Nonetheless Bronx felt energized, not tired, at the thought of everything he still had to do. He was really excited by the challenge to establish a completely new branch office and turn it into a success. Having Nevis and York by his side was also a major asset. They were two smart people who both would be able to give him excellent advice and support. Neither of them was used to being in a branch office, but they both understood the issues involved and had a good grasp of what customers needed. The helicopter dropping them off had turned into a key attraction for the locals. He needed to pass that news along to other people who might be able to make use of the machine to increase interest in the company in their own towns.
It was only a little after six but they’d been to bed very early and he was wide awake, so he took the key to the minivan and drove into the heart of the town, trying to engrave the streets on his mind as he went. He went slowly along Main Street, stopping outside the bakery, which was open. He went inside and bought a bag of hot cheese and bacon croissants. That would make a perfect breakfast for them all. He continued through the town until he was sure he had the layout fixed in his mind and then returned to the hotel. He knocked on York’s door and handed him two of the croissants and then quietly opened the door to his own room.
His room was empty. He knocked on Nevis’s door and she opened it, brushing her short, curly, salt-blonde hair. It always seemed like a perfectly neat cap around her head. He was certain he’d never seen her brushing it before. He handed her two of the croissants and said, “Can you be ready to leave in fifteen minutes?”
“I’m ready now. I just have to put my shoes on.”
“Okay. I’ll tell York, and see you in the parking lot in five minutes then.”
Bronx went next door to York’s room only to have him open it with a laptop bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m ready.”
Jen’s Cleaning crew arrived promptly at eight and Bronx was already deep in discussion with a builder about the extensions they’d all talked about adding to the double-wide trailer, including a deck out front, a door to the living room, and opening up the closet to be part of the office. York had located a sign writer who was going to paint the company logo onto their minivan and green Dodge, as well as put up signage on the warehouse, the trailer, and the new fence when it was built.
York had also unpacked his coffee pot and a dozen mugs, plus a jar of coffee, so at least they all had something to drink, even if was instant, not brewed. As they all sipped their drinks, Nevis said, “Trenton is going to drop Chandler in Flinders at ten. He said to tell you it’ll likely take most of the rest of the day to look over the truck and test drive it with you so it’d be best to stay the night there before going on to pick up our things. I checked Google Maps and we can sort of do a triangle, going to collect my furniture first, then yours, then back here. That also means Trenton will just pick Chandler up the next day in Flinders at the same place as where he dropped him off. Unless you want Chandler to come with us?”
Bronx didn’t want Chandler on the road trip with his mates. He wanted to use the journey as an opportunity to bond with them both. But he needed to think about driving the truck. He’d driven B-Trains plenty of times, although never on really long hauls. Still, this trip shouldn’t be difficult. It was only a couple of days, after all. “No, we should be fine without him as long as he approves the truck as not needing any maintenance. If it needs work done, we’ll stay there while he does it. That’ll be easier than coming back here and going there again. It’s a half day’s drive. We’re going to have to be up mighty early tomorrow to be there at ten.”
“I’m sure if we don’t get there until eleven or even noon it won’t matter,” said York.
“No. We’ll leave here at six. There won’t be any traffic that early and we’ll make good time,” replied Bronx before he realized York was teasing him.
Bronx glared at York but inside he was filled with happiness. That was what mates did. They teased each other and laughed. It’d been a long time since he’d really had fun. Establishing a new branch office was damn hard work, but there was also a lot of potential for them to have fun together. Plus, he had the road trip to look forward to as well.
* * * *
York had never really appreciated how high off the ground these big rigs were. He could see everything for miles, and the cars on the road were way down level with the grill of the B-Train. It meant driving them was actually safer than driving a car, simply because the driver could see what was happening half a mile down the road, instead of looking at the trunk of the car in front of them.