Page 41 of One Golden Summer

Yes, something had definitely changed.

“Did you watch the parade?” Kirsty asked.

Ginger nodded. “Caught it from the start. I loved it, especially the people dressed as oysters.”

“I dunno,” Saffron said. “My favourites were the crabs right at the end. Showed a bit of originality.”

Kirsty’s skin tingled. “Mine, too.” She stared at Saffron. This was getting more difficult by the day, wasn’t it?

Saffron broke their stare. She pushed back her chair and got up, rubbing her hands. “Oysters!” she said. “It’s the Oyster Festival, so I’m going to get some for the table.” She glanced at Kirsty. “Apart from you, I know you hate them.” She pulled on the peak of her cap, glancing around. Nobody was taking the slightest bit of notice of her. Was she missing the attention? Kirsty would love to know.

“Our Kirsty is the opposite of an oyster lover,” her dad confirmed.

Kirsty held up a hand. “I might try one this year, actually.”Really, Kirsty? Trying to impress a girl?

Kirsty glanced at her mum, who was giving her the type of knowing smile that told Kirsty she knew exactly what she was doing. She might as well have climbed on top of the table and done a tap dance, while singing “I knew I was right!”

“You hate oysters.” Helena gave her a pointed look.

“Tastes change.” Kirsty took a gulp of her fizz, steeling her nerves. Would she be able to follow through? She didn’t want to think about it. She glanced over at Saffron as she walked to the café. Yep, she still looked good enough to eat.

Saffron arrived back moments later with a huge steel bowl filled with ice, the shellfish sat on top. “I couldn’t work out the maths, so I just went for a dozen.” She glanced around the table. “Two each, right?” Her gaze landed on Kirsty. “If you only want to eat one, I’ll have your second one.”

“And they say chivalry is dead,” deadpanned Ginger.

The whole table grabbed an oyster in its shell, adding fresh lemon, vinegar, or both.

Kirsty gulped. Now that it was in her hand, she wasn’t feeling so brave. She shook the shell left, then right. The oyster wobbled. Nausea swept through her.

“Look at me!” Helena held up her phone.

Kirsty gave her an unsure grin.

Helena took a couple of shots of Kirsty, then a few group shots, making everyone scrunch up together, before grabbing her oyster.

“Ready?” Dad said. “After three, everyone down the hatch.” He nodded at Kirsty as he spoke. “One, two, three!”

She didn’t think about it. Just eyeballed the oyster, held her breath, and tipped back her head.

The slimy blob slid into her mouth.

She was not going to spit it out.

Kirsty wrinkled her face, chewed once, twice, and swallowed. She took a deep breath. Then another.

She’d done it!

The whole table was looking at her.

She gave them a thumbs up. She wasn’t taking a chance on speaking just yet.

“I can’t believe it! The effect you have on her, Saffron!” Mum’s tone was incredulous.

If Kirsty wasn’t trying so hard to control her breathing and not be sick, she might have kicked Mum under the table. She reached over and gulped the rest of her fizz. No adverse effects. She was amazed.

The rest of the table ate their second oyster, and Saffron her third. Then Saffron jumped up again. “Shall I get more drinks?”

“Just a Coke for me.” Ginger checked her watch. “It’s still only 5.30.”