21 avril ! Bon anniversaire à sa Majesté !

L'histoire de Barbara

The restaurant was very good. Eleonora had taken 9 oysters which were still wriggling beneath the lemon juice.

She was with her fiancé celebrating their engagement as they had been together for 3 years and he had just proposed to her. She was delighted and they were planning to marry in 6 months time and purchase a house near both their families.

Her fiancé Brad was an Architect and Eleonora was a personal secretary. Brad was 26 and Eleonora was 25. He was tall dark and handsome and she was petite and beautiful. Brad had one brother and Eleonora had one sister. Their parents wern’t particularly wealthy, but were both comfortable enough.

Brad and Eleonora both loved to sail and had their own sailing boat which they had gone on many interesting journeys with, occasionally joined by their families.

Tonight was also special because the date was the third anniversary since they first met.

It was a large very popular restaurant with a stage and live music which made for very pleasant and relaxing surroundings. Once the table was booked you could stay there all evening, taking your time between each delicious course.

Eleonora of course started with the oysters, followed by Rump steak with pepper sauce, and afterwards a delicious dessert of strawberry pavlova and fresh cream.

Brad started with smoked salmon chives and tomatoes, followed by a rack of lamb, and afterwards a delicious crème brulé. They ordered the best champagne to enjoy their meal with.

Everyone in the restaurant cheered them as their engagement was announced over the microphone.

This exquisite life would end this evening with ravioli and Mahler.

L'histoire de Doreen

The restaurant was very good; Eleanor had taken 9 Oysters, which were still wriggling beneath the lemon juice. The table setting was as always perfect in every way, crisp white table cloth of the very best linen, matching embroidered napkins with the Carambola emblem on them. Gleaming silverware and sparkling crystal glasses and in the centre of the table, the most delicate floral arrangement of Orchids and Gardenia, giving a feeling of peace and stillness.

Her gaze fastened on the handsome, impeccably dressed gentlemen sitting at the table opposite, Eleanor wondered if this was his first time at the exquisite Carambola. He caught her looking at him and smiled, his deep brown eyes captivated her and something told her by the end of this evening she would know him much better.

The scent of Jasmine wafted from outside and her gaze shifted to the moon shimmering on the calm, black sea below the balcony. In the distance, Eleanor could see a cruise ship passing by, its lights twinkling like diamonds, against the deep darkness of the sky. She wondered where its next port of call was and what delights the passengers were enjoying on board. It slowly dimmed in the distance and was gone.

A shooting star shot across the sky, amidst a myriad of stars and planets.

Eleanor took one of the Oysters and let it slide into her mouth, which was immediately filled with a delicate salty infusion, she marvelled at how something which looked so unappetising could taste so delicious. Eleanor took a sip of the sparkling Champagne, nothing but the best for Eleanor tonight, she had something to celebrate, all she needed was someone to share her success, so far Eleanor had not met her perfect man, someone who would be her soul mate but she felt maybe this would be the night that could change that..

Eleanor was suddenly aware of the waiter standing by her side and realised she had finished her Oysters; she looked up and smiled at Paulo “They were delicious, she enthused”.

Paulo smiled, Eleanor was always a very welcome customer and was very generous with her compliments. Paulo being the Head Waiter was always assigned to wait at her table. They had known each other for years. He refilled her glass and took away the plate containing the empty Oyster shells.

While waiting for Paulo to return, with her next course of Ravioli, Eleanor reached for her handbag and took out her mobile phone, she had set it on silent, as she hated with a passion, phones ringing in restaurants. Eleanor was totally amazed at the amount of congratulatory texts she had received, from friends and family all over the world. She smiled a very contented smile and put the phone back in her handbag.

Paulo returned to the table with the Ravioli, he too had heard of her success and congratulated her. Eleanor thanked him and he left her to enjoy the Ravioli. Eleanor finished her Ravioli and told Paulo she would take her coffee outside in the Atrium, as she wanted to relax and listen to the resident Pianist, Miss Jemima Lee. Miss Lee played Mahler, Eleanor’s favourite composer like no one else. Eleanor sat and let the beautiful sound of the Piano wash over her, Eleanor thought just how lucky she was, she was 32 years old and had been a very successful model, had graced the front covers of all the top fashion magazines but had decided to turn her back on modelling to follow her passion for writing and that passion had made her one of the most famous novelists of recent years and her 10th book, had just stormed into the top spot of the best sellers lists all around the world. How could she top that? Her huge success enabled her to be sitting in this most beautiful restaurant, on one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

This exquisite life would end this evening with Ravioli and Mahler.

L'histoire de Lesley

The restaurant was very good, Eleanor had taken nine oysters which were still wriggling beneath the lemon juice and covered them with a large piece of lettuce. The other diners looked horrified but I felt a huge amount of relief. I have never been keen on seeing my food alive and could feel my stomach churning at the very thought. As a precaution I reached down for my napkin as I was sure that projectile vomiting over the chintz tablecloth would not be the ‘done’ thing.

I was very relieved when a cute little Italian waiter appeared with some bread rolls. Umm, Nice bum I thought, now that’s definitely my sort of wriggling! Eleanor had spotted him too and was winking at me, sadly her fiancé Frederick, had also noticed. His face flushed, his eyebrows quivered and he stared coldly. Blimey ,that’s not good I thought . Looks like there’s a domestic on the way.

In that nano second, I realised a trip to the ladies room was required, immediately, now!

I made my apologies to the feuding pair and wove my way through the restaurant as demurely as I could, in a dress that was a least two sizes too small and shoes that were ridiculous high. The Maître D pointed in the direction of the loo. Two flights upstairs, not good for a woman who had consumed half a bottle of some posh red and clearly left her pelvic floor on the at home. Tiptoeing modestly with ever such a small hint panic I fled up the stairs.

Les toilettes were charming, beige and stripy, nice towels and there were two booths, both taken. As I fidgeted on the spot I became aware of retching and vomiting . Remind me to find out what she’s been eating I thought! I should have called sympathetically offering help but knew that even the teeniest deviation from my mission would end in a very large puddle and some very wet knickers.

At last, the end door opened and I flew past the leaver. Slamming the door and pulling my knickers down simultaneously, I threw myself on the loo.... OMG what a relief. I was just congratulating myself on getting there in time when I realised the door hadn’t shut, worse still the vomiter’s husband had come to her rescue. Red faced I left muttering .......

By the time I returned to the restaurant Eleanor was standing, clutching her bag and saying some very loud, pas polite words to Frederick , who was wearing all nine oysters and looking ready to explode. Everyone was staring , but not at her. Somebody was tugging at my dress. I turned quickly and came face to face with Cute bottom,

“Madam,” he whispered, ” your dress, she is tucked in your knickers.”

Eleanor took that as a cue to leave , we bolted to the door. Outside on the pavement we dissolved into fits of hysterical laughter. Two heads popped out of the alley. It was the Maitre D and Cute Bottom, “Ladies, your night , it is a disaster. Come , join us for cooking like mother used to make and we will make beautiful music.”

This exquisite life would end this evening with ravioli and Mahler.