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My eyes were wide. “When did all this come about?”
“Last month.” Harley shrugged. “He phoned me since he knew I was interested. I made an offer, he accepted, and I put things in motion. I didn’t wanna tell anyone in case it fell through, but I got the phone call about an hour ago from me solicitor. I’m officially the property owner.”
I hugged him again, and he laughed.
“I’m chuffed for ye, bud.” I stepped back. “I know ye’ve always wanted a pub of your own.”
To some, having a dream to own a pub wasn’t exactly reaching for the stars, but I knew Harley’s reasons. For us, and many other Irish people, when parents went to the pub on a weekend, children were usually brought along. When there was a party or event of any kind, the destination was the pub. Kids got to have a table or booth to themselves. They had drinks and sweets, colouring books, and for hours, they played, ran around, and had the time of their lives.
The smell of Guinness had always filled me with nostalgia of my happy childhood. Harley loved those times and he wanted to recreate that for other people in a pub of his own.
“I’m still in disbelief that I own somethin’.” Harley shook his head. “It’s a kip right now, but it’s all mine.”
“Was it expensive?”
“Two-hundred and twenty thousand for everythin’, includin’ closin’ fees and solicitor’s fees and whatnot. It was a steal because I was payin’ for the lot, not the buildin’. The location alone drives the lot for double the amount I paid, but Mr Fox accepted my offer because he wanted to get gone with cash in hand,” Harley said. “Kane’s loaned me five-hundred thousand for this venture, so what’s left will need to go into the rebuild, redecoratin’, stockin’ me inventory, license fees, and so on. The whole buildin’ needs to be demolished and rebuilt, the whole ten yards, but I plan on doin’ as much of the labour as I can to save on costs.”
“We’ll do as much of the labour as we can to save on costs.”
Harley smiled. “Thanks, man.”
“Are ye gonna expand the buildin’?” I quizzed. “I remember it being a little cramped.”
“I am.” He nodded. “The lot I own is big. I want two huge rooms, one for the lounge and the other for the bar, each with access to their own toilets. As well as a pool room with a few tables and a couple of slot machines. I’m having a fully functionin’ kitchen built so food can be served. I’m expandin’ up into a second story for a function room for private parties, too. The number of birthday parties, funeral receptions, and communion and confirmation parties the nearby pubs get without a spacious function room is crazy. I want to capitalise on that by addin’ what they don’t have.”
I smiled. With every word my brother spoke, he was getting more and more excited.
“Kane put me in touch with the architect for his apartment complexes,” he continued. “I meet with him next week to tell him everythin’ I want, and he’ll draw up the plans for me so I can get plannin’ permission from the council. If all goes well, things could be underway in just a few months.”
“Are ye gonna hire someone to tear everythin’ down?”
He shook his head. “I’m just gonna hire the machines and do it meself. I’ll save thousands.”
“Let me know when that plan is in motion, and we’ll all help.”
Harley nodded. “I will.”
“Does Da know ye’ll be leavin’ the garage?”
“Not yet, but he knew it was comin’ since I’ve been in the market for a space so that I could build and open a pub of me own.”
“He’ll be delighted for ye. He’s lookin’ to hire new people anyway.”
We both turned when my missus walked into the staff room. She smiled at Harley and barely glanced my way. I knew she’d blush if she did. The woman was a freak between the sheets with the mouth of a sinner but was as meek as a kitten outside the bedroom. It amused me to no end.
“What has you all happy, Harls?”
Harley filled her in on his good news, and Ina was so happy for him that she clapped her hands together before she launched herself towards him, hugging him tightly. I folded my arms across my chest and smiled. I always enjoyed observing her interactions with my brothers … until one of them overstepped themselves. The second Harley placed his hand on Ina’s lower back, I crossed the space between them and removed him from her entirely. This made him laugh and her shoo me away.
“This is so excitin’ but wait”—she suddenly frowned—“does this mean ye won’t work here anymore?”
Harley smiled. “Will ye miss me?”
“Of course.” Her frown deepened. “I love workin’ with you. You’re me brother.”
