Saturday Nov 23

In the car, Bobbie turned to Johnny. “Johnny, we have to get changed. Mink will expect us to be fabulous. I’m wearing blue and the sapphires. You should wear that royal blue velvet dinner jacket.”

Johnny said he’d pick her up in 20. Bobbie went upstairs and put on a Black velvet skirt and a blue cashmere finely knitted vintage sweater. Then she did a light touch makeup and put on some jewellery because she knew Mink liked sparklies. She found her oversized pea coat and a nice knitted shawl that she wrapped around her neck and got her mitts and went down to greet Johnny who was just pulling up.

He jumped out of the car and Bobbie whistled in exaggerated appreciation. He had pencil legged silky pants and a nice white tee shirt and the blue dinner jacket. He opened the door for her. “You look smashing Bobbie; you must like when it gets colder and you get to wear all your knitwear.

“You know it.”

They pulled up to the house and Bobbie barely recognized it. She had been with Mink and Lorne and Rocco when they first saw it. No wonder it took almost a year.  The front door was moved to the centre of the house and there was a large veranda, with a roof, open on one side and screened in on the other. You could see that the back of the house had a second storey added on. There was a picture window on the open side and the screened area had fairy lights, a little gas heater, two chairs and a small table.

Bobbie headed up to the front door and peeked in the big window, the rooms looked big. The door opened before they could knock. Mink was dressed in a winter white knitted jumpsuit with a red silk bow tie. Bobbie didn’t have to touch it to know there was a little angora in the fabric.

Johnny gave a low growl. “You looked delicious Mink”

Mink blushed and ushered them in. “We are just starting the tour.”

They walked in over the dark wood floors and took in the floor to ceiling windows on either side of the house. The stairs went up in the centre of the house and one side was the living room and the other was the dining room and the kitchen was all across the back of the house. The space had ample natural light even with the porch across the front. On one side of the kitchen French doors went into a sun porch that had an intimate al fresco dining area.

Bobbie tugged Johnny’s sleeve. “They must have a double lot; they build a primary bedroom and bathroom on the main floor. Too.”

“That’s where all the bedrooms were, it’s Chase space,” said Mink, “Come upstairs and see Mink world.”

They walked up the grand central staircase and Bobbie smiled when saw Mink’s space. The landing was huge and had their creative studio and in the suite, the bathroom had glass walls. The dark floors had white shag rug area rugs that softened everything.

The walls were a powdery pink and with the dark floors and dark bedroom furniture it was stunning. There was a skylight above the bathroom. And light poured through the glass walls.

This is an amazing space, Mink. I remember the tired little house that it was.

“This is actually mamma and daddy Chase’s furniture. We’ve been sleeping in Chase’s sitting room I don’t like being so far from him when he’s feeling poorly. I don’t want him to be alone when he is restless and wakes up.”

“It must be hard.” Sympathized Bobbie.

People came in an out and she and Johnny chatted and nibbled snacks. They saw Lorne and Rocco and sat with them .

Lorn put his drink down. “Now Bobbie, tell me about your new baby. Honestly you just have so many surprises that pop up.”

Lorne was still living at her mother’s house. “Mom must be having a fit about it. Did she tell you the whole sordid story.”

Lorne frowned and shook his head. “Um no, she wouldn’t say anything. I would like to know where Madeline came from. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Mink came into the living room. “Chase is retiring so he says goodnight but I hope you all stay for the tasting menu that we’re serving shortly.”

Mink drifted by where Bobbie was sitting. “Joan is catering. Chase wants to see you in his suite.”

Bobbie nodded, she was glad she could have a quiet word with Chase. His primary suite was just as well appointed as Mink’s. The style was radically different. Asian area rugs covered the dark floor and the walls were covered with grass cloth paper. There were windows across the back and the was a high table covered in plants. There was a sitting area with a chair and a daybed; where presumably Mink was sleeping. The hospital bed didn’t belong in the calm room.

Chase was sitting on a chair in the sitting area. Bobbie perched on the daybed.

“Bobbie I’m so glad you came. Rocco and Lorne really did a great job didn’t they?”

“The home is so different. I love the kitchen too. There is so much light.”

“The old house didn’t have windows in the right places. The house is oriented East West. So, we get to see sunrises and sunsets now. But I want to talk to you about my job. I am finished my treatment and the doctor says I am improving daily and I find myself with nothing to do. I have always enjoyed the Christmas season, in our business and want to come back for a month and officially retire in the new year.

Bobbie thought for a few minutes. “Would Lochland stay on as you’re assistant? He knows that he is not permanent staff but it’s not very nice to get laid off before Christmas.”

“Will he be replacing me when I retire?”

“I’m not sure, I think he would benefit from your mentorship over the next month.”

“Excellent idea Bobbie, I’ll whip him into shape.”

“I’ll let you get some sleep now Chase. Maybe we’ll see you next week. You can come in whenever you like.”

“Goodnight Bobbie.”

Bobbie closed the door behind her as she went into the kitchen. Joan was there chatting to her wait staff and they were poised with various trays and baskets of napkins to deploy when the got the word.

“All right ladies and gents. Let’s get the tables set up and start circulating with the hors d’oeuvres.

Bobbie said a quick hi to Joan and saw Mink making a beeline towards her. Mink normally moved like a ninja so this was clearly important. “Did he tall you? He wants to go back to work. He can’t; he’s as weak as a kitten most days…”

“Don’t worry Mink, I understand. He’s just antsy and wants to retire on his own terms after Christmas. We’ll be there to make sure he rests a lot and Lochland is there to do most of the heavy lifting. I honestly think Lockland could learn a lot from him.”

“Lochland is a good kid. He’s Chase’s nephew and always looked up to him. This might work out.”

Mink shook off her anxiety, stood a little taller and drifted back into the living room. Bobbie smiled and went to join Johnny and Lorne and Rocco who had snagged a few trays of food and had them sitting on the low table in front to them.

“Good work guys, would anyone like a glass of wine to go with all this food.”

They snacked on food, sipped wine and the quiet string quartet, sitting in the massive entry was playing soft tunes. Bobbie sighed. “This is really lovely isn’t it.” She felt her pocket buzz. It was Charlie she jumped up and went close to the door so she could hear. Maddy was upset and was a little homesick. Bobbie said she would be right there. She found Mink and gave her apologies.

“Is everything OK Bobbie,” asked Johnny.

“There’s no big problem but can you take me to Charlie’s; Maddy isn’t happy and I want to take her home.”