Page 36 of The Seaside Supper Club

‘Oh yes, Dan has taken the lead with the menu today.’

Andreas and Dan came up with such great ideas for their dining experiences. And experiences they always were!

So, it wasn’t Tropicana cocktails, after all, thought Cath, though that might yet come to fruition later. And a Spanish theme, hey. It wouldn’t surprise her if Andreas came out sporting a sombrero with some maracas and a castanet. Flamenco on the beach might even be on the agenda for later, she mused merrily. She’d better keep schtum, or she’d be giving the pair ideas. The lads were guaranteed to bring an element of joy to every occasion, and looking over at a now-smiling Will, in the midst of his troubling health issues, this was exactly what the both of them needed.

Nikki held her glass aloft. ‘Cheers, or should I be saying “Salud” or “Olé”!’

‘Salud.’ ‘Cheers.’ Lily and Cath chorused.

‘Thank you, lads.’ Will had taken a small glass. With his health concerns, he was keeping alcohol to a minimum just now.

‘Thanks, Dan,’ Nikki called out towards the kitchen zone, where the ‘head chef’ was still full-on at the camping hob.

‘You’re welcome.’ his voice drifted out over the sounds of sizzling. ‘And I’ll be joining you soon. Though mine’ll be a 0 per cent lager.’ Dan had agreed to drive them home later.

More mouthwatering scents, now of seafood and tangy tomatoes, were reaching the deck area. Ah-hah, Cath had an idea what might well be on the menu. When a slightly-sweaty looking Dan appeared with his oven mitts on, brought from Tilldale for the task, she was delighted to see a huge pan of – yes, she’d guessed right – paella. Prawns and peppers, mussels in their shells, chorizo, chicken, olives and wedges of lemon adorned the dish. ‘Supper is ready.’

‘Wow, that looks a-maz-ing,’ said Lily. ‘Wait, let me take a picture.’ And she pulled out her mobile phone and snapped away. ‘Okay.’

‘Oh, I’m gonna have to stand it somewhere to serve,’ explained Dan. ‘Your kitchen space is a challenging area, Will.’

‘I realise that, sorry,’ Will agreed.

The paella dish was placed on a large bread board out on the wooden deck, where Dan crouched down to serve it out into cute Spanish pottery-style bowls.

‘Ooh, aren’t they pretty,’ commented Nikki.

‘We carried these all the way home from the Costa Brava, on our jollies two years ago,’ Andreas explained. ‘And the huge paella pan. Seemed a bargain at the time. But it cost us fifty quid in excess baggage.’ He laughed. ‘We hadn’t thought of that, had we, love?’

‘We do love a paella, though. It was well worth it,’ Dan added with a warm smile.

‘Dan’s the paella pro,’ enthused Andreas proudly.

‘Well then, let’s have a toast to the chefs,’ said Will, who was looking more relaxed than Cath had seen him in days.

‘Hear, hear,’ said Cath, feeling such warmth for their wonderful friends.

‘Yeah, thanks so much, lads. Can’t wait to dig in,’ said Nikki.

‘Looks delish,’ said Lily.

With a stunning sea view set before them, they tucked in. The flavours were divine. It was indeed as good as it looked. Perfect for a summer get-together on the coast. The lads had pulled off ‘The Seaside Supper Club’ perfectly. With no cooker, no real kitchen to speak of and only a portable gas camping hob, they’d done a sterling job.

‘Cheers,’ said Nikki.

‘Cheers, and thank you,’ said Will.

‘This is exactly what the beach hut needs. Friends, fantastic food and …’ Cath started.

‘Fun.’ Andreas finished, before Cath had a chance to find the right word, and then he pulled out a pair of castanets from his pocket and clacked away with dramatic arm gestures, almost knocking his food bowl off his lap! ‘We brought back these little beauties, too.’

Cath shook her head as she giggled, fork in hand. The rest of the group chortled away at his daft antics.

Chapter 13

The fab four guests stayed until the sun began to dip low behind the dunes, setting beyond the golf course behind them to the west. Long shadows were cast over the deck area and the bungalow, the heat from the day now fading. A salty sea breeze rippled through the marram grass, and cooled their skin, as the tide rolled back in, making them reach for their jackets and light fleeces.

Giving the cheffing duo a break, Cath, Will, Nikki and Lily began clearing the glasses and dishes from the deck, washing and drying them at the little kitchen sink, ready for the gang’s departure. Will and Cath intended to head off soon after the others, too. The hut wasn’t really in any condition for a sleepover as yet.