Thank you to all of my readers. This is the last chapter I have pre-written, so I guess I'm going to have to set aside some serious writing time now! That's if people think it's worthwhile of course! ;-) As people seem to be reading it, it would appear that they do think so...

If you recognise any of this from elsewhere it cannot be mine... No money being made regardless.

Settling In

Willie returned Charlie to his family just as they were beginning to wonder about what they would have for their dinner, and where it would come from. Wonka had immediately suggested that for that evening they join him, and that the following morning they go along to the floor kitchen where everything was stocked up. They could worry about eating from their own kitchen and dining area after that.

"I don't want you to feel you are restricted to this suite – not to eat or for any other reason. The factory is now your home, and as soon as we've been able to show you where the main rooms are you will be free to roam all but the production areas. We have a thriving community life here and you are free to integrate into it as much as you're willing to do so." He assured them gently. "Indeed, it is my hope that you will only retreat here when you feel the need for a little family time, or time to yourselves, and that you will join Mr Wilkinson, myself and the Oompa Loompa's in one of the other dining areas as often as you wish to eat with others, and partake in the other activities that are offered throughout the week as well."

As the family were taking in this flow of information, Wonka returned to the main issue at hand "A I suggested earlier, for tonight, I would be delighted if you would join me in my suite as my guests. It will let us start to get to know each other better. I do so hate feeling that others in my home are relative strangers to me. After all, it is well known that strangers are nothing but friends we haven't met yet." He smiled at them, and they soon found themselves wandering along to be seated in the lounge area of Mr Wonka's Suite which was just round the corner from their own. "My suite is the caramel suite." He informed them, commenting on the sweet smell which now surrounded them. "I just cannot get over the sweet flavour of caramel first thing in the morning. I wouldn't feel properly awake without it!" he further explained. "Feel free to taste it, but don't eat too much as dinner should be ready soon." He told them, pointing at the various edible areas in the room with an infectious grin.

Suddenly there was a rumbling from the kitchen area, and Wonka jumped up. "Just on time, as expected!" he exclaimed. He then invited Ellie through to show her the unusual food delivery service. "I so rarely have the time to actually cook myself a decent meal. If I were to attempt it in the evening I'd regularly find myself eating at midnight I think. Therefore the Oompa Loompa cooking division factor in all meals for myself and my guests. Another of my employee's, Mr Wilkenson, went along to inform the kitchen that there would be more food required here this evening." Ellie smiled at him uncertainly as she noticed something which looked like a tray floating up through something which looked like a stone fireplace. It bore 7 bowls of a thick soup and a basket of freshly sliced bread, alongside 7 bright yellow cups. "Aaaah. Looks like Mampa has been cooking today – the soup is her own special take on Lentil Soup. And that's Meme Sevet's wonderful bread. It tastes wonderful, and keeps forever. She must have baked a fresh batch this afternoon though as we were all out of it by the end of breakfast this morning." Then he turned to her with a smile on his face "the cups are a special treat requested by Charlie. They have a nectar of Mango or Pineapple, and once the nectar is finished, they make the most delightful crunchy-chewy treat I've ever tasted – and I've tasted a lot of sweets!" he laughed.

"Tomorrow I shall introduce you to the Oompa Loompa's responsible for cooking, and I'm sure you will come up with a sensible food plan between you – The options being having the makings of a meal sent up, or pre cooked food, whatever takes your fancy." He looked at the tired woman before him. "I don't want to take your independence away Ellie." He said gently, "but neither do you have to struggle on your own any more. The Oompa Loompa's are there, and are already doing this job – if you let them, they will gladly cater for your family as well."

Willy smiled as he thought of the enthusiasm his friends displayed when given the opportunity to help out with the day to day running of the factory beyond confectionary. Not every Oompa Loompa was really suited to that work, and they had formed off into different divisions to take care of so many different aspects of life, meaning he just had to get up in the morning, throw on a clean outfit and then get on with the business of running the factory.

"Of course," he continued, "if you'd rather you can cook from scratch in your own suite, or go down to the canteen on the next level and eat with the Oompa Loompa's themselves – though I warn you they can have some rather strange combinations down there, cacao beans feature in every single dish, James Wilkenson and I had to set up a special recipe book of things we like to eat as it all very quickly got too much ." Essentially they had got one of the Oompa Loompa cooks to write out their recipes, and then went and scored out every addition of cacao plant, substituting their preferred flavourings. They far preferred 'broccoli cheese' to 'broccoli in cacao sauce' for example.

" The other option is to go three doors down past your suite to the hall communal kitchen – you're as likely to meet James or myself there some nights, and we both regularly have breakfast there." The two of them watched as the tray zoomed through the open door into the other room and stopped on a handy table, Ellie trying to absorb all the information being given to her as she stood there. Both the information, and the system the food trays apparently worked on were well beyond her comprehension, as tired as she was. Wonka quickly moved through the room to place the different dishes at each preset place, inviting them all to take a seat around the table as he did so.

That meal passed quickly. The soup had been delicious, but so filling. Wonka had had three bowls of it, but the more frugal family had barely managed to finish their first serving, especially when had with a slice of the delicious nutty bread which had been sent up with it. "You'll soon build up an appetite here, best not to have too much at first until you're used to it – I wouldn't want you to become unwell by eating too much rich food all at once." Wonka told them compassionately, all the while nonchalantly munching his way through 4 slices of bread, smeared with a thick creamy butter. Then he had started on his flower.

Charlie was so desperate to try one that he cast aside his slight despair at the thought his tummy might rebel at this treatment and took a sip. The flavour was delicious, and to his great surprise, a few minutes after his first taste the churning in his belly began to calm down. Wonka smiled at his surprise. "The Oompa Loompa's know me well, and are aware just how much I like their cooking. The flowers I get sent along with food always have the addition of a special tummy calming mixture to guard against ill health. And best of all, it doesn't harm the flavour in the least!" he exulted.

At this news, the rest of Charlie's family quickly pulled the cup's to them and gingerly sipped from the cups. The first smile, at the pleasure of the taste, came at once. Then, a few minutes later, there was a slight relaxing of features as they sighed. They had all taken in far more good food in that one meal than they had managed over the course of a full day in recent weeks, because the Oompa Loompa's simply stuffed their soup to bursting with so many good vegetables, and Charlie's Mom had to rely on cabbage in water as the basis of every meal they had.

"It might also be an idea to have a sip from the water fountain in your lounge before you go to bed." Wonka informed them. "That has a special minty tasting waterfall, and mint is also supposed to calm the tummy." Grandpa George took especial interest in this news, and it wasn't long until the group moved over to the large soft sofa's which sat in the corner of the room

Wonka took a good look at Charlie, and noticed that he was bouncing at the edge of his seat, hardly managing to contain his excitement. It had been a huge day for him – and with the mix of the good breakfast, the mug of hot chocolate, and so many delicious confections as well as this excellent evening meal he was still full of energy. Wonka smiled at the boy's infectious excitement.

"I think it might be a good idea for us to have a little party!" he exclaimed. Quickly he slipped out of the room and fetched a few board games as well as Mr Wilkenson who he introduced to the other adults in the room. He suggested that James should play some of the games with the adults, while he entertained Charlie for a while.

With the grandparents happily playing a board game, and Mr Wilkenson chatting with Charlie's Mom when he wasn't required for his parts in the game, Wonka was able to turn his attention to Charlie. There was no way the boy would be able to sit still long enough to play any board game – and Wonka was rather concerned about how much sleep he might get if something wasn't done to work off that excess energy.

Slipping quickly into his room, he picked up a selection of party records, and when he joined the others again he requested that Charlie choose the first one for them to put on. The next few hours Wonka encouraged Charlie to tire himself out by dancing along to the upbeat tracks on the record. Charlie was initially reluctant, but the mix of his excitement, and the encouragement from Wonka soon found him dancing along to tracks such as "the Hokey Pokey."

An hour or so later, with the arrival of some glasses of refreshing fruit juice for everyone, Charlie collapsed on one of the couches. Wonka moved over to the couch and handed Charlie his glass. "This should help you recover a little young man!" he said with a cheery smile. Charlie grinned back at him, and turned his attention to the game his relatives were playing. It seemed like the team made up by Grandma Georgiana and Grandpa George were just about to win the game. Grandma Georgiana's general knowledge was excellent and this gave them the edge over the others.

One final round and it was all over – it seemed as if those who participated had really enjoyed their evening. With the game finally despatched, they settled down for a little more idle chit chat while everyone enjoyed their drinks, and a further hour slowly passed as the large group relaxed together.

Eventually however, there seemed to be a general consensus that it was time for the others to return to their own abodes. Mr Wilkenson and Willy were deep in conversation about what stage various jobs were at, and Ellie was starting to get the feeling that the family were currently surplus to requirements. At a look from his Daughter-in-Law, Grandpa Joe turned to Wonka and gave him his thanks. "If you don't mind Mr Wonka, it might be time for us to head back to our suite now and see if we can get a bit more settled in before calling it a night. Thank you for all your help and the wonderful evening!"

Wonka had smiled at him. "My dear sir, I think it is about time you called me Willy. All of you" he expanded, "except for Charlie, who has already agreed to call me 'Wonka.'" He stated with a smile. "I refuse to constantly have such formality in my home, and" he continued smiling round at them all "this entire factory is my home." The others nodded their acceptance, and began to filter out through the door – but not until Charlie had run up to the man and given him one last clinging hug. "I'll see you in the morning Charlie." Wonka had promised, when it began to seem that the boy might never let go, before gently leading him over to his mother. Ellie smiled at the older man, and wrapped an arm around Charlie before leading him to the door.