InsaneJournal

Who: Catherine Pinkerton and Caroline Forbes
What: Catching up and seeing the shop
When: Recently
Where: The future site of Pink’s Treats
Rating/Warnings: None
Status: Complete when posted



Catherine was practically bouncing with excitement to actually get to show the space she’d found for Pink’s Treats. She still had some renovating to do before setting a date for the grand opening but it was coming together and she had her sketches with her to show her friend what she was thinking about for the rest of it. While the cakes and other sweets wouldn’t all be pink or pink frosted even she was definitely leaning towards using pink in the decor. Maybe the tiles on the floor. With some black tables and chairs for people to wait to pick up their order or to sit and share a piece of cake with some one. She opened up her sketchbook, jotting a note down in the corner of one of the pages of the idea before she lost it. She leaned against the wall as she scribbled, dark curls falling into her face and obscuring her vision as she found herself focusing on the vision that was coming together for the other side of the counter.

***

Caroline was excited to see the location of Cath’s bakery. She had been talking about starting one up for almost as long as Caroline had known her. As she should. Her cakes not only tasted amazing but the decorations were beyond incredible. Caroline arrived at the shop and spotted Cath outside. She wasn’t sure how much construction was still being done on the place but still she couldn’t wait to see whatever progress there was.

“Hey!” Caroline said beaming as she made her way over to her friend, wrapping her arms around her in a hug.

***

Cath was grateful for that verbal greeting and the warning it gave her to move her pencil away from the page before Caroline hugged her and she returned it happily. “Oh my God. I cannot tell you how much I have missed Care hugs these past few weeks.” She stepped back to look at her, hoping she hadn’t worn anything that she’d be upset about getting ruined by dust. “Ready to go see the place before I show you my sketches? And be absolutely covered in dust from the kitchen?”

***

“Feeling is mutual,” Caroline assured. It had been way too long since she had hugged her friend. Even if it had only been a few weeks. Caroline was in skinny jeans and a casual t-shirt. Totally fine to get dust on. “So ready!” she exclaimed a bit too excitedly. But she couldn’t help it. It was an exciting situation. “I’ve only been waiting years for this,” she teased nudging Cath’s shoulder with her own. “Now come on, show me around!”

***

Cath just laughed at that teasing comment and led her into the building, making sure to call out to the construction workers that it was her before putting her book on the counter. “Now this area isn’t done yet but I’m keeping this front counter. Refinishing it to go with my colors once painting and all has happened. Replacing the floor with tile instead of linoleum because you know me - I hate linoleum underfoot and it’ll start to peel over time and I’d rather pay more money for it to be sturdier than have to be replacing it sooner.” And between her savings and her business loan she could afford the cost for what she wanted. She’d done the math. As long as she was frugal in other areas. “But back here is the real reason I wanted this space.”

She led the way through the swinging door to a large kitchen with a team of construction workers renovating the wiring and plumbing and redoing the walls where they’d already finished. “This layout was already perfect for me with the counter space for mixing and decorating. And the natural light coming in while I’m working. And there’s an office off the back. And...it came with two fridges already that are top of the line and I don’t have to replace them. They were included in the contract because the previous occupant just left them and I had them checked out by an expert and the only thing I can figure for why they were left behind is they didn’t have a way to transport them when they left.”

***

Caroline walked through the space with Cath trying to take in every detail as well as how Cath was explaining she wanted things. Caroline could see the vision as Cath explained it and she couldn’t wait to see it actually come to life. “Smart choice,” Caroline agreed about the tile verse linoleum. And also if Cath was finally going to open her shop it should be exactly how she wanted it.

But then Caroline was being led into the back. She didn’t know much about baking or what kind of space was ideal but Cath seemed super happy with it which is what mattered. Plus those fridges sounded like a hall of a deal. “This placed is going to be so amazing!” Caroline practically squealed. Yes there was still some work to be done and with all the construction going on at the moment it did look like a bit of a mess. But Caroline knew the final product was going to be amazing and she couldn’t wait to see it. “When are you thinking you’ll be ready to open?”

***

The only thing stopping Cath from jumping out and down in excitement to her friend’s reaction was the knowledge of those tools all around them. But it was hard to resist. “I’m shooting for June or July. Plenty of time to get the place finished and get word of mouth started. And find someone completely fabulous to plan a grand opening event for me. If only I knew a brilliant event planner that lived out here…” she trailed off teasing.

***

“Summer is perfect! Just in time for wedding season.” Not that Cath had to have a shop to make cakes for weddings but it sure as hell made things easier. Caroline couldn’t help but laugh at Cath’s not so vague statement. “You know,” she said her voice light and teasing right back. “I might know a few if you want a recommendation.”

***

“I’m already opening up my website to take orders! It’s taking some doing in the apartment but I’ve managed to get a couple orders out. I’m looking forward to getting to work in here though…” There was a definite wistful note in Cath’s voice as she looked around the kitchen. “I was kind of hoping you’d be able to put me back in touch with one that I did a few jobs with in New York. I’d heard that she moved out here. Ringing any bells?”

***

Caroline heard the wistfulness in Cath’s voice. She couldn’t blame her. Finally having her own shop was super exciting and a long time coming. If Caroline was this excited about it she couldn’t imagine how it felt for Cath. “Oh! Judy Brown? Yeah I heard she moved here too. Haven’t gotten any calls from her about parties yet but you know I’ll let you know as soon as I do! And I’ll definitely be calling you for like any event that involves cake.”

***

Cath laughed and shook her head at her friend. “Please. As if I’d hire a second rate like Judy for anything when the best is around.” She teased. She didn’t dislike Judy at all. But her loyalty definitely went to her friend there. “You better. I was thinking that I’d ask Izzy to do the food to go with my sweets. The three of us working together will make it the best event ever.” She said, reaching out to give Care another hug.

***

“Definitely!” Caroline agreed returning the hug. She needed all the contacts she could get if she wanted to have a successful business. She knew with Cath at her side she’d be unstoppable. At least when it came to desserts.