"Yes, do you know her?"

"Yes, everyone knows her here. If I may inquire, what is the nature of your evening?"

Daniel hesitated to reveal what he had planned, but he sensed a potential ally. He smiled slyly up at the man. “Let's just say that I want to make this an evening that Amy will never forget."

The man chuckled and touched the side of his nose. “My pleasure then, sir. That was one of our finest ales, chilled?"

“Yes, please... ah, I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"Peter, sir. It will be my pleasure to serve you this evening. I shan't be long.”

Daniel settled in for the wait. Peter brought him a large glass of the best ale he had ever tasted. As soon as he had finished it, another had appeared. Soon the restaurant began to fill. Guests arrived and were seated professionally, and the dull sound of conversation filled the restaurant. Peter was joined by another waiter, but Peter remained waiting on Daniel.

Peter soon arrived with a menu selection. Daniel was shocked at the prices but hid it from his face. He picked a selection and Peter leaned in and suggested something else, at a slightly cheaper price, but with better taste. Daniel nodded and absently tore at the bread rolls placed before him.

Daniel's food had just arrived when Peter looked around the corner and caught his eye. He nodded to Daniel and disappeared. In moments, the abrasive voice of Amy stopped conversation in the restaurant.

"What do you mean our regular table is not available? That is outrageous! I demand we sit at our regular table at once."

Daniel couldn't hear the other side of the conversation.

“I don't care that they are already eating. Move them!"

"No mother, I will not behave. We've been coming here every Friday night for months. They know we want that table. Giving it to someone else is not an accident. They are slighting us. You are slighting us, aren't you, Peter? I know the owner, you know. I can have you dismissed."

"Very well, this once. I'll allow it. Peter, show us to our new table."

In moments, Peter led Mrs Albright and Amy around the corner and into the main dining room. Amy smiled and waved at people as if she hadn't just had a public meltdown. There was a splash of colour in her cheeks and Daniel thought it made her look nicer.

Amy paused at a central table and glared at the occupants. “And who might you two be?"

Mrs Evan standing behind Amy froze. “Amy!”

Amy ignored her and glared at the male sitting at the table. He rose with uncertainty and bowed slightly to Amy. "I'm a trader from the city, young miss. I trust this is your regular table my wife and I are sitting at?"

"You are indeed. Such cheek."

"And who might you be?" asked the man politely. Daniel admired his spine.

"Iam the daughter of the merchant who owns the Trading Post, I'll have you know!"

The man just nodded and sat down. "I see. Is that all? Please excuse my wife and I, we are having a most memorable meal in this small town. Not expected this far from the city."

Amy drew in a breath to say something more when her mother grabbed her upper arm and squeezed it tightly and hissed in her daughter's ear loud enough that everyone heard. "Shut your mouth, Amy. This is the man your father is meeting on the morrow. Now apologise and move along."

"I will not," huffed Amy and tore her arm away and moved over to the table Peter was waiting patiently beside. She disappeared behind a corner and was lost to Daniel's view.