Lunch at the Restaurant

Julia and Mei meet at a small restaurant near the river. It is one o'clock, and the place is full. A waiter comes to them with a smile.

“Good afternoon. A table for two?” he asks. “Yes, please. Near the window, if possible,” says Julia. He takes them to a table with a view of the water.

The menu has three parts: starters, main courses and desserts. Mei reads it twice. “Everything looks good. I can't decide!” she laughs.

When the waiter comes back, Julia orders first. “I'd like the vegetable soup and then the grilled fish, please.” “And to drink?” “Sparkling water, please.”

“Is the pasta spicy?” asks Mei. “Just a little,” answers the waiter. “Then I'll have the pasta with tomato sauce, and an orange juice.”

The food arrives quickly. The fish is fresh and the pasta smells wonderful. The two friends eat slowly and talk about work, travel and their families.

For dessert, they share a chocolate mousse with two spoons. “This is the best part of the day,” says Mei, and Julia agrees.

At the end, Julia asks: “Could we have the bill, please?” They pay, leave a tip on the table and walk out into the sunny afternoon.