Chapter 9: December 29th

The waiters are all dressed in black trousers and white shirts. I have not considered, until now, that I have zero waiting experience and that I’m only here because I have become infatuated with one of the other waiters. I get a little tour from the manager—a petite woman with red hair and dark lipstick—and then I’m on my own.

It’s busy. The large party Neha had spoken of is, in fact, enormous. They take up three lines of put together tables, and they all order at once. Which means rushing to and fro with drinks and plates for their four-course meals. It all happens so fast, I have no time to speak to Tom or anybody, except for the guests, and by the time the restaurant closes, I feel bone-weary.

There’s a certain comradery in this, though. The other waiters,……