It seems I have a few new followers as well as old friends. Thank you all so much. I really appreciate very much your reviews. I hope you enjoy them. Needless to say, I am no artist and have given descriptions where appropriate. You'll understand when you arrive at the place.
Chapter 22
The following morning Adam and John rode out to Carson City in the hope of finding a new pony for Mags. After seeing them off, Abby grabbed her sketch book, called the girls and together they made their way to Virginia City and school. Once the girls were dropped off, Abby made her way over to The Dickensian and Rachel. She found the front door open, which surprised her. Then she saw the notice in the window. 'Early breakfast available between 7am - 9am'. On entering she found a few of the tables occupied. She made her way through to the kitchen where she found Rachel working on preparing the breakfasts.
"Hi, Rachel, I see you've opened up for breakfasts now."
"Hi, Abby. Yep, it doesn't take much effort to provide breakfast once you have everything to hand. And besides all monies are gratefully received."
"Well that sounds good, as long as it's not too much trouble."
"No, not really. Look, why don't you sit yourself down while I finish these breakfasts. I can talk at the same time, you know."
"Okay, but only if you're sure I'm not interrupting you."
"No, of course not. As I said, I can talk and work at the same time. Now listen. I've had some thoughts."
"No, I want to know about you and John first." Abby questioned.
"There's nothing to know, we're just friends."
"Friends, my eye. It's more than that, I could tell. He stood up for you and I saw little looks between you yesterday, so be honest with me, Rachel."
"Well, okay. We have become good friends and I like him and I think he likes me." Rachel told her. "We've been seeing each other for over a month now. He's a very nice man."
"Oh, that he is. Well, I won't interfere, otherwise Adam will have my hide, so I'll just wish you all the very best of luck and hope he becomes 'the one'."
"Thanks Abby, and I hope so too. But let's not count our chickens before they hatch." Then, changing the subject, "Now about what I was thinking for the restaurant. One: I'll need to employ someone to help out with serving the customers, etc. Maybe two, working half a week each, and wondered if Ellen might be interested. And two: I need a notice board outside for messages and menu space."
"Adam could make something for you. How about something like this." Abby opened her sketch pad and quickly started drawing the type of thing Rachel might like. "Imagine, if you will a pentagon shape," she says as she draws, "with Dickens' face at the top, then the words 'The Dickensian' underneath and underneath again 'Today's Menu'." She held it up for Rachel to see. "That's Old English Text. If you don't like it I can change it for some a little easier to read but that sort of format, looks so authentic. What do you think? Would you want it free standing or attached to the wall?"
"Oh, Abby, that looks grand. I love it." Her face was lit up and her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stirred the beans. "Hold on just one moment, I'm just about ready to plate up these last two plates, then I'm all yours."
"That's fine, Abby. You finish up and I'll just keep sketching for new ideas."
So Rachel carried in her two breakfasts to the customers and returned within a few minutes.
"Are you sure Adam won't mind making something like that?" Rachel asked, not wanting to cause more work for either of them.
"Of course, he loves to create," Abby told her and giggled. The excitement of this project was getting to her too.
"There one more thing I thought about," Rachel quietly said.
"Oh, and what's that. Come on don't be shy. All ideas are welcome." Abby encouraged.
"Well, I was thinking how lovely it would be if I could change that plain front window into a bay with small windows like I imagine The Old Curiosity Shop might look like, with maybe a few curios in the window, you know, pretend things."
"Goodness, what a wonderful thought. Yes, that sounds just wonderful." Abby jumped up and grabbed Rachel's shoulders and squeezed. "A marvellous idea and something else we can entrap Adam into doing."
While Rachel continued cooking Abby quickly drew another sketch to represent the frontage for the Restaurant. As Rachel was washing her hands Abby got up and showed her what she had just sketched.
"How about something like this, Rachel. The size of the window will have to be decided, we could make the bay wider if required."
Rachel looked shocked. "Oh, don't worry Rachel, Adam would just love to do that. His architect skills are what he really likes to work on. He will love to do it."
"That looks precisely what I imagined. So like The Old Curiosity Shop. Do you really think Adam would create something like this?"
"Oh sure, he likes to be challenged." Abby said, with another little giggle.
"Well only if you are really sure. I'll speak with him myself." Rachel held up her hand, allowing no more discussion on the front window. "Okay then." Abby understood.
Rachel stepped back into the dining room with a coffee pot and to see if anyone else had come in. She went around the occupied tables to offer more coffee. Once the task was completed she returned to the kitchen.
"Now, Ellen did ask if there was anything she could do to help." Rachel stated.
"Yes, she did," Abby concurred. "She has become a dear friend with a heart of gold. What had you in mind?"
"Tablecloths. Just red and white check material. They have some in the mercantile. What do you think? And maybe with a small circular lace doily in the centre."
"It all sounds wonderful, Rachel, but if it were me I think the doilies should not be full lace ones, perhaps white circle material with just a small lace edging." Abby hoped she hadn't put Abby off the idea entirely.
"You're right. Just a small lace edging sounds right." Rachel agreed. "Perhaps Ellen could sew the tablecloths and doilies. Not too much for her, do you think, Abby?"
"No, she'll love to do it, to be of use and grateful being included in the refurbishing of The Dickensian. And it's not like it all has to be done by tomorrow. She would welcome a chance to do something worthwhile, not
that being a wife is not worthwhile, of course."
"Fine, I'll speak with her tomorrow then."
"Actually, Rachel, I've decided to stay in town today and take the girls home after school. So I'll have time to speak with Ellen. Adam and John have gone off today and won't be back 'til maybe supper time. So I would like to buy the material as a gift to you. And I won't take no for an answer."
"Oh, Abby, that's too much." Rachel was about to argue some more but Abby put a stop to her.
"You say 'no' to me and I won't offer my services. I'm serious about that."
"Abby, my dear sweet Abby. I can't say no then, can I." She gave Abby a hug and a kiss.
"Right, so that's settled."
"So, going back to when you came in, was there something you particularly wanted to see me about." Rachel asked. "I've monopolised the conversation most of the time."
"Yes." Abby opened up her sketch pad again and smiled across at Rachel. "I was excited about the project and started sketching right away."
"Yes, I can see you've been busy."
Abby passed the sketch pad over to Rachel who began looking at the sketches with a great smile on her face. There was one depicting Oliver watching The Artful Dodger picking a gentleman's pocket. Another one showing the inside of The Old Curiosity Shop with lots of items filling the room. Dick Swiveller and Marchioness from the same book. Nicholas Nickleby - Dotheboys Hall being 'fed' their brimstone and treacle. Scrooge and Marley's Ghost. And quite a few more.
"Oh, these are marvellous. Just the right sort of thing I need."
"Thanks, Rachel. Of course these are only sketches, just to see if it's what you visualised."
"Oh yes. And another thought just crossed my mind," she said.
"What's that?" Questioned Abby. "All your ideas sound promising."
"Well, I just thought if you make drawings of scenes from the novels, could you add a sentence underneath to describe the drawing?"
"That would be no trouble at all. Sounds good to me." Then Abby went on to say, "Oh dear, now you've got me thinking too."
"That's fine Abby, just keep them ideas coming. If it all gets too much we'll stop. So what is it you're thinking of?"
"What if we had a small library in one corner of the restaurant, just Dickens' books of course." Abby suggested. "They don't have to be new. I can pinch a few of Adam's."
"Oh no, don't do that. He'll only get mad and bring you trouble."
"Oh, I can handle him."
"Well, if the restaurant is a success, I'll be able to order and pay for some of his books." Rachel decided.
"And you could charge a small fee for the loan and return of the books." Abby suggested.
"Talk to Adam first please, Abby. Or he'll say I'm interfering yet again."
"Alright, alright, but I don't think it will be a problem and I think the idea of a small library might encourage the 'dignitaries' of Virginia City to think about opening a proper library. I know Adam would be all for that. He loves the thought of folks reading novels and educational books in order to broaden their horizons. He says it's the way forward."
"Oh, look, I have to leave you a minute, customers." And she immediately left to take the order.
Abby followed her out into the restaurant with a tray in her hand and helped clear the tables and took the money for their meal. Rachel had left a bill on their tables. One had left but left the money on the table, the other couple were just finishing up and paid her. She went back in the kitchen and left the money on the top of the cash box and proceeded to wash the dishes. When it was all done she sat back in a corner table of the restaurant while Rachel was preparing food in the kitchen. …
An hour later, Rachel and Abby were sat together again still discussing their ideas for the restaurant. Abby asked Rachel if she had any favourites with regards to the drawings.
"I think Oliver asking for more is a definite.
"Oh yes, look. I've already made a rough sketch of that while sitting here. What do you think?" The sketch depicted young Oliver holding his bowl out asking for more with the onlooking, astounded faces of other boys staring at the scene from their bench seats around the tables.
"That's ideal. Abby, you are so clever."
"Thank you Rachel. I think I must have inherited my mother's talent. She could paint beautifully."
"It's nice to see her legacy being carried on in this way." Rachel glowed in admiration. "You could become a great artist."
"I don't think so, but thanks Rachel, for the compliment." …
Abby left Rachel after her long visit, realising that she had taken up much of her time and needed to leave her to her work in running the restaurant. They smiled and hugged each other as Abby left and made her way over to the mercantile to buy the tablecloth material. While she was in there it registered that time had gone on and she was feeling a little hungry. So rather than return to The Dickensian she went to the International, not wishing to add to Rachel's chores for the day, had a few sandwiches and a pot of tea, as a kind of private dedication ceremony for The Dickensian Restaurant and the hope for it's success.
Once she'd had her fill she made her way over to Ellen's with her purchases. Ellen opened her door and was surprised to see Abby.
"Abby, dear, what a surprise to see you."
They give each other a great hug.
"I hope you don't mind me calling on you, but Rachel and I have been discussing the future of The Dickensian Restaurant."
"Come along in then and tell me all about it," Ellen said, inviting Abby in. "Let me take your jacket," and helped her off with it and placed it over one of the chairs. "Would you like some tea?"
"Thanks so much, but I'm rather full of tea right now, but you please go right ahead and make some for yourself."
"If you don't mind, I think I will."
So after tea making and settling down, Abby told Ellen of the decisions made earlier.
"Abby, I would love to make the tablecloths and doilies. I might even try and persuade Connie to do some sewing."
"That sounds good." Abby said. "D'you think Connie would do it?"
"I hope so. I'm trying to make her into a young lady."
"Jenny won't get jealous, would she?" Abby thought out loud.
"Yes, there is that."
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to say that out loud."
"That's okay. Maybe we could come up with something for her to do."
"How about Beth joins Connie for sewing lessons and maybe we could get Jenny and Mags to do something together too. Let's put our thinking caps on." Abby suggested.
"Fine."
"Now there is one more thing to mention." Abby told her.
"Oh, what's that?" Ellen was intrigued.
"Rachel is planning on employing two people for serving the customers and general tidying up duties."
"Oh dear, if she's offering me a job, that's very kind of Rachel to think of me, but I wouldn't have time for all that."
"No, listen. It's not for a full time position. Rachel was thinking of employing two people part time to cover the week, Monday through to Saturday."
"Oh, I see. That might work. What sort of arrangement is she planning?"
"Well, I believe a Monday to Wednesday and a Thursday to Saturday - 8am - 4.30pm. But I'm sure once Rachel has found her second employee, then maybe a different work time could be arranged. You know just mornings or afternoons."
"Yes that would definitely be more convenient for me. I'd love to do it and a little extra money coming in wouldn't go amiss."
"Oh that's wonderful, Ellen." Abby was so delighted that things looked good for working out. "Well, I think I ought to get going, time's going on and the children will be out of school soon." Abby stood up and took her jacket off the chair.
"Thank you for coming and telling me of all the plans and for including me in them." Ellen said, giving Abby a kiss.
"No needs for thanks, Ellen. You have become such a dear friend that we wanted to involve you in this venture. And I'm pleased you've accepted. Now perhaps you should call on Rachel to discuss the future."
"Yes, I'll do that." Ellen said as she made her way to the door. "Bye for now Abby, we'll see each other again soon."
"Yes, goodbye."
Ellen watched Abby walk away and felt joy in her heart. How blessed I am, she thought, to have found such good friends. …
Abby arrived at the school and waited for the children to be let out. The children appeared. Abby's timing seems perfect. In fact her whole day, time-wise, worked out well.
"Hello, girls, had a good day?" She asked.
"Yes, Mamma," Beth answered as she climbed into the buggy. "Miss Symons reminded us today of our projects and set the time limit."
As Abby helped Mags up and sat her on one side with Beth on the other, asked, "What's the time limit, Beth?"
"Two days before the end of the semester. Will I have enough time, do you think?"
Abby turned the buggy and started to make their way home. "Oh yes, you already know which author you're going to write about, right?"
"Who are you doing?" Mags asked, not wanting to be left our of the conversation.
"Well, I've decided on Charles Dickens."
"Oh, that's wonderful, what with The Dickensian Restaurant about to take shape. He would be most appropriate." Abby told her.
"Will you help me, Mamma?" Asked Beth, a little tentatively.
"Of course, I'd love to. I'm pretty sure your daddy will have some information you can ask of him." Abby looked across at Beth and then to Mags, then as in a secretive manner said, "Mr Charles Dickens once came to Virginia City and read to the Literary Society from his novels and he also stayed a while at the Ponderosa.
This raised a smile on Beth's face.
"Really, he actually stayed with Daddy."
"I don't remember seeing him," Mags shouted out, feeling annoyed.
"You weren't born yet, Mags, and Beth was just a toddler, I believe, and before you ask, I didn't see him either. I wasn't living in Virginia City then."
"I can write about his visit and ask people if they saw him or actually heard his readings."
"That's right, Beth. I'm sure the people who heard him would love to tell you all about it," Abby encouraged.
"Can I come with you, Beth?" Asked Mags, eager to be a part of this endeavour.
"No, you can't. This is my project. You'll have to wait 'til you have one of your own."
Abby could tell Beth was beginning to get irritated with Mags.
"Beth is right, Mags. One day you'll have be given a project and you'll want to do it all your own." She hoped by saying that she has successfully avoided an argument between the two of them.
"Do you think Daddy will tell me about his visit?" Beth asked of Abby.
"Of course, sweetheart. You know he loves to help, both you and Mags, in your studies.
"Like you do, Mamma," Mags pointed out.
"Yes, we both love to help you two, whenever we can. Don't ever be afraid to ask. Okay?"
"Yes, Mamma," they said together.
The rest of the journey home was very pleasant, talking of Christmas and how it was not so far away now.
Mags was pouting, then smiled as she heard Abby say, "But we have an important day to celebrate before that, do we not?"
"Yes, yes." screamed Mags.
"Alright, alright, Mags, that's enough," Abby said, hoping to calm her down. "Oh look, we're nearly home."
"Good," said Beth. "Will Daddy be home? I want to get started on my project."
"He may not be home 'til later. Daddy and John had business in Carson City today." Abby told her. "And besides I've projects of my own that I'll need help with. Mags, sweetheart, will you help me? Hmm?"
"Yes, Mamma, what will you be doing?"
"Well, it concerns the restaurant where Rachel works. There are plans for improvements and we are all going to be helping out. Even your father, although he doesn't know it yet." Abby said this with a sly grin. She then brought the conversation back down to earth. "I'd like for you girls to get on with your homework as soon as we get home."
"But, Mamma, we have chores to do first." Beth informed her.
"Yes, darling, I realise that, but I thought we'd have a late supper so your father can join us if he manages to get home in time, then we can all have supper together."
"But there's still the chores, Mamma," Mags reminded her.
"No, not today, sweetheart. While you do your homework, I'll do the chores as I won't need to start supper 'til later. Okay? That suit you two?"
"Oh yes," Beth said quickly, not wanting to change Abby's mind, "that's fine."
And with that they arrived home and each went their separate ways.