We had been forgotten and, for an hour or more, nobody noticed that our order hadn’t been taken yet. We didn’t mind too much – neither did the couple on the table next to us. We alfresco diners thought it was rather comical and had a nice chat about everything under the sun (although it was evening – and then night!); some of the inside diners had left in a huff so we felt obliged to keep our end up and remain cheerful (it helped that some of us were a bit merry already… from the “stubbies” bought at the bottle-shop across the road!).

At last someone remembered our order and four spring rolls appeared just within the subsequent hour. The spring rolls were accompanied by a sweet-chilli sauce and a small salad garnish on the side. By now hungry, we made short work of the delicious crispy (and small) rolls and, fearful that it might be another sixty minutes before the main courses arrived, we turned our attention to the side salad. A piece of red pepper or tomato (I wasn’t sure which) had fallen off the plate and onto the tablecloth. I picked it up and returned it to the plate, realising as I did so that it wasn’t red pepper or tomato…

But it was something red – even redder than the embarrassment showing on my face… The red thing was – can you guess? – it was a…a…a bottle top. I know, I know… yet again, I should’ve gone to Specsavers !

Everything red is good for you!

Especially what was under it!