Chapter 4 – The Contest is Announced

The early spring morning was shrouded in fog as Charlie walked to school the next day. Although the air was crisp, the day showed all the signs of becoming a beautiful day filled with warm sunshine.

As Charlie shuffled along, still half asleep, he noticed small groups of children starting to gather together in random sections of the town as he passed by. They all seemed quite excited and shouted and yelled as loudly as they could. Even some adults had been alerted by the ruckus and wandered over to see what all the screaming was about. Everyone had their phones out and waving them around.

Finally, curiosity got the better of Charlie and he joined the next group he saw. They were all clustered around a low set brick wall. Charlie eventually squeezed through the throng and stood at the front and finally saw what everyone was so excited about.

As he read the old-fashioned paper poster, his eyes got bigger and bigger and by the end he was smiling from ear to ear. He couldn't believe it.

Willy Wonka was starting a Golden Ticket competition for people to come and visit his factory. This was it. All he had to do was find one of the tickets and he could go and meet his idol. Charlie walked the rest of the way to school in a complete daze; the words Golden Tickets, Chocolate Factory and Willy Wonka swimming in his mind.

Charlie could honestly say he had no recollection of the rest of the day. He was still stunned as he met up with Isabella on the hillside later that afternoon. As soon as Isabella came into view, he couldn't contain his excitement any longer. He ran up and gave her a huge hug.

"Izzy, Izzy, you just won't believe it! I don't believe it! Willy Wonka is reopening the factory and holding a contest so people can go and visit!"

"I know Charlie, it's so exciting." Isabelle hugged Charlie back and was almost jumping in excitement. "Five lucky kids will be winning a tour to go inside and see everything. And the ultimate winner will receive a lifetime supply of chocolate too. What an amazing opportunity!"

Charlies smile faded and he dropped down onto the rocks.

"Well, in case you're wondering, it won't be me. I'll never find one, you'd have to open thousands of chocolate bars to find one. I don't stand a chance. It's never gonna happen, I can't even afford one bar."

"All you need is one."

Isabella slid something into his hand as she sat down next to him.

Charlie stared down at the dreaded package. He knew exactly what this present was. Isabelle and Mr. Wilkinson always bought him the exact same present each year to commemorate the anniversary of the death of his family.

They each gave him one Wonka bar to bring back memories of a happier time, not the crushing and painful memories of fire and smoke.

He knew they meant well, but it always stung just a little whenever they gave him the present. At least Isabelle tried to make the wrapper as garish and ugly as possible so he had a reason to frown. This years gift-wrap was obnoxiously pink and glittery.

He made a face as he held it up with two fingers.

"I'm not a three-year-old girl." Charlie grumbled.

"Are you sure Charlotte?" Isabelle teased. "Go on, open it, let's see if I picked a winner."

Charlie couldn't help grinning as he ripped off the giftwrap and wrapper.

"Here goes." He held his breath as he slowly peeled back the protective foil. What if he really found one, he wondered.

A plain chocolate bar greeted him and he sighed as he broke it and handed half to Isabelle without comment.

"Sorry Charlie." Isabelle popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth and chewed.

Charlie shrugged, but then grinned and bumped her with his shoulder. "Maybe Mr. Wilkinson will give me a winning bar." He laughed at Isabelle surprised face.

"Didn't you know that you both give me the same present each year?" Charlie asked in surprise. "I thought you planned it that way?"

"I had no idea he did that. You sneak, you get two lots of chocolate and never told me." Isabelle playfully shoved Charlie and the two began a mock playfight.

Minutes later they lay on the grassy slope laughing in delight as they stared at the distant factory and swapped funny memories of Charlies family. The afternoon sun glowed gold as it sank lower in the sky. It was peaceful.

"Here."

Isabelle sat up and Charlie felt a sudden weight as something landed on his stomach.

He sat up as well, and looked in disbelief at the second Wonka bar sitting innocently on his stomach.

"Go on, open it."

Stunned, Charlie looked from the Wonka bar in his hand to Isabelle's twinkling eyes.

"Go on, what are you waiting for?" Isabelle elbowed his arm as she sat next to him. "Rip it open kiddo, let's see some gold."

Charlie hesitated. "…but, this stuff isn't cheap. It's the second one today, what about your rent?"

"I couldn't help myself Charlie. I heard all about the contest at work this morning and I just had to buy another before they all sold out." Isabelle had a huge grin on her face. "Please, please, please just open it already."

"Ok."

Charlie took a deep breath and slowly, carefully undid one end of the wrapper.

Once again, no gold ticket was to be seen.

He unwrapped the rest of the bar, but there was not even a hint of a gold ticket.

Disappointed, they stared at the bar in Charlie's hand.

"Oh well, at least we have more chocolate, right?" Charlie grinned his signature grin. Isabelle gave Charlie a one-armed hug as he broke the bar in half and handed it over.

"Cheers Wonka." Isabelle raised her half bar towards the distant factory in a mock salute.

They savoured their treat in silence for a while, both lost in thought.

They parted ways and Isabelle returned to her apartment to prepare for her night shift at work. As she pedalled to her job, she pondered how she could contain the fallout when the inevitable happened and Charlie never found a ticket.

It was truly wonderful to see him so happy after such a long time. He deserved to go and see that factory, but Isabelle understood the reality all too well. His chances of finding a golden ticket were so low as to be non-existent. It would crush the last remnants of his positive spirit once the contest was over and she vowed to do her very best to minimize the damage.

Still, wouldn't it be wonderful if he, against all odds, actually found one. Just imagine.

Oh, she wished she could see the happiness and disbelief on his face. It would be proof that good things do happen in the world.

Isabelle sighed as she parked her bike outside her workplace.

It was time to start spending money, she decided. This would be worth all the overtime and so what if she didn't pay electricity for a while. She would manage somehow. This was an unmissable opportunity for Charlie, and things like this never happened often. Charlie was worth it.

Isabelle waltzed into work with a real smile on her face for the first time in months.