Scars // LH

Chapter21- Spaghetti Miss

Sorry its taken soo long to update! I've had school! Oh, the struggles of being in Year 9!

Spaghetti Miss

I peered up at the huge neon sign. "Locanda Cipriana" in huge fancy writing. It was pretty, overlooking the famous Lake Garda. As it was beginning to get dark, the golden lights glimmered from inside, beckoning for us to come in. I gulped. It all suddenly seemed too posh and fancy for a 16 year old girl. I tugged at my dress protectively. It suddenly seemed too short and skimpy.

As we pushed through the entrance, I knew I was right. Elderly people and older couples dressed in posh blazers and flimsy hats were hunched over white clothed tables, sipping red wine and babbling along in Italian. The restaurant was very sophisticated, with beige and cream vintage walls and matching golden chandeliers lingering over every table. A tall and thin waiter with slick black hair and a huge moustache suddenly came striding up to us, almost as if he'd been waiting for us. He was wearing a typical white shirt, with a black waistcoat and red bow tie. He looked sophisticated too, but as soon as he started talking, I knew he wasn't all that snotty. "Aah! Welcome! It is Hemmings, right?"

He shot a knowing glance behind me, before turning to me and smiling warmly. "Follow me, please." He spun on his heel and stalked on ahead, clutching his little notepad. I gulped, following him timidly as every head pretty much swivelled my way. I shrank back into Luke, who pushed me forward gently. "Any slower Soph, we'll be moving backwards." He whispered in my ear, and I muffled a giggle.

We finally caught up with the waiter, who was now at the back of the restaurant, away from all of the other tables. He pointed to his left. "Toilets are down there."

I piped up, a little confused. "Um, aren't we sitting in the main part, you know, with everyone else?" I gestured behind me, and the waiter chuckled, shaking his head.

"No no, no. Mr Hemmings booked something extra special for you two!" He wiggled his eyebrows and started down the little corridor, the opposite way to the toilets. I poked Luke in the shoulder as we followed. "Something special, eh?" His cheeks were tinted pink as I said it. "Ssh!" He whispered, batting my hands away, clearly embarrassed.

We finally reached a white framed French door. The waiter stepped aside and pushed it open. Straight away, I was shocked.

There was a long gravel path, surrounded by hedges, hiding it, almost like it was a secret. At the very end of the passage, was a gazebo. An open roofed gazebo. You know, the ones on those films, the romantic ones. I gasped, tottering down the long path and climbed the white marbel stairs and onto the gazebo. A small table was already laid out for two, with matching plates and cutlery and little wine glasses. I oohed and aahed over the open roof, the huge garden behind, the little red pieces of confetti scattered across the table, everything. The waiter was right. It was something special.

"You like?" The waiter asked as he and Luke reached the gazebo. "We planned it all, extra special, because a little bird told us that it it someone's birthday today." I grinned as he winked back. "Thank you."

"Not at all! Now, what would you like to drink?" The waiter whipped out his notebook as Luke pulled the chair out for me. Such a gentleman.

"I'll just have a beer." Luke stated, seating himself opposite me. "Soph?"

I pondered the thought. "Can I try your best champagne?"

"Of course!" The waiter flicked at his pen. "By the way, my name is Gabriel, and I'm your waiter tonight." And with that, he strode on down the path.