event and flirtatiously added he’d have to wear green as it was a St. Patrick’s day party.

Rocco looked at the table and asked, “I suppose Lorne will be there?”

“Is that a problem?” Bobbie asked with some concern.

“Ahh noo,” stammered Rocco. “I was hoping to see him in a…in a more social setting.”

The penny dropped for Bobbie and she assured him that Lorne would be there too.