CHAPTER28
Alex peered apprehensively at the lobster on her plate like it had just crawled on there unexpectedly. It sat next to a dish of melted butter, a lemon wedge and a portion of seasoned fries.
‘You alright there, Alex?’ Erin asked. ‘You did order the lobster, right?’
Alex nodded, her eyes still fixed on its bright red shell. ‘I did,’ she replied. ‘I just assumed someone might have broken into it for me first. Aw, man, it still has its face on.’
Everyone started to laugh, watching as she tapped on the shell. ‘Does it come with a power drill or what?’
‘Is this your first-time having lobster?’ Beth asked. She had decided to go with the scampi, which Alex thought looked far easier to navigate.
‘No,’ Alex replied, ‘I’ve had lobster before, it’s just never actually looked like one.’
‘Some people call them cockroaches of the sea, if that helps?’ Aiden remarked.
‘Not really.’
Tara laughed. ‘Want me to do it for you?’
Alex briefly considered this before refusing. ‘No. No, I feel like this is a rite of passage. Car, house, lobster cracking, retirement, death.’
‘Good for you,’ Paul encouraged, tucking into his fish and chips. ‘First time I did it, I nearly lost a finger.’
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘Don’t listen to him,’ Tara said, grinning. ‘Just do what I do. It’s not that hard, no pun intended. Grab a pair of those little pincer things and a seafood fork… yep, the long thin one.’
Alex followed her instructions, aware that everyone else now appeared to be very invested. ‘God, please eat your food, people. I’m starting to feel like a sideshow here.’
‘Please, if anyone would like an oyster, help yourself.’
Becky almost fell off her chair. Was that the sound of Christine making an effort?
‘Ooh, maybe,’ Beth replied. ‘I’ve never tried them.’
‘Excellent!’ Erin exclaimed, ‘We have another seafood virgin, ladies and gentlemen.’
‘Do it,’ Alex encouraged, dipping her lobster into butter. ‘It’s the worst experience you’ll ever have, but it’s character building.’
‘Aren’t they an aphrodisiac?’ Paul asked. ‘If they are, I am also in favour of Beth trying one. Or five.’
Everyone gave a small chuckle.
‘They are indeed,’ Christine replied, with just a hint of a smile on her face. ‘And yes, they’re an acquired taste, but I adore them.’
‘Do you just swallow them down?’ Beth asked. Their slimy appearance wasn’t exactly inviting. Kinda like a little shell full of snot.
‘You can,’ Christine replied. ‘You get the most flavour by chewing them however.’
As Becky listened to her girlfriend, she was dumbfounded. She was being helpful. Charming almost. Maybe Becky’s ultimatum had actually worked. She placed a hand gently on Christine’s knee.
Beth watched as Christine prised open an oyster before loosening it from the shell. She squeezed on some lemon juice and a little Tabasco before slurping it into her mouth. A little chew and she swallowed it down. ‘See. Delicious.’
‘I’ll do one with you,’ Aiden said. ‘I’ve had fried oysters but never raw.’
Beth smiled at him gratefully. ‘Deal.’
Christine loaded up both oysters and passed them across. ‘Bon appétit!’
