Lorne’s design was complete. The restaurant had 4 luxurious semi-circle booths along the South West wall with new high windows letting light into the space above them and 10 tables of four that ran down the middle of the room, in two rows. The booths held six to eight people there was space along the North Western wall that was also filled with new windows that looked over the ocean.

“We have room for a head table or buffet or small stage along there.” Said Bobbie.

Trixie show up at the door, coming through SPOKES and made her entrance. She was walking slowly and was looking tall and stylish and perfectly made up. She wore heels, a long tight skirt and matching form fitting sweater and big jewellery. Her long hair was perfect. “Hello, I’m Trixie. I’m so glad you are here.”

Chase stood with his mouth open, Lorne’s eyes narrowed and Bobby was trying to not look too pleased.

Mink walked over and gave her a European style kiss on each cheek or at least the air around each cheek. “Hello Trixie, this is Chase Jackson and I’m Mink. We are talking to Bobbie about joining her staff.”

“I’m pleased to meet you and I’d love to join the tour; please don’t let me interrupt you.”

Chase looked around and said. “So 14 tables.”

“There are more in the wine bar and patio.” Said Bobbie

Mink moved over to one of the 2 doors to the kitchen and went in. Mark was standing there with his whites on, his hands clasped and was moving from one foot to the other.

Mink smiled and said “You must be Chef Mark. Lorne has mentioned you. I hear you are the keeper of a sourdough. “

“Yes.” Said Mark. He was excited to meet Mink and he couldn’t believe they asked about his sourdough. “My Gram used to make sourdough bread and then Mom got it and now I have some that I use it for my Pizzas and always keep it going in my kitchen here and at home as back up.”

Mink nodded. “Do you have your luncheon menu yet?”

Mark shook his head and Mink assured him they would create something together.

Mink turned to Bobbie and Trixie.“High Tea is mine.” Chase and I can both handle a 16 table bar or restaurant. But we’ll need bussing and dish-washing. Mink walked out of the kitchen, though the exit door and towards the bar. Bobbie looked at Mark questioningly he nodded and gave a thumbs up. His face was awash with emotion and he showed wonder and relief and excitement all at the same time.

Bobbie followed Mink and turned to Trixie. “We really need to hire a dishwasher. Mark and I usually do them and we’re getting to big for that now.”

Chase was already in the bar. “It’s a beautiful bar top and I love the outside space, there is a lot of light he said looking at though big corner window. Who tends bar?“

“Mostly Mark, while he cooks Pizza, we were open every evening and had a happy hour for a month or so to introduce the place. Effie, my head of housekeeping would help and I had a student do the last couple of hours at night. We’re closed this week; the patio tables are new and now that we have a Lunch service planned we’re not having happy hour or staying open late. Except on Friday and Saturday night” Said Bobby. “Right now we have no hostess but when we start serving more meals we’ll have a hostess too that will help close up.”

Mink raised their eyebrow. “So, we have a high tea to serve as a salon for the art lovers, a breakfast and lunch for the motel guests and a party for everyone on Friday and Saturday; you want to be all things to all people with a skeleton staff.”

Trixie looked concerned. “Do you think we’re trying to do too much?”

Mink nodded. “Don’t worry, just close after lunch service and do not worry about Friday and Saturday parties just yet. You have a restaurant with a continental breakfast and high tea and a licensed beautiful patio lunch space all week. Sort out the luncheon and high tea service before doing anything else”

“That makes perfect sense Mink, thank you.” Said Bobbie, she couldn’t help but notice that Effie, Mark, and Lorne all looked relieved and awed and excited. They moved around the patio and towards the main reception door.

Chase said. ”This is motel reception and an art gallery, works very well.”

Mink stopped and took in the high ceiling and tall windows large staircase and windowed boardroom. They moved over to Lacey. “And who are we?”

Lacey kept her cool. “I’m Lacey Thurston, I own and operate the Art gallery. We have the beginnings of a gift shop over here.” And pointed at some shelves behind the desk.

“So you’ve had the grand tour. I really hope you like what you see.” Said Bobbie.

Mink spun around. “Thank you for the lovely tour I am so pleased to meet you all.”

Then Chase looked at Bobbie and Trixie. “Mink is anxious to view our accommodation.”

Lorne explained that they were redoing their house so he had suggested they stay at the motel while the work is being done.

“Buy all means.” Said Trixie. “I guess you’ll want a suite, first or second floor?”

They decided second floor. They went all the way around back of the motel and up the stairs and across the metal walkway to room 11. Before they got in, Chase said. “The ocean view from up here is a bonus, we may need a couple chairs.” They went in through the back door and noticed how much light shone in from the new windows and glass doors. A double balcony faced the pool. They looked out and went back inside. There was the main bathroom by the back door and then a kitchen with a big island that looked out the window at the mountains that faced the living room. There was a dining table along the wall to the left of the kitchen. They went down the hallway and saw two bedrooms, one on either side, with a bathroom between them. One had a window with a sea view and the other had a window with the mountain view.

“This suite is perfect” Said Mink finally. “Chase dear, you must take the sea view. We should go get our things.”

“How much will the suite cost?”

Trixie said. “1200 per week.”

“Excellent, we’ll take it.”

Effie appeared in the door with 2 digital key cards. “Here are your access cards, Quin will take care of registration.”

They all left the suite through the back door and went down to the parking lot where they found Lorne had moved the car and was waiting to take them home. They waved on their way out of the parking lot.

Trixie turned to Bobby. “At least they will give us a bit of motel business while they live here. I can’t imagine we can afford to hire them. I doubt if they’ll work here Bobbie.”

“Your probably right. Mink and Chase bring so much experience and could really improve our operation. I really steered us in the wrong direction with concentrating so much on the pub.”

Trixie nodded. “Don’t beat yourself up; the pub was the only part that was finished at the time, we made made enough money to keep the lights on. I bet Mink and Chase regret even coming here though.”

“Don’t be so negative Trixie, you don’t regret coming here do you?”

Trixie laughed. “I liked it so much I talked my boyfriend into building me an office here.”

“He just liked your friend enough to help her with her motel.” They were standing by Bobbie’s back door and she looked at her watch and asked if Trixie wanted to come up for a glass of wine.

“I’d love to but I have Roger’s mom’s paperwork to do because I am headed out to their place tomorrow, with Roger and Effie, to try and get things sorted out.”

“You are a saint Trixie, be sure to expense it.”

“Sure, Money Bags!” Laughed Trixie as she walked away.

Bobbie called out to Trixie. “I’ll find us a dishwasher.”

She went upstairs and called Joan and asked her were to find a dishwasher.

Joan replied. “A half way house.”

“Why do you suggest that?” Bobbie wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with young offenders in her kitchen.

“It is a nice unskilled job to help someone who needs a new start.”

Bobbie told her that the restaurant was finally finished and she was looking for some student bakers to get some treats for her tea service. Joan said she couldn’t wait to see it. Bobbie thanked her and thought a minute. Maybe she should go back to the soup kitchen where she found Effie. She looked up half way house on her phone anyway. She decided to go tomorrow and see who she could find.

Johnny appeared. “I’m going to get some Thai food. They can make it gluten free. I’ll be back soon.”

“That’s great Johnny.” Bobbie poured herself some wine and thought about what a relief it it was to talk to professional restaurant people and then felt a little silly for thinking she had it under control.