Chapter 12
As he turned the corner Pacey saw that Doug was already waiting for him outside the restaurant. He glanced at his watch. He was only five minutes late but Doug wouldn't be happy which, for what Pacey had planned, could mean problems.
Doug spoke first as he saw his brother approaching "Where have you been? I thought we said half past three."
"We did. I just had to fetch something first. Are we ready to go?
"I was ready at half past!" Doug was only half joking, he didn't like to be kept waiting "Where are we going? I don't like it when you get all mysterious."
"Relax. All will be revealed very soon"
"I don't like it when you tell me to relax either, it makes me nervous!"
"Today, my dear brother is about the future of Pacey Witter."
"Now I'm terrified!"
"Quit complaining, let's get going"
Doug pressed the button on his keys to unlock his car. "How come we're taking my car?"
"I've been drinking!"
"At this time of the day? I don't believe how stupid you can be sometimes!"
"That was a joke Doug. My car's getting a service; I can't pick it up till later."
"One day you'll find something you can't make a joke about Pace"
"You mean like when my big brother needs me to help him through a really difficult time in his life. I sure hope I can take him seriously"
The hurt tone of Pacey's voice rendered Doug silent for a second or two. "I'm sorry"
Pacey looked across at his brother as he turned the key to start the engine "I forgive you but don't do it again."
Suitably chastised Doug started the engine.
Two minutes later
"Stop here Doug. This is what we're here to see"
"Are you serious? We could have walked here quicker!
"I wanted to keep the sense of mystery alive"
Doug climbed out of his car and looked around. His eyes fell on a semi derelict building. "That's the Ice House"
"Sure is."
"I don't understand. Is that what we've come to see?"
"Right again"
"That's enough of the intrigue Pacey. What are we doing here?"
Pacey grinned "Let me explain. As you correctly observed this is the Ice House- former Potter family restaurant..."
Doug interrupted "Get to the point!"
"...and it is for sale! Pacey made eye contact with Doug "... and I want to buy it!"
"What!"
"I want to buy the Ice House and open my own restaurant"
"That's what I thought you said." Doug stared directly at his brother "You're serious about this aren't you?"
"Totally. And I think I can make it work Doug, I'm practically running the place I work now anyway. What's the difference?"
"Where do you want me to start Pace? Firstly, where are you going to get the money?"
Pacey knew this was going to be the most difficult part of the afternoon. "That's really why I've brought you here."
"I hope you don't think I'm going to finance this mad scheme!"
"It's not mad and by the time we leave here I'll convince you of that" Pacey hoped that this statement sounded more confident to Doug than it did to him. "I would like you to invest something but the majority will come from the bank, they've agreed to give me a loan."
"How long is it going to take to pay that back?" Doug was surprised how far down the track Pacey had gone with this.
"Until I'm about fifty-five! Which is a very scary thought."
"And yet you still want some of my money?"
"Well the loan will cover the purchase of the building but as you can see it's in need of some remodeling."
"That's one word for it; it looks like it's falling down."
"Don't exaggerate! The main structure of the building is fine but I admit it does need a lot of cosmetic work."
And you can't do anything unless you get some extra money from me."
"Correct. You have all the power here Doug."
Doug leant back against the hood of his car. He couldn't get his mind straight about this. Was it the craziest idea he'd ever heard or could it be the making of his little brother? Eventually he found some words "I can't give you an answer now, this needs thinking about."
"I didn't expect anything immediately, take your time." Pacey reached into his pocket and retrieved some keys "Would you like to take a look around while we're here? Maybe I can make it all a bit clearer."
"Is that why you were late, you had to get those?"
"I left them at home this morning!"
Doug laughed "Great start for a potential business owner, losing your keys!"
"I didn't lose them. I knew exactly where they were!"
"And you want to be in charge of an entire restaurant, I can almost see the chaos!"
"Is that your way of saying no to me?"
"No it's not and neither am I saying yes, don't pressure me Pacey I'll tell you as soon as I've made up my mind" Doug looked seriously at his brother who got the message and just nodded. They picked their way up the overgrown path and went to explore the Ice House.
Forty- five minutes later and the Witter brothers had finished their tour of the very dusty and dirty Ice House. Pacey found a couple of chairs in the bar area and brushed the dust from them. Doug accepted the invitation and sat down. "So Doug what do you think? Be honest, please."
"I'm as surprised as anyone to be saying this, but it's not as bad in here as I imagined. I think it could be brought back to something amazing and you might just be the person to do that."
Pacey almost fell off his chair in shock. "Did you just say what I think you did?
"Yes! Which is why I'm not going to repeat it. Don't get too excited I'll need to see all the details before I hand you any money."
Pacey leant over, tipping his chair onto two legs and hugged his brother tightly. "You won't regret this Doug."
"Make sure I don't." Doug pushed his brother to arms length away "I'm serious Pace, if this is going to come together you need to grow up completely- no more teenage antics."
"I will, I promise. How hard can it be? You managed it!"
Doug began to laugh out loud. "I wish I had some of your courage and confidence, you are fearless!"
"Believe me I'm far from fearless. I have many doubts but some things are just so important that you have to charge ahead and take a chance."
"How do you know when that time is?"
"When you can't live with yourself if you don't at least try. You'll know it when it happens and then you'll find the courage you need."
"If you say so, now let's get out of here I need a drink!"
Pacey looked at his watch "At this time of the day, is that wise? I not sure it's a very grown-up thing to be doing!" "
"Shut up before I change my mind. You do know that I can obstruct your liquor license application don't you?"
"And bring shame upon the honor of Capeside Law Enforcement, you wouldn't dare"
Doug folded his arms across his chest "Try me!"
Pacey stood silently and looked around the Ice House. He couldn't believe that it was the grand opening tonight, it had only been four months since he'd let Doug in on his plans and now all the paperwork and construction was finished.
"Is it all ready?"
Pacey turned at the sound of Jack's voice behind him. "I think so. What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd see if there was anything I could help with."
Pacey looked at his watch "Aren't you meant to be meeting Jen?"
"She's running late so I'm meeting her at the B&B, come with me."
"I can't Jack, it's only five hours till we open!"
"Is there anything you can do here?"
"No not really."
"Then an hour or so break will do you good."
Pacey looked around the restaurant "You're probably right. I've been here since 6 o'clock this morning!"
As they walked towards the car Jack inquired as to how Doug was.
"He's fine as far as I know but I've been obsessed with this place recently. Why do you ask?"
"I haven't seen much of him myself. I've invited him out a couple of times, just for a run or to see a movie but he keeps making excuses."
"You don't believe him?"
"I get the feeling that he's trying to avoid me for some reason"
Pacey tried his hardest to look surprised- he'd told Doug Jack would notice that he was keeping his distance. "He's got no reason to do that has he? You two haven't had a falling out."
"Not that I'm aware of. Is he coming tonight?"
"Definitely. I have a 100% guarantee that nothing will stop him!"
It was five minutes to eight and Pacey was nervous. This was finally it, after all the hard work and worry; the Ice House was ready to open again. Pacey felt a light tap upon his shoulder and turned to see that his brother had finally arrived.
"At last. I thought you were going to miss the start."
"Sorry. Is everyone else here?"
"I think so; I've shaken hands with hundreds of people already." As they spoke the photographer arrived and asked him if they were ready to go. "As ready as I'll ever be. Doug stay with me while I do this- it's terrifying!"
"You'll be fine. Just say a few words and then let the drinks flow freely." They embraced for a second and then Doug stood back and watched his brother welcome everybody and wish them all a good evening and as the applause started Doug felt nothing but pride in his baby brother.
"How was that?"
"Perfect."
"I couldn't have done all this without you Doug and in case I get too drunk to say it later, thank you for everything." Pacey raised his glass in salute.
"Ok That's enough. Go and mingle you need all the goodwill you can get." Doug watched as his brother drifted towards the nearest group of local dignitaries and started to charm them in the way only Pacey could.
Doug strolled further into the Ice House and was surprised at just how crowded it was. He looked around and as far as he could see the great and good of Capeside were all in attendance. He spotted Jen's blond hair and made his way towards her and Jack.
"Doug, great to see you again." Jen reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek. "This place is amazing, the boy has done good!"
"I know I can hardly believe it's all come together. How long are you in Capeside for?"
"Only today and tomorrow. I don't like to leave Grams to cope with Amy on her own for too long."
"I'm sorry she's not with you, I've seen some pictures and I was looking forward to meeting her."
"It's easier to travel by myself. Why don't we meet up tomorrow and I'll give you an update. Have you seen the most recent photos?"
Jack spoke for the first time since Doug had joined them. "No, he's been too busy recently."
Doug looked at Jack's face. He was smiling but Doug had sensed some extra meaning in Jack's words. He was confused. "It's been crazy recently, what with this place and work I've barely had time to get home."
"I presumed that was it but I did ask Pacey if you'd been avoiding me."
Doug's defensive walls were now up. "Why would you think that?"
Jack shrugged his shoulders "Oh just a feeling I got but if you say I'm wrong I believe you."
"Not all of us get all the summer free to laze about on the beach Jack." Doug almost spat the words out.
"Good point." Jack turned to Jen and grinned "I guess I take my life for granted sometimes."
Jen had been a spectator to this exchange and stayed silent as Doug made an excuse and left them. Once he was out of earshot she questioned Jack "What was that all about? I feel like I'm missing something here."
"It's nothing. I'm just working through a theory I have."
"Are you planning to let me in on the mystery while I'm here?"
"When I know I'm right I'll tell you everything"
The empty champagne bottles now littered the tables and the crowd had thinned considerably. Jen and Doug were sat together, Jack was at the bar talking to the barman. He'd been there most of the evening. Jen realized that for the last five minutes or so Doug had barely been paying any attention to her He was staring intently at Jack. She turned in the same direction and watched as the barman reached across and wrote something on the back of Jack's hand.
"Sorry Jen I have to go." Doug quickly rose from his seat and disappeared. Jen, taken by surprise, had no chance to reply. She was brought out of her shocked state by Jack's voice behind her.
"Has Doug gone?"
"Yes, just this minute" She reached for his hand to look at the number written there "I see you've made a new friend?"
"His name's Rick or Nick, I didn't quite catch which. When exactly did Doug go?"
"About the same time you were getting that new tattoo. He was watching very closely."
"I noticed."
What is going on Jack? You look very pleased with yourself."
"I need to go and talk to the Sheriff."
"What! Right now! I've barely seen you tonight."
Jack hugged her and promised that he'd spend all tomorrow with her and then he left.
Jen sat for several minutes trying to organize the evening's events into something that made sense to her but she got nowhere.
"You look miles away." Pacey was standing next to her chair. "Are you all alone?"
"Doug ran off and Jack followed him."
"Why?"
"I have absolutely no idea but I might ask you to escort me home as it seems I've been deserted."
"It would be my pleasure Miss Linley. You can give me your opinion on the new Ice House."
Jen grinned at him "I can do better than that. I can give you Joey Potter's opinion on the Ice House!"
Jack hurried along the street. He presumed that Doug was heading home. Thoughts were rushing around in his head tumbling over each other. Jack hesitated when he reached Doug's house, he took a deep breath to fortify himself and then knocked firmly on the door. He'd guessed correctly, Doug opened the door and was obviously very surprised to see who his visitor was.
"Jack! What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk about why you can't bear to spend any time with me. Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer Jack walked past him.
Doug stood on the doorstep filled with fear about what was about to happen but knowing that he couldn't run away, not from his own house. He shut the door and tried desperately tried to compose himself.
