The local pub.

“So where are you taking us to eat?” Michael asked Emma, as she turned the station wagon out of the caravan park.

“I was thinking the pub,” she replied. Emma had been craving a big counter meal ever since she’d heard the local watering hole put on a very decent feed. The two gold coins and purse full of silver change had meant she’d not even set foot inside the place yet.

“Sounds good to me,” Michael said in agreement.

The pub was a quick 10-minute drive back into town and it gave the two old friends the first real chance to get reacquainted. They filled each other in on the past several months since the girls had left town. Michael had decided to take a gap year before heading off to university to study next year. Emma and Robyn had just wanted to escape their small town rather than make any concrete plans for the future.

The car park of the pub had a handful of cars already parked when they pulled up into a space outside the main doors. Emma was genuinely disappointed when Michael pulled his white crew shirt back on as they made their way to door. “No shirt, no service,” he quipped holding the door open for his friend.

Emma nose was greeted by the most heavenly aromas of hot, delicious food as they stepped inside. Her mouth watered just at the thought of something other than boring old cereal for the first time this week. She was practically grinning from ear to ear as she sat down at a table with Michael grabbing the menus from the bar. She looked around the pub with its long wooden bar and collection of laminate tables that were sparsely occupied. Her eyes came to rest on the specials board. She wouldn’t be needing a menu after all, instantly making up her mind.

“What do you feel like?” Michael asked as he sat down.

“No need for that,” Emma replied. “Unless they have a garlic bread in there?” She asked hopefully before continuing to tell Michael what she would order. “Parmie and Pint. $18 on Wednesdays.”

“Good choice,” he replied as he looked over the menu. “I think I’ll have the grilled barramundi and chips. Which beer did you want?”

“Little Creatures pale ale.”

“Mmm better make that two,” Michael agreed. “I’ll go order.”