"Ladies! Ted, Peter and I are off for a Chinese meal and then we're going to the trots. Ted has some hot tips so perhaps we can win tonight. Would you like to join us?"
Ignoring Jennifer's coldness and responding to the nods and warmth of Karen and Ruth he continued. "That's settled then. We're going to the trots."
Noticing Jennifer's expression, Bob quickly added for her benefit, "Harness Racing. First we'll have a Chinese meal and then go to the trots." He made sure everyone knew, so enthusiastically he began to pair everyone off.
Karen had held Jennifer to her promise to spend the evening with them but this was too much.
Their further planning paused as two uniformed police officers arrived to lead Peter off to a quiet corner where they questioned him about the scuffle.
When the two officers left, as quietly as they had arrived, the group made their way out of the bar but Jennifer was unimpressed by the planned entertainment. The stiffness with which she held herself and the reluctance with which she allowed Peter to take her arm made that painfully obvious. Her silence was icy. To her surprise, Peter understood.
His consideration for her feelings showed as he leant towards her to ask, "Would you rather not come? I'll drive you home if you prefer. Frankly, trotting is not my scene either. The others have never managed to drag me along before. I've always found an excuse. Tonight will be my first time too."
Astonished, Jennifer found herself becoming interested in Peter. She liked his sensitivity. Of course, it could be his stock-in-trade – his 'line' – but she resolved to wait and see so she allowed them to persuade her to go along.
"I brought a trade-in which we finished detailing this afternoon. It's big enough so everyone travels with me!" Peter took command throwing his keys to the parking attendant.
Jennifer looked at him and laughed at Bob's comments, "My God, Peter's brought a bus to town. Bet the company is paying for the tightwad's petrol. Peter, you lead, we'll follow, you bloody bossy bugger!"
Instead of a bus, a large people mover arrived and Peter made his two friends get in the rear seats before helping Karen and Ruth into the second row of seats. He then assisted Jennifer into the front seat.
"I don't want any misbehavior by you two hooligans. You'll give me a bad name," was his excuse.
The trip to Chinatown was quick and as they walked the streets, Bob reassumed leadership.
"You should all realize that Peter has a sixth sense when it comes to food. He may not drink much alcohol but he sure knows how to eat. Peter, select the restaurant and order for all of us."
Unwilling to display his language abilities in front of Jennifer, Peter looked ill at ease. Yet, although obviously embarrassed, he made no comment. Instead, he studied the Chinese signs above the shop doorways as if reading them.
Peter realized he must do as Bob had requested.
This was not the time to pretend ignorance. Suddenly he dived into a non-descript doorway and led the way up a flight of narrow creaky stairs.
Jennifer drew back. There were no tablecloths and there was no sign of English anywhere. The place was garish with its red lanterns, while in the far corner was an altar where joss sticks burned. Although not a single European face was visible, Peter seemed perfectly at home.
The headwaiter, in excruciating English, tried to inform them no tables were available but Peter would have none of it, answering in a bark of guttural Chinese that seemed to flow endlessly off his tongue. Backing away, the waiter rushed off to the kitchen while Peter slowly made his way to the altar in the corner where he knelt. Lighting three joss sticks he seemed to bow his head in prayer, completely ignoring his party.
"Oh god, he's off again. Stop looking worried, Jennifer, Peter is absolutely harmless but he sometimes thinks he is more Chinese than the Chinese." Ted's quiet explanation seemed to remove Jennifer's apprehension. "Just go with the flow and we'll have a Chinese meal such as you have never experienced and is never on a menu."
Charmed by Ted's kindly explanation Jennifer listened to the cacophony of Chinese voices.
"He may seem strange – bloody strange at times – but he will never hurt you. Tonight is the first time I've ever seen him with a woman. For the first time since I have known him he demanded that we introduce him to a woman – you!"
The manager arrived, his face an inscrutable mask, but catching sight of Peter praying, he waited patiently. As Peter rose and turned to join his party that mask broke into a wide smile of pleasure and the manager led the noisy party into a back room furnished with a long, heavily carved table, and high-backed ornately-carved chairs. Carefully, he sat Peter at the head of the table. Jennifer he sat at Peter's right, but allowed the others to sit where they wished. He clapped his hands and waiters appeared at Peter's side.
With no attention to the menu, Peter began a rattle fire conversation with a waiter, obviously discussing the order.
Yet, it was impossible for Jennifer to decide whether Peter's conversation with the waiters was affable or impolite. The guttural sibilants and implosive grunts of the language combined with her inability to read any facial reactions made it impossible to guess the mood of the conversation.
Jennifer was completely nonplussed. This strange man with the piercing blue eyes, formerly so attentive and so considerate, had changed. Now he seemed to be so authoritarian – almost tyrannical in his supervision of the meal order. Giving his full attention to the waiter, he even took the order pad to check what he had written. Peter seemed to correct some items as if he could read the Chinese characters.
He was not boasting of his prowess, he was not boasting of his proficiency in another language he was just at home, perfectly comfortable in this second culture.
Overhearing a whispered comment by one of the waiters, "The Little One is here," Jennifer looked around the table to try to discover The Little One. Was The Little One either of her two friends who were far from being giants? It could not possibly be Bob or Ted who were not small. It certainly was not the big bear of a man, Peter. She wasn't sure who carried this unusual title. Surely, they were not applying that name to her.
"Please forgive me. I took the liberty of ordering for you." The waiters had scurried away and Peter leant towards Jennifer. "I really have tried to order a meal that suits your pallet and says thanks for coming with me tonight. I used my experience in Chinese Cuisine to order some dishes that normally are not available. I hope you enjoy the meal."
Jennifer just nodded.
One waiter placed a petite bowl of chilies floating in oil smelling of fish before Peter.
After filling the bowl with soy sauce, he lifted it to his lips and began shoveling the chilies into his mouth. Expressionless but alert, the waiter was watching closely. Peter grunted "Ho" as the final chili vanished into his mouth.
"Hell, Peter I wish you would forget that party trick." Bob looked as if he was about to heave. "I come out in heat rashes just watching you! My throat burns and my stomach cramps with acute agony. Talk about heart-burn!"
Stunned, shuddering and speechless, Jennifer could only stare at Peter. She felt at a loss because only chopsticks were evident and she felt self-conscious. Looking at her friends, she sought some support but they were too engrossed playing up to their dinner companions.
