Me-Before-You-by-Jojo-Moyes

fears at all that I was going to order myself whatever I fancied on the menu –
retro roast duck, or otherwise.
‘You like going out to eat, Nathan?’ I said.
‘I’m more of a beer and takeaway man myself,’ Nathan said. ‘Happy to come
today, though.’
‘When did you last go out for a meal, Will?’ I said.
He and Nathan looked at each other. ‘Not while I’ve been there,’ Nathan said.
‘Strangely, I’m not overly fond of being spoon-fed in front of strangers.’
‘Then we’ll get a table where we can face you away from the room,’ I said. I
had anticipated this one. ‘And if there are any celebrities there, that will be your
loss.’
‘Because celebrities are thick on the ground at a muddy minor racecourse in
March.’
‘You’re not going to spoil this for me, Will Traynor,’ I said, as the lift doors
opened. ‘The last time I ate out anywhere was a birthday party for four-year-olds
at Hailsbury’s only indoor bowling alley, and there wasn’t a thing there that
wasn’t covered in batter. Including the children.’
We wheeled our way along the carpeted corridor. The restaurant ran along one
side, behind a glass wall, and I could see there were plenty of free tables. My
stomach began to rumble in anticipation.
‘Hello,’ I said, stepping up to the reception area. ‘I’d like a table for three,
please.’ Please don’t look at Will, I told the woman silently. Don’t make him feel
awkward. It’s important that he enjoys this.
‘Badge, please,’ she said.
‘Sorry?’
‘Your Premier Area badge?’
I looked at her blankly.
‘This restaurant is for Premier badge holders only.’
I glanced behind me at Will and Nathan. They couldn’t hear me, but stood,
expectantly, waiting. Nathan was helping remove Will’s coat.
‘Um … I didn’t know we couldn’t eat anywhere we wanted. We have the blue
badges.’
She smiled. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Only Premier badge holders. It does say so on
all our promotional material.’