Eating in Windswept Shores Two by Janice Seagraves

When I normally write a dinner scene, I try to make sure it's something that people would eat at the city or country's setting. In Windswept Shores Two, I had a fancy restaurant where Seth and his old mate were eating lunch. The setting is Sydney, Australia, and from what I understand most of the diners there serve a lot of seafood. I had just took a vacation with my husband to Morro Bay, California, which is a far cry from Sydney, but the food I ate there was seafood.
So I thought why not.

the view from Dutchman's restaurant in Morro Bay California

So, I thought about a lovely meal my husband and I had there at our favorite eatery called the Dutchman's restaurant and wrote the scene. Looked up if sword fish was on the menu in Sydney and found out it wasn't. Hmm. Well, that wouldn't work. Undaunted, I looked up what was served at most restaurants in Sydney and substituted sword fish for Tuna. I think it worked out just fine.

Excerpt from Windswept Shores Two:

Less than half an hour later, they were at one of the more prestigious restaurants in the business district. High ceilings, extremely decorated walls, and floor to ceiling drapes. Seth whistled as he looked around. “You sure we can get in?”

“Of course.” Nigel adjusted his silk tie. “You’re the CEO of Dawson Inc.. Why wouldn’t we, mate?”

“Do you have a reservation?” asked the hostess.

Seth gazed into the sitting area and saw a great many empty tables available and was just about to point it out. “No, but—”

Nigel smoothly cut in with, “This is Seth Dawson of Dawson Inc.. We came for tea. You got a table for us, love?”

She looked down at the reservation book. “Well, I—”

Nigel hung his hand over the edge of the podium with a bill folded between two of his fingers. “How about now?”

She snatched the money and it disappeared down her cleavage. “A table just opened up. Sirs, if you’ll come with me.”

They followed the hostess over to a table near a window. Seth and Nigel took a seat.

“Your waiter will be with you shortly.” She handed them menus and scurried back to her spot near the door.

Seth hung an arm over the back of his chair. “You still got the moves, mate.”

“You got that right.” Nigel perused the menu. “What do you say we make this a martini lunch?”

“No, mate. I’m off the sauce.”

His eyes were large as he stared at him. “Whatz that?”

“My bird helped me get clean and sober.” He gazed at his own menu.

“No beer on that old fishing boat?”

“Not after I drank it all, and then I went into the DTs.” Seth shivered remembering how hard it was. “But Megz took care of me the whole time.”

The waiter come over, they both placed their orders. Nigel chose prawns and noodles from the menu, and Seth the lunch special of grilled tuna over mashed potatoes.

Once the waiter left, Nigel turned back to him. “Blimey, no more late night parting like we used to do?”

“Nope. I’m done.” Seth picked up the water glass and chugged it down, but wished it was beer instead.

“Remember going on your first date with Liz and getting drunk off your bum?”

They both laughed. Seth wiped a tear off. “I made a right mess of it. It’s a wonder she ever went out with me again.”

“How about when you convinced that bird you knew how to brake dance and almost broke your fool neck.”

Seth sat forward with an elbows on the table. “Oy, I would have had that spin down if you hadn’t been standing in the way.”

The food came, and they ate. Many fun reminisces followed. All too soon Seth checked his watch, and it was time to go back. He snatched up the bill. “This one is on me, mate.”

Nigel reached for the check. “Naw, Setho, let me get it.”

“I’m the boss man now. It’s mine to pay for.” He playfully held the paper away from him.

“Orright,” Nigel said grudgingly. “Can’t argue with my boss now can I."
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