Take a Chance on Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

around the perimeter of the room and no windows, equally as exotic as the room above. She was given a drinks menu – a scroll of parchment that looked like it should have been a nautical treasure map, rolled into a leather scroll holder. After much deliberation, she ordered a Strawberry Blush, which turned out to be fresh strawberries muddled with vodka and Grand Marnier and topped with ginger ginseng. A few sips later, everything was starting to look and feel brighter. Although she was alone in the room, she suddenly felt an unexpected sense of adventure and power. So it was a slightly inebriated Charlie who climbed back up the stairs to meet her friend.
    â€˜How did you get on?’ Charlie asked.
    â€˜He confirmed that I’m physically able to conceive. He thinks we’re trying too hard and that I’m wound up about it. He seems to think it’ll happen once we stop overthinking it,’ Mercedes replied with a smile. ‘I guess we’ll have to keep trying. I hope Ryan’s still got the energy now he’s been promoted. Anyway, enough talk of babies for the moment. I feel like celebrating my good news so let’s enjoy ourselves. What do you think of this place?’
    â€˜Amazing. I feel like I’ve been transported to another country.’
    â€˜That’s the intention. Have you seen the menu?’
    â€˜I’ve seen and sampled from the drinks menu. I could drink another three of those bad boys,’ she said, pointing to her now empty glass.
    â€˜I thought you were looking jolly relaxed. Bought anything nice?’
    â€˜No. It was frantic and I couldn’t see anything I fancied. I even got a blister from trying to walk around excited tourists and frenzied shopaholics. They’re mad. They can’t help themselves. The second they see the word “sale” or “reduced” they herd towards the offering. There were bouncers at the exits of every high street store. I can’t imagine how much stuff must get stolen if they need bouncers. Or, maybe they’re actually there to protect the staff from crazy shoppers.’
    A waiter approached with menus, as thoughtfully presented as the drinks parchment, glued into the pages of old leather-bound books. Charlie read the starter choices and looked up horrified.
    â€˜You’re kidding. This can’t be for real.’
    Mercedes was watching her friend’s face and chuckled. ‘This is my first Carpe Diem challenge. I got the idea from I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! I can’t afford to send you to a jungle, or navigate the bush myself in my wheelchair but I can try to give us both a similar experience right here. I’m in charge of what we choose and eat. This is going to be huge fun. Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to eat chocolate-covered scorpions or bug salad?’
    â€˜No, I can’t say I have.’
    â€˜Now’s your opportunity. We’re going to have our very own jungle bush tucker trial and I’m taking photos of every dish you sample. This’ll be the beginning of a new, more adventurous Charlie.’
    Charlie shook her head in disbelief. ‘This menu is outrageous,’ she commented. ‘I wonder what, exactly, was in that Strawberry Blush I drank. I hope it wasn’t something too gruesome. What shall we go for?’
    â€˜I ordered when I booked us the table and requested some of the dishes they normally serve on the evening à la carte menu. I wanted it to be even more exciting, so I’ve gone for zhug marinaded kangaroo skewer, spicy crocodile bites, Burmese Embrace, and a Serengeti Strut, with a side order of love bug salad and a sprinkle of weaver ants,’ Mercedes announced. ‘Don’t pull that face. They’re mighty nutritious. Kangaroo, crocodile, wildebeest and ostrich are extremely low in fat and cholesterol and therefore provide great alternatives to beef and lamb and they’re a