Chapter 1
Stockholm, Sweden
January 1999.
The International Inventors Association meeting is currently underway in a conference hall, with prominent delegates from all over the world seated. Mr. Craig Ferguson, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, is the Chairman of the International Inventors Association and is hosting this prestigious event.
After much discussion on various topics, with the conference ending, Craig finishes the conference by speaking into his microphone while adjusting his reading glasses with his finger.
"Before we draw this conference to a close, I shall discuss the subject regarding the host city for this year's annual inventors' summit and a new award which shall be rewarded annually as of this year moving forward"
With an elegant envelop in his palm, Craig reveals to the captive audience waiting in such anticipation.
"In this sealed envelope will reveal the city that will host the Inventors Summit, which will take place in October of this year..."
He smiles as he delicately opens the top of the envelop and pulls the letter out. Craig makes the announcement in a cheerful manner, "The host city for this year's inventor summit is... Glasgow, Scotland!"
Several rows of clapping hands stand up before him, As the ovation subsides.
Craig adds, "Now on to the Inventor of the Year award, there are without a doubt many worthy candidates of this prestigious award from all over the world, selection will begin with the first one hundred."
After taking a breath to keep his speech straight, he continues. "Then it will be narrowed down to three candidates, on whom the panel will make the final decision, nomination letters will then be sent out to the last three candidates closer to the time."
He finishes the conference by saying, "That concludes this year's conference, thank you very much. Wishing everyone a safe journey home."
The entire delegation stands up and applauds once more...
Stu's workshop, Eucaipa, California.
September 1999.
Stu spent much of his leisure time in his workshop, downstairs in the basement. sketching out ideas for his next project. As he sat on his stool, sketching on his desk, his pencil had seen better days.
Scrunching up another piece of paper into a ball, throwing into the corner building a massive pile adjacent to his desk.
The floor was surrounded by an array of prototypes of his inventions that didn't quite pass the final stage just sitting static collecting dust, serving as an ironic reminder of this own creative frustrations, in the inventor's world, the equivalent to writer's block.
"I'm not doing well here!" Think, Stu, think!" Stu said in the third person, smacking his face with his palm in frustration "We are coming up for the new millennium and I can't even come up with a new invention for Pickles Toys!"
Creaking footsteps could be heard as Didi made her way down the basement stairs, waving a letter that she just collected from the mailbox outside from the front porch.
She shouted, "Stu, I have a letter for you!"
Stu turned his head, took the letter and replied "Hey Deed, I was contemplating redesigning the Auto Sofa" pointing to the large sofa tarped in a giant sheet, that has not seen the light of day since 1991.
Didi smiled, attempting to subtly suggest he read the letter first with the hope that Stu put's his idea on the backburner, after all the Auto Sofa didn't pass the final stages of production for a very good reason.
Elbow leaning at on the desk, Stu's side of his face resting against the palm of his hand whilst holding letter on his other hand continued to express his dismay, "There's a massive cloud over my brain, I just can't think of anything, not a single thing!"
She gently placed her hand on his shoulder and softly said too Stu "Take a break Stu, you've been down here for hours"
Opening the letter, Stu couldn't help but feel curious to find out what the contents would entail, "I wonder what this letter could be, Deed?"
Didi with her arms folded, smiled and added, "Read it, Stu and you'll find out."
Stu opens the envelope to reveal the letter and begins to read it.
"Dear Stuart,
On behalf of the International Inventors Association, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been shortlisted for the Inventor of the year award, which will be presented at the Inventors Summit in Glasgow, Scotland in October of this year.
After a long and arduous process narrowing down from one hundred candidates to only a mere three, this is no doubt one of the many massive achievements in your inventing career so far.
If you accept this invitation, your stay will last seven days from Monday 4th October. All expenses, including flights and meals, will be covered by the committee, and you and your guests will be accommodated in a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city centre where many important guests have stayed!
For the first five days, there will be an opportunity to relax, unwind, and have some recreation, Glasgow has many beautiful tourist attractions that you will undoubtedly want to see for yourself!
On Saturday, where the Summit will take place at the Glasgow Civic Hall, you will be one of the guests of honour. The evening will begin with a reception where you will be given a refreshment, this will be followed by a three-course meal, which will conclude with the award presentation.
Best of luck and Sincere thanks,
Craig Ferguson, Chairman of the International Inventors Association."
His face beamed with pure joy, jumping up high with a swift clicking of the heals, waving the letter in the air. "I cannot believe it Deed! I cannot believe it! I, Stuart Pickles have been nominated for the Inventor of The Year Award!"
Didi shared his happiness, giving him a hug, echoing his joy "Aw, Stu that is fantastic news! I am so proud of you"
"I knew the blood, sweat, and tears would eventually pay off, this could be my breakthrough.!" Stu responded.
"This could raise my profile in the inventing world, think of the possibilities! I might even get offered some sponsorship deals from some big companies over there!" Stu added.
"Don't get too excited too quickly; you still have to compete with the other nominees for the award," Didi said.
Brought down to reality, Stu quickly glances to the floor and returns his gaze to Didi, saying, "I know Deed, but I'm so excited to be nominated for such a prestigious award, and we get an all-expenses paid overseas trip out of it too!"
"Let's get the boys down here and break the news," Didi remarked, tapping his elbow.
"Boys, come down!" "Your Dad has some exciting news to share with you both!" Tommy and Dil were yelled to come down by Stu.
Tommy and Dil dashed down the stairs from their bedrooms to find out what their father wanted to share with them.
"What's the news, Dad?" asked Tommy looking up to Stu.
"Let's hear your news Daddy" said Dil smiling.
"Um, I've just found out that I have been nominated for the Inventor of the year award at the Inventors Summit in Glasgow!" Stu stated waving his arms in the air.
"Awesome! Dad! A big award! Way to go!" Said Tommy clinching his fist, moving his arm to his side.
"Thanks', champ. That's means a lot for me to hear you say that" said Stu rubbing his head.
"Way to go, Daddy!" exclaimed Dil as he embraced Stu.
"Thank you very much, Champ, it's wonderful to receive such positive words from my two boys" Stu replied, embracing Dil with his arm.
"Cool! Do we get to go on, like a vacation?" Tommy inquired.
"Of course, it's all-inclusive, and we can bring as many people as we want, you can bring all your friends and their parents," Stu replied, smiling.
Didi swiftly reminds Stu that they will need to acquire permission from the principal because the dates do not fall inside the American school vacation period.
"Stu, we will need to ask Principal Willian's permission first for the kids to get time off," said Didi.
In a flash of insight, Stu says, "Oh, yeah, well don't worry boy's, I'll talk to your principle."
"Ding dong!"
Tommy grinned, gesturing his palms saying "Please do, Dad, a vacation beats boring old schoolwork"
Before Stu could reply, he heard the doorbell "That's the doorbell, I better get that".
Placing the letter back on the desk, Stu then swiftly walks up the stairs to get too the front door to answer it, curious to find who could be waiting for them as they are not expecting the arrival of Lou and Lulu until a little bit later that afternoon.
One hand on the side of Tommy and Dil's shoulders Didi says too her boys "Come on you two, let's go upstairs. Grandpa Lou and Grandma will be coming over for a visit"
"Alright! Grandpa Lou and Grandma are coming over for a visit! it could be them ringing the doorbell" said a jovial Tommy, rejoicing in their planned visit.
Stu opened the door; however, it wasn't their expected visitors, perplexed, it's non-other than his brother Drew, Charlotte and Angelica standing outside looking like they been waiting for several minutes when in fact it was less than a minute for him to reach the front door.
Walking through into the lounge, showing impertinence without even a simple considerate explanation for their unplanned visit, now, if it was his good friend Chas, it would be a whole different story but, in this case, their impromptu arrival was met with much less enthusiasm.
"Hey, Stu. Pops invited us over," said Drew in a dry tone of voice.
His body language would suggest he didn't really want to come over as much as Stu, his frown lines on his forehead as result of raising young Angelica now an older child, where showing but at least Drew wisely chose to maintain a clean-shaven look, only attribute to hide his rapidly aging face.
Holding the door, eyebrows dropped, irate. Stu mutters sarcastically "Please, do come in..."
"Hi, Uncle Stu," Angelica says as she swaggers through the door, eyes locked on her pre-teen magazine.
"Hey Angelica," Stu said as he still held the door open.
"I need those deals done by today, Jonathan!" Charlotte said this while clutching her cell phone and quickly touching Stu's shoulder.
"Great, the more the merrier I guess," Stu mumbled sarcastically as he shut the door.
Tommy and Dil could spot their relatives through the archway.
Tommy discreetly talking to Dil, muttering in a few words "Angelica alert bro, let's hide..."
Agreeing with such words, Dil replied "Why, does our cousin have to be here today..."
Didi glanced through the archway, surprised to see her in-laws unannounced visit "Drew, Angelica and Charlotte, what a pleasant surprise"
"Jonathan, do you want me to fire you again? That's what I thought" rambled Charlotte, as if her cell phone was glued to her ear.
Angelica still reading her pre-teen magazine, finishing the last page, she just blanked her aunt.
Drew was the only one to even look at her, removing his glasses, breathing onto the lenses as the condensation built up, he used the edge of his sleeve to quickly wipe and put his glasses back on and responded "Pop's invited us over, apparently he has big news he wanted to share"
"Well then we shall all look forward to it, I'll make some coffee", walking away, creating just enough distance so they can't overhear her.
Didi says to Stu. "I'm sure they won't be here for long, and this will give you the perfect opportunity to tell everyone your good news!"
"True, but I was hoping to have an afternoon of peace and silence down in the basement while the boys play video games in the lounge, now I'll never get any work done..." Stu explained.
"Just put on a polite face, and after Lou has told everyone his news and they have a refreshment, I'll make sure they don't overstay their welcome," Didi remarked.
"Oh, Pop's and Lulu can stay as long as they wish, I just want Drew, Angelica, and Charlotte out soon as" Stu joked, trying to discreetly giggle.
The doorbell rings once again, and Tommy hurries over to answer it, Their Grandparents had finally arrived.
Tommy and Dil said loudly in unison, "Grandpa and Grandma!" as they both gave Lou and Lulu a massive cuddle.
"You boys are getting taller and taller every time we see you, I can't keep up!" Lulu said with fondness, giving them both a kiss each on their foreheads.
"You got a letter in your hand, Grandpa?" Tommy inquired.
"That's right, you boys, take a seat, I've got big news to share too everyone!" stated Lou
"Hey Pop, hello Lulu, come on in, Drew, Charlotte, and Angelica are on the couch," Stu remarked.
"Stu, please make some coffee!" "I have a letter I'd like to read," Lou said, removing it from his front pocket.
"Sure thing, Pop, Didi is in the kitchen preparing refreshments," Stu replied.
"Boys, go say hello to your cousin Angelica while I get drinks ready for everyone," Stu said, placing one hand on Tommy and Dil's shoulders.
Tommy, irritated, states, "I don't want to hang with Angelica, and I thought she wasn't coming today."
"Yeah, Dad, but why are Uncle Drew, Aunt Charlotte and the wicked witch are here?" Dil was perplexed.
He understands his son's anguish, trying to refrain from his smirking, quickly switching back to a straight face "Boys, I don't like it any more than you do, but the sooner we get it over with, the sooner you can play your video games and I can tell Mr. Finster and Mr. Deville about my news," Stu adds.
"Alright, Dad, we'll pretend to enjoy having them here." Tommy laughed as he and Dil walked into the lounge.
Stu pulls out a couple of chairs from the kitchen as he gets the last one, Stu comments to Didi what the letter Lou is carrying all about, "I wonder what the letter could be about Deed, I guess I'm not the only one with news"
"I'm curious what the news could be, I hope he and Lulu haven't been duped into buying a timeshare," she says as she takes sugar and creamer from the kitchen cabinet.
"Don't worry, Drew has warned Pop's about them time share scams, even though he tried to convince me to buy one..." Stu said, leaning slightly on the chair with his hands.
Before taking the tray into the lounge, Didi says "You know, he was only trying to make a sale so he could get that commission at his work, no harm in asking..."
Stu said with his arm's folded "Who, Know's what kind of unreasonable T&Cs would have been unfolded, just as well I told him where to go..."
The family gathers around Lou as he lifts his glasses slightly, carefully removing the letter from the envelop, "What you are about to see here is history in the making, a new dawn for the Pickles dynasty, a window of opportunity never seen before."
"Please, Pop's, just get to the point," Stu implored, sipping coffee from his mug.
"You're going to put us all to sleep, Pop, before you even read the letter," Drew joked.
"Conflab it! I was attempting to make this moment more dramatic... you know, with some atmosphere!" Lou lowered his brows.
Lulu taps his palm tenderly and murmurs, "Alright, Louis. read your letter to everyone"
Tommy and Dil were lounging comfortably on the floor when Spike and Spiffy arrived, both sat nicely as the canine companions should.
Tommy replies to Lou, stroking Spike fur, "Me and Dil are excited to hear you read your letter Grandpa."
"Thank you, Sprout. At least someone is appreciating the build-up to a good story," Lou muttered, giving Drew and Stu a frigid look that indicated he was annoyed by their pushiness.
Lou takes a deep breath before beginning to read the letter.
"Dear Lou,
Thank you very much for writing to me, anyhow... I am still living in Glasgow, Grant do you mind... I am in the middle of writing this letter... look what you done! might as well keep this as I refuse to pay for another piece of paper... aye right am no paying Five Pence for another sheet!
In case you read this out to your family, I'll be more specific: Lou and I are cousins twice removed since our grandparents, Bernie and Maggie Pickles, were siblings. Me and my late wife Cora have a son named Ste he's works in the video games industry; his work is based in Dundee.
He is often away a lot. There's my daughter in-law Isla, she own's a chain of nurseries, based on the Lipschitz perfect parenting model stretching across the west of Scotland, I've read his book and I think it's a load of... I can't write in this letter... anyway there's my three grandchildren roughly the same age as yours, Callum, Grant and Bonnie. They sure keep me on ma toes!
Unfortunately, owing to issues and family disputes, contact was broken, and I was terribly saddened that there was no means to contact you, but I always hoped that one day you would find me again. I'm hoping we can deepen the Pickles American and Scottish links and put things right and I appreciate you providing me with contact details with the rest of the Pickles clan, I didn't realise there was that many across the pond!
I'd like to extend a cordial welcome to you and your family to come over to visit us in Glasgow.
P.S. Glasgow should be pronounced "glaaz-gow" rather than "Glass-Cow," so please try to use the proper pronunciation while interacting with the local Glaswegians. It will serve you well, trust me on this one!
Your letter has made this old Scotsman very happy, indeed.
Goodbye for now,
Signed
Angus Pickles"
Putting the letter back in its envelop and placing it safely in his inner coat pocket, Lou gets choked up, recomposing himself "I never thought I would live to see the day, I would establish contact with Angus ever gain..."
Lou took out a photograph from his inner coat pocket, proudly showing it to everyone, the photo features him, Angus and Sparky posing next to the Kelvindale Bridge, pointing to each person in the picture "This is me, Angus and my late brother Sparky, we are standing in front of the Kelvindale Bridge"
"How did you find you track down Angus?" asked Didi sipping her cup of coffee.
Everybody was stunned to hear this new family revelation, after all it's been known of the Pickle's having Scottish roots but now discovering they have traceable relatives living across the ocean, this created much excitement, anticipation and questions that rightfully needed to be answered.
Grandpa Lou POV
As a young'un every year in the summer me, my brother Sparky, Mom and Dad and my Scottish Grandmother Maggie would travel from Ohio to New York, boarding the steamboat to Glasgow. Back on those days, before you had planes that was the method of transportation if you ever wanted to travel abroad.
The journey was always long and of course Sparky would often get seasick, I remember one year the water was so choppy, he just couldn't have held it in, and he threw up on my good coat which cost me 15 cents! Back in the 20's it was a lot of money back then, the amount of paper rounds, selling door to door lemonade to save up that kind of cash! I was not fuming with Sparky I'll tell you what!
End of POV
"Grandpa, can you please flash forward about your childhood with Angus?" asked Tommy whilst he was rubbing Spiffy's ears.
"Conflab it" Tommy! I'm still trying to build a story here but very well...," said Lou
Back to Grandpa Lou's POV after getting interrupted by Tommy
Once we arrived at Glasgow we would stay with Angus and his parents who were my Uncle Jack and Aunt Bonnie and his grandfather, my grand Uncle Bernie, they stayed in this lovely red stoned apartment which they call a tenement, I think it was in Maryhill or Partick? I am not too sure.
We had so much fun during the summer playing hopscotch outside on the cobble stones curb, fishing in Loch Lomond and hopping on the tram to the city centre for what was many fantastic day trips. It wasn't anything fancy but oh boy those were amazing memories but one day, by the time we got to the early 30's, the trips stopped taking place I had no address, no number, no means to contact Angus...
However my old detective partner Toby who owns his own private detective agency, managed too track down Angus's home address and that's how I was able to send him that letter.
End of POV
Finishing off his cup of coffee, Lou concludes his story by saying "Until I got that letter from Angus"
Angelica was still reading her magazine, going through all the pages for the third time, knees tucked in, lounging on the couch, Lou unimpressed looks at her and says "Conflab it! Angelica! Did you even listen to one word I said?!"
Without a care in the world, Angelica glance's her eyes above the top of the pages, she looks towards her grandfather and mutters "Uh... Yes... talking about Albert?"
Tommy gently nudges his elbows to Dil and speaks to him discreetly by saying "Angelica doesn't even know we have Callum, Grant and Bonnie as our Scottish cousins..."
Legs folded in a basket, Dil responds "Yeah, T, she's too engrossed in her pre-teen magazine, I bet it's just full of useless articles..."
Angelica overhears him, snapping back at Dil "I'll have you know Dylan, this magazine, has very useful articles that tells what what's hip and trendy, but you don't even know the word hip!"
Didi stands up, trying to break the cousinly argument that's about to implode "Okay, that's enough you two, Stu has some good news of his own he would like to share"
"That's wonderful, Stu. Please tell us all about your good news" said Lulu smiling.
Stu stands up, before he can make any sort of announcement, Charlotte is back on her cell phone "Johnathan, I'll call you back in five minutes... actually, make that, two minutes,"
Charlotte, who had gone less than five minutes without touching her cell phone, smiled at Stu, indicating that she needed to go into another room to speak with her assistant.
"Oh, Charlotte, go into the kitchen and make your phone call," Stu suggested begrudgingly.
She quickly leaves into the kitchen; Stu is just itching to tell everybody the news of his own.
"Today I received a letter from the Chairman of the Inventors Summit saying I've been nominated for the Inventor of The Year Award, in Glasgow," Stu stated, standing confidently and proudly.
Didi smiling and beaming with pride however Drew laughs as he spits out his coffee, "You... you have just been nominated for an award?!"
Didi is irritated by the coffee splatter on the carpet.
"Yeah, what about it?" Stu inquired.
"I think that's fantastic news, well done," Lulu replied, smiling.
"Well done, Stu, I am so proud of you," Lou exclaimed.
"You're the guy who invented an electric sponge seven years ago, and you've been nominated for an award for your mediocre inventions!" It simply does not make sense!" Drew was chastised
Dil, pointing his finger in the air was quick to jump to his father's defence asserting "Well Uncle Drew, I think the electric sponge is a great idea!"
"Dil, not you too..." was the answer from the Drew.
"Before you run your big mouth bro... the chairman said in the letter I can bring as many guests as I want, all-inclusive hotel and expenses paid..." Stu stated
Drew's berating of his brother abruptly changes tone, "you know I was only joking with you Stu! I believe your creations are... one-of-a-kind... you just need to establish your niche, and you'll soon have the captive audience you deserve!" He slung his arm around Stu's shoulders.
"How about we kill two birds with one stone and go to the award ceremony and meet Angus and his family" Didi said.
"Is this really what I think it is?" enquired Tommy smiling.
"Let's put roots in the ground, and I think this will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about your Scottish heritage," Lou stated enthusiastically.
"Yes, we are going to find the Lochness monster!" shouted Dil as he stood up and lifted his arms in the air.
"If we have time, then maybe" Didi murmured, stroking Dil's hair.
"Bro, you know the Lochness monster is a myth," Tommy pointed out.
Lou couldn't help but add to him, "Don't be too sure, Tommy, there's been many sightings reported over the years."
Determined to find the Lochness monster, Dil declared, "I will find Nessy before we leave Scotland!"
Everybody part from Angelica and Charlotte seemed to care less, were delighted with the prospect of their upcoming vacation across the Atlantic.
"The Pickles family are going to Scotland!" exclaimed Stu, excitedly.
End of Chapter 1