The Blackcurrant Bush

Hello everyone!

This fortnight's challenge prompt in the Sylvanian Families Collectors Community was:

Challenge #13: Free Challenge

We're halfway through 2019, and everyone has been creating fabulous entries for this year's set of Creative Challenges! Thanks so much to everyone who is taking part and following along. I don't always get a chance to comment, but it's so much fun to read the stories and comments and see the photos and crafting projects. You are all seriously talented!

For the first challenge of July, there will be no new theme. Instead, this is a chance for everyone to work on a Sylvanian project of their choosing.

Make an item or items, photograph a scene, write a story, or do whatever inspires you to do something creative with your Sylvanian collection!
 
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In my New Neighbours entry, I briefly featured the pub I have been working on lately, owned by the Robinsons and called "The Blackcurrant Bush". I wanted to take this opportunity to write a short story featuring a typical day in the pub (and in Wilbur Robinson's life!).
Why the name, you might wonder? Back when I was thinking of getting the Robinsons, I wanted them to own the Blackcurrant Café. This is an older building however, and a bit difficult to get with all the accessories. The biggest problem is always shipping costs, really. In the end, I decided to transform a small shop-type building my boyfriend got for me as a gift into a pub for the Robinsons.  Since I had already imagined that the Robinsons would have a special blend of home-made wine to serve to their customers (blackcurrant wine, to go with the name of the café I originally wanted them to own), I kept that idea and named their pub The Blackcurrant Bush!
Will the Robinsons be able to expand their business to a café in their future? Who knows... for now though, they're quite happy with their pub, which is quite successful in Arcfield!

Without further ado, here's the story! Hope you like it. It was fun to write and photograph for me!

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It was early in the morning in the Robinson's household. Since it was the week-end, Wilbur and Fliss' daughters were still sleeping.


"I'm going to skip breakfast today, my love" said Wilbur, already dressed annd ready for the work day ahead. "You know how Friday nights are, and I was so tired last night that I didn't get to finishing the cleaning up. I'll have to be at the pub earlier today".

Fliss, who had been cleaning (she's quite proud of her spotless home!), immediately frowned.


"What do you mean, you're going to skip breakfast? You know that's no good, Wilbur! You're going to be working all day, and you need your energy!"

Most people would feel at least a bit intimidated by Fliss' stern gaze, but not her husband, who smiled in slight amusement. 
"I really need to go. Sorry, my dear".

Fliss chased her husband right to the door that lead outside the house, an apple in her hand.
"Take this at least, Wilbur! I'll be so worried about you all day if I let you go without having eaten at least something!"
Mr Robinson smiled and took the apple.
"Okay, I'll have it on my way there. Can I have a kiss as well, my lady?"
Fliss' frown immediately melted at these words, and a smile graced her lips. 

"But of course, you silly thing. I can never stay mad at you. I'll be there later with some food for the customers".
"Thank you, Fliss. Everyone's always looking forward to the week-ends to taste your delicious cooking at the pub".
Wilbur winked at her, and Fliss smiled back.
"Now you're just being a flatterer. Get going already!".

Things were indeed quite messy from the night before when Mr Robinson arrived at his pub. Let's give him a moment to clean up!

There we go! All set, and just in time for his first customer of the day.

Who is, as always, doctor Rick Andes, who visits the pub on his bicycle every day before starting his rounds. As soon as he hears the wheels around the corner, Wilbur starts getting the coffee ready. It seems like today he's brought his youngest son Oscar with him along with his suitcase!

"Good morning, doctor Rick! Here's your coffee. Are you taking your little one to do the rounds with you today? Is your wife unwell?"
"Oh, no, fortunately my dear Ariadna is well and healthy, thank you for asking. She went out with Ms Hunter-Smyth this morning, and we agreed that she'd come and pick up Oscar here. Hey, you rascal, leave that be!"
Oscar is very interested in the phonograph. It makes nice sounds!

Doctor Rick enjoys his coffee while having a chat with Wilbur Robinson, and it isn't long before Ariadna Andes comes, accompanied by her new friend Camilla.
"Honey!" exclaims doctor Rick, all smiles. He just adores his wife.
"Darling!" says Ariadna, blushing a little. She adores her husband all the same, but she's very shy and there's people around! Oscar immediately gets excited upon seeing his mum, and giggles happily as she picks him up.
"Has my little ball of wool behaved this morning? Oh, thank you so much for taking care of him, my love. And thank you, Wilbur, for your patience. I'm sure he's tested it!"
"Not at all, Ms Andes" says Wilbur, lifting his gaze from the cup he's been washing, and smiling. "You know my Cali already; I'm used to it!".

After doctor Rick leaves, Wilbur asks the two friends what they will be having.
"Mr Robinson, it's so hot outside today! Please, give me the biggest, coldest drink you have!" exclaims Camilla, softly wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
"Just orange juice for me, please" Ariadna asks with a soft voice. 
The two friends enjoy their cold drinks, and Oscar behaves surprisingly well in the meantime!

  After Camilla and Ariadna have left, it's the Chocolate siblings who visit The Blackcurrant Bush. They've been playing outside and are visibly out of breath.
"Mr Robinson, can we please have a glass of water?" asks Coco.
"But of course children, here you are. It's important to stay hydrated when you're out in this sun!"
"Thank you, Mr Robinson" says Freya, very politely. But Wilbur smiles, as his daughter Frances has told him about her trouble-making ways. "How much is it?"
"Oh, nothing at all, no worries. Water is free here! Just keep being friends with my Frances, will you?" Wilbur smiles, and Freya smiles in turn and nods.
"Of course!"

After the children leave, Fliss Robinson visits the pub carrying a saucepan full of her homemade food. Now Wilbur will be able to serve a little something to eat to the customers along with their drinks for the rest of the day!

As evening approaches, the pub starts to fill with the adult men of the village, who enjoy the Robinsons' specialty: blackcurrant wine! Seems like grandpa Rhys Chocolate and mayor Nicholas McFarlane are here, using the barrel that Wilbur uses to store his liquor as a makeshift table! Christopher Spinelli is also here, having finishing his pizza deliveries for the day and laughing loudly at Wilbur's jokes. 
"You're hilarious, Wilbur Robinson! You should have been a comedian instead of a barkeep!"

A couple hours later, an annoyed Anthony Spinelli comes pick up his younger brother from the pub.
"Christopher, will you come home with me? There's pizzas to deliver tomorrow, you know!"
"But I j-just arrived here, broooo...!"
It's clear from his speech that perhaps Christopher has had a few too many glasses of the delicious blackcurrant wine!
Charles Hunter-Smyth is also here, trying it! He's heard great things about it, and seems to be appreciating the rich flavour.

Everyone has left and it's getting late, so it's and time to close the pub. Wilbur Robinson smiles as he takes the disc off the phonograph. He's tired, sure, but also happy. He loves being able to chat with everyone on the village and serve delicious drinks and food to them. He wouldn't change his little business for anything!

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The end! I hope you enjoyed this little story. :) I had been meaning to write it for a long time, and I'm happy to finally have my pub ready and to be able to feature the Robinsons, as I adore them! They're definitely one of my favourite families.

Here's an extra "behind the scenes" picture so that you can see the "awning" and sign I made for the pub. Thank you to everyone in the forum who helped me with the measurements!

Hope you all have a great week-end!