Chapter 6 - The Cherry Street Cafe

The fourth ticket would not be discovered for another five months. In the meantime, both Charlie and Isabelle had managed to save enough money during summer to buy a few more Wonka bars, all without winning a ticket.

Charlie was becoming sadder by the day and it broke Isabelle's heart to see him so despondent. She worried more and more about his mental health, especially when he told her how he was bullied in class by his friends, and made fun of by his maths teacher when he was forced to admit to opening only a few bars of chocolate, compared to the hundreds that his classmates were opening.

Isabelle fumed at how selfish and cruel people could be.

Charlie had even managed to get himself an old-fashioned paper route and was paid a pittance for the privilege of running around the wealthier parts of town to deliver vintage style magazines that touted the latest happenings in the world of Wonka Mania.

Charlie had worked himself to exhaustion with his little job each Friday after school.

To cheer him up one weekend, they went for a stroll along Cherry Street, the beautiful, yet tacky, tourist hub of the town. It prided itself on providing old-fashioned human service and keeping things as authentic as the 'good old days' as possible. Of course, not without some of the essential conveniences of modern life, such as CleanBot street sweepers, AutoCredit payments and iVend Machines cleverly dotted around the place.

The shops even allowed cash transactions, for those individuals rich enough to brag by using coins. It wasn't cheap to withdraw those from the Credit Dispensers.

Everyone now had a plan to make big money. Fame and fortune, it seemed, drove everyone into a frenzy. Hotels and private residences were already fully booked. Even though it would be another four months until Wonka would open the factory, the town was already bursting with excited people.

The residents took great pride in the knowledge that their little town was soon to be restored, they hoped, to its former glory days, thanks to Willy Wonka. The eyes of the world were focused on them now, and they had a reputation to live up to.

The hometown of Wonka Chocolates would not disappoint the world. Cherry Street was the pride and joy of the entire town and the mayor made sure it looked its very best for the cameras and world audiences.

The entire street had been given a make-over as soon as the Golden Ticket contest had become a worldwide sensation. Every shop had been repainted, fences repaired properly and gardens tidied and sometimes completely replanted to make the place look more inviting.

Banners and flags flapped merrily in the breeze and tiny sparrows hopped around the repaired cracks in the pavement, scavenging for any leftover crumbs dropped from passing tourists.

Media cameras and drones had begun to appear in more places as time passed and more winners were announced. The cameras and journalists had chosen any prime spot they could find to interview shop owners and any locals who wanted their fifteen minutes of international fame.

Thankfully, no one was interested in the two shabby individuals who ambled slowly along the pathway. They did not stand out in anyway as they moseyed along the path, gawking into windows, admiring the beautiful flowers and laughing as two sparrows wrestled with a giant chip they found on a bench.

Eventually, Charlie and Isabelle arrived at Bill's Chocolate Shop and Cafe. The prominent red building stood proudly on a corner and the large bay windows displayed sweets and chocolates in all shapes and forms. Charlie loved how Bill had managed to build a giant candy cane from thousands of smaller candy canes, whilst Isabelle admired the bright colours and shapes of the various glass jars.

As they pushed open the door, a quaint, old-fashioned bell chimed delightfully to announce their arrival. No one was paying any attention to them however. Bill, the owner, was cheerfully singing to a group of kids that were running amok in his shop and pulling candy of all sorts off the shelves and stuffing it into their mouths.

"Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two?" Bill sounded so very happy when he was singing.

Charlie and Isabelle found a little table set out of the way, and listened as he sang and danced around his shop. Charlies eyes were big and round as he stared at all the little candies on display inside heavy glass jars of all different sizes. He had a huge grin on his face and Isabelle was happy she had made the decision to splurge a little and take Charlie here for the day. Bill was the celebrity of Cherry Street, and it was always a delight whenever they met him.

After Bill's performance was over and all the kids had run outside with a sugar high, Bill bounced over to their table and asked what they would like to have.

After their order had been delivered, Isabelle began chatting with Bill, who eventually sat down with them.

"You look so happy today Bill," Isabelle commented. "I haven't ever heard you sing before; you have a lovely voice."

"Well, little lady, I sing when I'm happy and I haven't been this happy in years." Bill answered.

"Why is that?" asked Charlie, as he took a huge spoonful of his chocolate ice cream and shoved in his mouth.

"Hey, hey, hey, take it easy. You'll get a stomach ache if you swallow it like that."

"Manners, Charlie," Isabelle chimed in with a smile.

"Sorry." Charlie managed to say, after swallowing his mouthful.

Bill smiled at them both and clapped his hands together.

"Well now, to answer your question, I'm happy because Mister Willy Wonka is opening his factory again." He glanced Charlie. "… and that means that he may finally stop being a recluse, and come outside every now and then. Him and me used to be very good friends. Did you know that young man?"

"No. You've actually met him? He's your friend" Charlie sat up very straight and stared right at Bill in astonishment.

"Really, Bill?" Isabelle was a bit more sceptical.

"Of course, it's true." Bill huffed in mock outrage. "In fact, Willy Wonka opened his very first shop, right here." Bill drummed his hands on the table. "My father owned the building, and Wonka rented the space to sell his very first line of candies. It only took him six months to own the entire building outright."

Isabelle still looked sceptical, but Charlies eyes were huge as he drank in the story.

Bill continued. "Wonka was only fifteen when he opened the shop. I remember how impressed my dad was when he didn't immediately fail in the first year. I was a regular customer of his, and when he opened his factory, I took over the management of the shop and eventually bought it off him when he got too busy to care about it."

Bill grew sad as he reflected on the past.

"Willy and I were close friends and business partners for years. He was so happy all the time. He loved his work." Bill smiled sadly. "When he closed the factory and disappeared, I couldn't believe it. It happened so suddenly and I never saw him again."

"That's awful" Charlie looked devastated.

Bill perked up and smiled again at Charlie. "He never stopped creating delicious candies though, and I always got extra shipments. Even though he stopped all contact, he is still my friend and I cannot wait to see him again."

Bill jumped up and started singing again "Willy Wonka makes, everything he bakes, satisfying and delicious!" He did a funny little jig that made them laugh.

More customers walked into the shop, and Bill danced away to serve them.

The duo finished their ice cream and left the shop a little while later.

"Grandpa Joe said he worked with Mr Wonka in a shop on Cherry Street, didn't he?" Charlie looked up at Isabelle. "Do you think it was this one?" Charlie asked hopefully.

Isabelle looked thoughtful. "It probably was Charlie. Why don't we ask Bill next time we see him?"

"Yeah!"

They continued on their way, exploring the various quaint shops, both feeling much happier than before.