AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ve never tried lobster before, and it sounds so good, but the cost makes me second-guess my choice. The scallops are another starter. Mum never eats much, but I can’t ignore how much this will all cost her.
Our waitress arrives and pours our water before asking for our drinks order.
Just as we do, the big table cheers as a cork is popped from a bottle of champagne. It’s then I see the sixteenth birthday banner hanging to the side of the table and the shiny helium balloons.
“I’ll have a Rock Gin and tonic, please.”
“Just a Coke, please.”
“Of course. Are you ready to order?” he asks my mum.
“Sure. We’ll have the large moules mariniere to share as a starter with extra bread. And for the main, the poached lobster, a side of fries, and the scallops.” My eyes flash to Mum, who gives me a knowing smile.
“A small or as a main?” He doesn’t look up from his little pad.
“Small.”
He leaves with an efficient nod.
“Mum, you didn’t have to do that.”
“But I wanted to.”
Our drinks arrive, and we clink in a quick and quiet toast.
“Sorry, I didn’t get you balloons.” She nods her head, indicating the large party.
“I don’t need balloons. You’ve done plenty.”
The girl who’d shown us to our table, maybe a couple of years older than me, returns and places a small slate plate between us with two curls of butter sprinkled with sea salt and herbs on top. Next, she sets a slightly larger plate down with two slices of bread, followed by the bowl of mussels.
“Ohh, fancy,” Mum mocks.
“Oh my god.” My eyes bulge, and I tip my head down, staring at the bowl.
“What? What’s wrong.”
“Jeremy Archer is here. He’s at the big table.” I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks already.
“Oh, which one is he?” she says, turning around and looking.
“Mum, stop it.” I put my hand up to my forehead to try and shield myself.
“He’s just a boy.”
“Yeah, okay, Mum.” I shake my head at her and slump down a little in my seat.
“Why don’t you go and say hi.” She twists around again.
“Are you mad? No. And stop looking. It’s embarrassing.”
But I can’t stop sneaking a peek over to his table. He’s not smiling, even with a glass of champagne in front of him. He’s sitting at the end of his table with his phone out in front of him. I’m pretty sure it’s not his birthday, as there was a rumour of him having a big party when we were still at school.
I scan the rest of the table and notice a couple of other people who look our age. Maybe one of them is celebrating? A family thing, or maybe he’s out with friends? But my eyes are eager to wander back to him.
It’s then, as if he can feel me watching, he looks up.
He spears me with his eyes, finding mine immediately and sending a hot flush racing for my face. I turn my head away in an awkward and obvious way. Maybe he won’t recognise me. He seemed to do a good job of ignoring me at school.
