The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin Page 0,65
out of the hotel and breathe in some fresh air. Staying in her room for the evening would have driven her even more crazy. The determination to maximise her time, almost as much as not wanting to be left alone with her turbulent thoughts, had driven her out to eat by herself, instead of taking the easy option of ordering room service or going down to the hotel restaurant. She wanted an authentic experience and it would make the subject of a good blog post, one that she could write up on her phone during the experience.
How the hell could she have fallen in love with him? It was just lust, wasn’t it? Over excited hormones, she tried to persuade herself. He was gorgeous. It was a given. But Fiona knew with a leaden, sinking sensation that what she felt for Gabe went deeper than that. It eclipsed anything she’d ever felt before and put her youthful crush on him into the shade.
Oh God, what had she done? And what was she going to do about it? A wry smile touched her lips. Maybe she should go for the kiss-first-ask-questions-later strategy again but sadly that impetuosity and daring no longer resided within her.
Striding along the street, reliving every moment of his hands delving into her hair, she tried to take note of the landmarks so that she could find her way back rather than dwell on the moment when she’d thought he might kiss her. Keep your mind on the street, Fiona. She glanced at the map the kind receptionist at the hotel had marked with a few suggested places to eat.
What would Gabe say if she kissed him now? Today he’d been so approachable until bloody Yumi had appeared on the scene. She was so lost in thought she realised she’d missed the street she was aiming for and cannoned into someone when she turned to retrace her steps. The man bowed good naturedly and she held up her hands in apology.
Gosh, what a contrast to the way she’d felt when she’d been on her own after losing Gabe at Shibuya and the fear that she’d always feel hopelessly lost and out of place. Japan would always feel very different but she was enjoying and embracing the differences now, even as she looked ahead at the unfamiliar street scene. One of the best things about the country was how incredibly safe it felt and although not many people spoke English there seemed to be a willingness to help.
She stopped to stare in a window full of plastic models of the dishes, including a very authentic-looking bowl of soup and noodles. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen such a display; it seemed quite a common thing in Japan and quite handy given the language barrier. When she checked the name of the restaurant she realised she’d stumbled upon the very place she’d been trying to find, and when Fiona peered in through the door, it was busy but not too crowded, with a mix of Japanese and Western tourists, which gave her hope that the menu might be in English. She wished Gabe was with her; he knew his way around Japanese food.
She was greeted with a bow by a very young man who didn’t bat an eyelid at her solitary status when she asked for a table for one by holding up an index finger. He replied in English with a mischievous smile, ‘Follow me,’ leading her to a corner booth where she could look out and people watch but she wasn’t completely conspicuous. He was rewarded for his thoughtfulness with a warm smile and she ordered an Asahi beer. Already her stomach was turning over at the smells. It had been a long time since the bento box and Kit-Kat on the train.
Her drink, when it arrived, hit the spot and she savoured the first malty mouthful of the pale golden beer. Just what the doctor ordered. She looked at the menu, none of which meant very much to her. With a decisive flick of her wrist, she put her menu down and caught the eye of the waiter.
‘Excuse me. What’s the best thing on the menu?’
He beamed with pleasure. ‘Tonkotsu ramen. Very good.’
‘Can you tell me what’s in it?’ She didn’t want any nasty surprises.
‘Finest noodles. Made with best quality flour, fresh every day. Noodles rinsed five times.’ She assumed that was to keep the water fresh and starch free.