by David Hockey
Chapter 31 The Opening
Thursday morning Bob told Lori that they wouldn’t move the office until a new bench was built in the new shop, “then everybody will work there. We’ll keep this shop for research and development.”
“Research on what Bob?”
“New toys of course.”
“Oh good, I’m always asked about that.”
“I have a few ideas about what we could make but Ken want’s us to wait until everyone’s fully trained. After that he can spend time developing a different production line.”
“Okay. A lot more cheques arrived in the mail this morning Bob. Another £16,725. Total for June is now £32,643.75.”
“Do you think that’s the lot?”
“No. but it’s over half. Do you want me to find out how many haven’t sent a cheque yet?”
“No.”
“I told Craig last night that we should have a clock that would ring a bell when it was tea or lunch time and he said he knew where one was being sold. The shirt factory in Big End, the one that closed two months ago, is selling all their equipment. A couple of weeks ago he went to see what they had to sell and there was a clock and bell system. An old one but, presumably, it works. They’re asking £25 for it. Do you think we should buy it?”
“Yes we should. I’m sure that’s a good price.”
“And on my way home last night I went to my computer shop. The one I think we should have would cost £949.50. Can we buy it?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll have to order it then. They said we could have it about two days after being ordered.”
“Okay. Let us know when you want one of us to collect it.”
“All right.”
The day was spent making more trains and loading the finished ones into one of the smaller vans. Bob drove it to the new shop after everyone had finished work. Ken was standing by one of the sanders, fastening new mops onto its head. Bob told him the June income, that Craig knew where there was a time bell system and that Lori had ordered a new computer.
“What new computer?”
“Lori says her old one isn’t good enough to handle the new spreadsheets she’s using now. It takes a long time to calculate the results she said.”
“Oh I see. Then we should have a better one.”
“I’d like to have the old one. Would you mind?”
“No of course not. What do you want to do with it?”
“Learn how to use it. I think it would be fun, that’s what my grandchildren tell me. I’d have more to talk to them about if I knew how to use one.”
“They probably play games all the time though. Are you going to do that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I should, it’ll help me catch up with what’s going on in the world today.”
“I suppose I should too, someday. I like the idea of using a time clock. I’ll go there now and see if they still have it. Do you know where the factory is?”
“Yes. I’ll come with you.”
The factory was still open when they arrived and the clock system was still on a shelf in one of the corners. They asked the man looking after the place if it worked. “You just plug it in, set the clock then the times you want the bell to ring, that’s all. Here, I’ll show you.” He plugged it in, moved the hands, rotated some knobs on the bottom of the clock then waited. A minute later a bell rang.
“That’s loud enough,” shouted Ken. “Switch it off!”
As soon as it was turned off Ken asked the man if they could make the bell quieter.
“Yes, with this lever. Do you want me to show you how?”
“No, all I want to be able to adjust it later. How many settings does it have?”
“Ten.”
“We’ll buy it. Do you mind if we look around to see what else you have for sale.”
“Go ahead, but I close in fifteen minutes.”
Industrial sewing machines didn’t interest them but office supplies did and they bought a box of computer paper, two notice boards, staplers and three boxes of pens, paid the man and drove back to Small End.
“That was well worth the visit. We should keep an eye open for factory or office sales, not that I can think of anything more we want right now.”
“When will we have the new bench Ken?”
“I called Jack last night and he said he couldn’t help us next week, he’s working for one of the construction companies and so is John. He said he could do it on the weekend, not this one but the next. I said I’ll call him if I can’t build it myself in the evenings. Mary was mad at me when I told her about that last night!”
“I’ll help. It won’t take the two of us long. Have you ordered the wood?”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“What did Mary say about having the engagement party at your place?”
“Oh, she liked that. I’ll tell everybody about it tomorrow. During lunch today I made a list of the things we’ll have to buy to equip another bench. Here it is,” and he pulled it out of his inner pocket. “Can you give it to Lori tomorrow and ask her to order them.”
“Sure.” Bob took the list and looked at it.
“You haven’t listed the routers, sanders, and band saw. Don’t you want them?”
“I thought I’d use the ones from the old shop.”
“But what about using that place for research and development?”
“We don’t want jigs to do that, we want the kind of things you had in your home shop. What’s in the milking parlour now is for making trains, right?”
“Yes. You think that what’s there now will be good enough?”
“Sure.”
“Okay. About the announcement tomorrow, you should tell them about the holiday.”
“And about the bell timer system too. I’ll put it up tomorrow. It’s so easy to do I won’t need Pat. Well, here we are, Bob. Back at your place.”
“Thanks Ken. See you tomorrow. I’ll bring everyone over about three thirty to hear the news. Oh, did Ed come today?”
“No he didn’t. Was there a call from him?”
“Not that I heard. I’ll ask Lori tomorrow. ‘Bye Ken.”
“‘Bye Bob.”
Lori was just hanging up the phone when Bob arrived Friday morning.
“That was Ed,” she said. “He’s quit. He’s found another job, in construction. He’s going to be a carpenter. Do I pay him for the days he worked?”
“It was two days. Yes. £50. I don’t want him complaining about us although he didn’t work, he was simply learning. But don’t pay him for the rest of the week; I don’t think he was sick. If he was he’ll have to prove it.”
“Okay. I’ll send him a cheque.”
“We’re going to set up another bench in the Centre, Lori, and everybody will move there as soon as it’s equipped. Here’s a list of things Ken needs. Could you order them please and tell everybody we need them next week. If they can’t deliver them that quickly ask them what’s the earliest they can deliver. If it’s by the following Monday or Tuesday then order them but if it’s later let me know. We might have to look for another supplier.”
“Can I tell them that if they say they’ll be late?”
“Sure. It might speed them up.”
They continued making train sets but, during their tea break, Jose said he wished that he could switch to making a different toy, “just for a change.”
“You’ll be able to do that soon,” said Bob. “It might even be next week. Ken will talk about rotations tonight. There is a meeting at three-thirty in the new shop.”
After the tea break had finished Lori told Bob that another £18,500 had arrived in the day’s mail. “The June income is now £50,643.75 but I think that’s about it.”
“Wow! It’ll easily pay for the new equipment and the salaries. And I’ll probably be able to pay off some of my mortgage. It’s very good news. I’ll take the cheques before leaving tonight and deposit them tomorrow.”
“Is the news tonight good or b
ad Bob?”
“Good news.”
Everyone was seated when they arrived at three thirty and five chairs had been saved for them in the front row. Ken made the announcements.
“Those of you who work here know that we now have a bell system because you heard the rings when I was adjusting it.” He looked at the first row and said “I’ve installed a warning bell. It’ll ring when it’s time to work and when it’s time to stop. I put it in because Craig and I just don’t want to keep shouting that kind of thing.
“Now about the engagement celebration party. We’re giving it next Friday afternoon. So we’ll stop at noon and drive to my place, have lunch and a toast to Lori and Craig. You can stay as long as you like. Bob or I will drive you back to Big End as soon as there’s three or four of you wanting to leave.”
“It’s warm enough to swim in the river,” added Craig. “I’ve been doing that for a month. But fishing isn’t very good, at least where we fish near the bridge. It might be better round the corner, at Ken’s place.”
“I’ll bring my swim suit,” Diane said. “Anyone else for swimming.”
“I will,” said Craig.
“Then I better try,” said Lori.
“Do you have any floats or balls Ken?”
“A football and some old tennis balls. That’s all I think.”
“Then I’ll bring a plastic ball. We can have a game if there are enough of us in the water,” said Craig.
“Will there be anything to drink,” asked Diane.
“Yes, but I think I’ll ration it to two bottles each. What do you think Bob?”
“Oh, make it three, Ken. Just be sensible if you’re driving.”
“This is a great place to work, isn’t it!” said Diane.
“You’ll be getting engaged next Diane, just to have a party,” shouted Alan.
“No way, not even for a party,” she replied.
“Okay. Okay.” Ken said. “Next. About changing shops. There’s a list on the notice board. If you haven’t already read it look at it before you go. Three people from this shop are to go to the old shop on Monday to replace three from there who will come here. In the old shop you’ll learn how to make train sets for two or three days. Craig or I will arrange the next change when the last two from here will go there for training. Any questions? You’ll know where you’ll be once you look at the list so don’t ask me about that.”
“What’s happened to Ed? He can’t be coming back if you said the last two will go there.”
“No. Ed’s quit. He’s going to work in construction.”
“Then is there room for my brothers?” asked Jean.
“Yes. There is now. At least for one.”
“How will you decide which one?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Do you have any recommendations.”
“I can’t choose between my brothers!”
“No of course not. Well, ask both of them to come here Monday and we’ll see who does the best work.”
“All right.”
“Lastly. We’ll be closing the shop for a holiday from September 2nd to September 6th. That’s what the red line means on the calendar on the notice board.”
“Do we get paid for the holidays?”
Ken looked at Bob and said, “Yes, you do, but we haven’t decided if everyone should have the same pay because some have been working for longer than others. We’ll let you know what we’ve decided nearer to the time. All right?”
“Sure. I’m so happy to be working in a place like this I’m not going to worry about how much or how little I get for holidays. At least, not this year,” said Frank.
“Same for me,” echoed Ray and Diane.
“Well, that’s all I have to say. Have a good weekend everybody. See you on Monday.”
Everyone got up and crowded around the list on the notice board. One or two copied the holiday dates into their diary and Alan did the same using an electronic PDA. Ken watched him doing this but didn’t say anything.
After they had all left he told Bob that maybe Alan was another computer expert. “He might help or replace Lori if she decided to quit.”
“Quit? I don’t think she’d want to do that Ken.”
“But if she became pregnant and had a baby she might take a few months off.”
“Oh it’s much too early to think about that.”
“Well one has to plan for emergencies when there’s a company to run. Could you do what Lori is doing Bob?”
“Perhaps, but I wouldn’t want to. Keeping track of what toys each retailer has, what each one of them has sold and so on is not what I’d like to do.”
“Exactly, nor me.”
“More cheques arrived today Ken. We’ve now got over £50,000. That’s about all for this month Lori say’s. I have the cheques in my pocket and I’ll deposit them tomorrow. You know there’s enough for us to take something out now even with paying for the new equipment. I’d like to do that and pay off my mortgage. I hate paying ten and a half percent.”
“All right. How much would we take?”
“How about £35,000? That would leave plenty and my share would pay off my mortgage.”
“All right. Lets go over to the office and write the cheques now.”
As they were leaving the building Ken collected the overalls and gave half to Bob. “Mary will do the ones I’ve got,” he said. As they carried them to Ken’s car Bob said they should buy a washing machine and do the washing at the workshop. “It’s not fair, asking Mary to do it.”
“I agree, but not now, there’s too much else to think about than organising how the washing’s going to be done.”
At the office Bob signed Ken’s cheque and Ken signed Bob’s, mostly for the fun of it.
“I’ll tell Lori what we’ve done when I see her on Monday,” said Bob.
“All right. Do you want me to drive you home?”
“Yes please. These overalls are heavy.”
On the short drive to his house he asked Ken if he would be going to the opening ceremonies.
“Yes we’ll both be there. It’s at two, isn’t it?”
“Yes I think so. Thanks for the ride Ken. See you tomorrow.”
“‘Bye Bob.”
There was a letter from Maria on the door mat. She told him she’d been busy and wanted to know what he’d been doing. It was signed, ‘with love from.’
After a salmon steak, grilled in the oven with some Italian dressing and a beer Bob decided to go to bed. It was only eight o’clock but he felt tired. It had been a hard week.
The sunlight, shining through the window, awakened him at six thirty next morning. He wasted no time lying in bed; his garden needed hoeing. The camera shot of him hoeing was a prod, it reminded him that he’d been neglecting it. He put half the overalls in the washing machine, ate some toast and jam then hoed, gathered what ripe vegetables there were, made sure the bean runners were climbing the stakes and cut the grass. He had done all of that and washed the rest of the overalls by ten when he stopped for coffee.
As he was opening the kitchen door he glanced at the Centre and saw two men who, he thought, lived in the village, carrying chairs out of the door and placing them in rows. He guessed that the chairs were for the opening ceremonies and, feeling guilty that he hadn’t been much of a volunteer, he walked over and asked if he could help.
“Sure. There’s another two or three hundred chairs to bring out. Thanks.”
So instead of coffee Bob carried chairs, probably a hundred of them. One of the men asked him if he could help them put them away at the end and asked his name. He told them and the man replied “Oh you’re the guy that makes wooden toys.”
“Yes, but there’s several of us making them now.”
“Craig Elton works there, doesn’t he? I know his father.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Did you know that Craig has just become engaged?”
“Yes I did. We’re having an engagement party for him and Lori next
Friday.”
“I haven’t met Lori but Pete say’s she’s a nice girl.”
“Who’s Pete?”
“Craig’s father. My name is Ronald Teller. This is Sam Bonny.”
“Hello.”
They shook hands then the men bid goodbye, saying they would see him when the chairs had to be put away. Bob walked back to his house trying to remember where he had met Ron Teller before. ‘It’ll come, once I stop thinking about it,’ he told himself. He remembered just as he was washing his coffee mug. ‘He’s one of Regina’s teachers. Maths or science I think. I’ll ask him about that when I see him later.’
Bob checked the time; it was nearly eleven. He’d have a quick bath then drive to Big End. He’d have to hurry or he wouldn’t be back in time for the opening ceremony.
He deposited the cheques from the retailers first in National Westminster then walked to Lloyds and deposited the cheque Ken had written, his first withdrawal from the company. He asked the teller how long it would take to clear and was told five business days. ‘Right, then I’ll book an appointment with Mrs. Pringle for the following week,’ he told himself.
He bought some kippers at the grocery store, they were now a frequent Sunday treat, and some hot sauce to go with the Thai stir-fries he occasionally made. He didn’t cook often these days, he was mostly too tired to do more than heat a pot pie or warm a prepared dinner but things should become easier soon for he planned to just supervise the crew or simply research toys in the near future. The wholesaler could look after all of the deliveries. Gerry and Bert could do any they didn’t handle and also do the work he used to do on the line and Ken could look after the shop. Making toys was what he liked doing most of all, not working on a production line and he’d done enough delivering to last a lifetime.
He had a roll for lunch, relishing the flavours and textures of the crusty bread, old cheese and vinegary sharpness of the pickled beetroot he had made three weeks ago. He decided to pickle some more; the beetroot would taste even better in the winter after the vinegar had fully soaked into the slices.
He joined the crowds milling around the Centre’s parking lot at one thirty. There were four or five hundred people already there, families with children of all ages. He recognised a few but wondered where everyone else came from. Tim and Peter from the garage were there next to Jim Smith, his wife and Jack. Joe was standing at the back of the chairs and he joined him.
“Hello Joe. Look at everybody! Didn’t know there were so many people in the village.”
“I guess most of them are from the new houses or from Big End. Or maybe there are people interested in moving here.”
“Yes I suppose so. How’s the farm?”
“Busy, taking off crops and transplanting fall brassica. We missed you last weekend. How was it in Boston?”
“Sally was rather tired most of the time so we didn’t go out for a meal or a drive. She’s on oxygen all the time. I ate dinner and lunch on Sunday with her in the residence. The food was very nice. She enjoys being there and has three or four friends now.”
“There’s no cure for emphysema is there?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m glad I didn’t smoke. That’s what usually causes it.”
“It did in her case, she thinks. Where’s Jane?”
“Checking the activities and reminding key people of the schedule they’re following. We’ll probably not see her until it’s all over.”
“Oh there’s Ken and Mary,” Bob said. “I’d like to join them. Come with me.”
“Hello Ken, Mary. You know Joe don’t you?”
“Of course. Hello Joe.”
“Hello Mary, Ken. We’ll have to stand I’m afraid. It’s too late to find any seats. It won’t be too bad, Jane said the speeches wouldn’t last long.”
There was no time for more talking because the Big End High School band began playing. After two short pieces the conductor put his baton down and everyone clapped and two or three cheered. Bob watched the camera crew at the side as it swung from the band to the front seats when the chairman of the village committee and the local member of parliament stood and walked towards the ribbon stretched across the Centre’s front door. The chairman introduced the MP who told a joke or two, said that the new Community Centre was wonderful and cut the ribbon. More cheers, two songs from the elementary school choir, an invitation for everyone to enjoy the cake and drinks that were on the tables behind the band and an invitation to the dance that would be held in the hall that evening. It ended with the chairman saying “Come inside and see our new Small End Community Centre.”
Joe told them he wouldn’t stay any longer. “I was in earlier this week and I’ve things to do at the farm.” Bob, Ken and Mary talked for a while until most of the crowd had left the centre to line up for refreshments then they walked to the Centre’s door.
They read the two pages pinned to the notice board. One invited everyone to the Opening Dance and the other sought volunteers to give courses, coach sports, help in the office or cafeteria, or to join the committees and groups that were being formed.
“I think I’ll volunteer, once the work settles down,” Bob told Mary.
“I might too,” she replied. “What would you do?”
“I wouldn’t mind teaching bird carving. How about you?”
“Cooking, if they don’t already have anyone doing that. Or help in the office for one or two afternoons a week. What about you Ken. Do you want to do anything?”
“No, I don’t think so. Maybe next year when the factory is looking after itself.”
“Factory?” asked Bob. “I hadn’t thought to call it that.”
“Well it is a factory or will be, once we have everything working properly.”
“I suppose so. Do you like the idea of being a factory manager again?”
“No, I prefer starting them now, not managing them. I’ve done enough of that, it’s time for a change.”
“Well I don’t want you to start another one Ken,” said Mary. “It takes you away from home too much.”
They walked along the halls and looked into the office, kitchen, cafeteria and about twenty empty rooms. “No wonder there’s a request for volunteers; there’s so much space. They could have a dozen courses running at the same time,” said Mary.
“And a play being rehearsed in the hall as well.”
“Yes, that too. I wonder if I could act?” she asked.
“If you took up acting you’d be the one that would be away from home most of the time,” said Ken.
The crowds were thinning as they walked out of the Centre and a woman carrying a clip board approached them.
“I’m told you men run the Small End Wooden Toys company. I’m Tammy Vermoor. I’m covering this event for The Week’s News. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”
“No, fire away,” said Ken.
“I’m going to get a drink before it’s all gone,” said Mary.”
Bob looked at Ken. “How about you answering the questions because I’d like one too.”
“No problem.”
Fifteen minutes later Ronald and Sam started carrying the chairs back into the Centre and several other men and boys joined them. Bob told Mary that he had promised to help so Mary returned to Ken who was just saying goodbye to the reporter. There were so many helpers that Bob only had two loads to carry. Once all the chairs had been moved he looked in all the classrooms for Ronald but couldn’t find him. There were just a small group carrying the remains of the cake and drink into the kitchen and three people folding the tables and carrying them indoors as he left. It was not quite four o’clock, the sky was darkening and it looked like it would rain. Bob went home, sat in his arm chair and put his feet up. Time for a rest.
When he awoke at six thirty it was raining heavily. He washed, put on his mackintosh and took his umbrella from the hall stand, hurrying because he was late.
The Crown was busy. Joe, Jane, Jack and Rose were sitting on sto
ols at the bar. They had reserved one for him and were about to let it go when he entered.
“Here Bob,” shouted Joe. “What happened to you?”
“I fell asleep.”
“All that hard work putting the chairs away I suppose!”
“I didn’t do much of that. More likely tired because of the week’s activities. I’m on my feet much more now. Has everybody ordered?”
“No we were waiting for you.”
They chose their food, Bob bought his bitter and the conversation returned to discussing the ceremony.
“I was surprised that the MP’s speech was so short,” said Rose.
“I told him he had only one minute,” replied Jane.
“I bet he didn’t like that,” said Joe. “How did you get him to cut down his speech?”
“I said if he went longer the band was to start playing the national anthem. And it worked!”
“Had they been told to do that?”
“Of course not. But he’s not as bad as some people think. I voted for him and I told him that when I asked him if he would open the Centre. It probably made him more receptive to my request to keep his talk short.”
“It was a well-organised event Jane,” said Rose.
“It’s not actually finished yet. There’s the dance tonight but it’s mostly for young people. We’re not going, the music won’t be the kind we like. We’ll have dances for older people soon.”
“Oh, how often?” asked Rose. “Jack and I liked to dance when we were younger and we’d probably go.”
“Once a month. And it’s once a month for the young-people’s dance as well. We might change the frequency later, once we know what people want.”
Bob didn’t say anything about the dances but didn’t like what he was hearing. Adult dances would probably be all right and he might even go to one of them to see what they were like. But dances for teenagers were likely to be very noisy and the Centre was so close to his house. Many of the kids would drink and that could make it worse though there must be adult supervisors, maybe he was worrying unnecessarily.
They enjoyed their food but sitting on bar stools wasn’t the best place to eat and shouting wasn’t pleasant so they left as soon as they’d eaten. Shortly afterwards half the pub left as well, running up the hill through the rain to go to the dance.
Car engines woke Bob at eleven. People were shouting goodbyes, several were laughing loudly and two were screaming insults at each other. The noise didn’t last long probably due to the rain. ‘I’ll shut my window next time there’s a dance,’ he told himself, before falling back to sleep.