The talk turned to our work lives and we discovered that Siobhan was a teacher like me. Unlike me, however, she worked in a part of Dublin where many of her students were in need of firm guidance to keep them out of trouble. I taught at a Catholic school where the kids had fairly good manners and were only occasionally little ratbags. I admired her for undertaking what was clearly challenging work.

When Josh said he was a software developer, her response was hilarious. “Oh great, one of those super-smarty-pants people, and here I am still with a VCR in my front room.”

“You do not have a VCR,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

“I do! And when you come to Dublin to visit me—and you must—and when you do, you must stay ages and ages—you’ll see for yourself!” She punctuated her little speech with raised eyebrows and a sip from her drink. Josh laughed. I could tell he was falling for her as much as I was.

When the time came for Siobhan to meet Paddy, we saw her off with a kiss on the cheek from me and a hug from Josh. “Do everything I wouldn’t do,” I called out after her, as she strutted across the lobby. Her reply was a hearty laugh and a wave over her head.

“So that leaves us,” said Josh, leaning in and nuzzling my neck. It tickled, like the fish earlier in the day, and I shooed him away. He laughed good-naturedly, and I gave him a smile to let him know I was only kidding.

“Actually, it’s got to be time for dinner. I’m starving,” he said. “I found a sushi restaurant online that’s not too far. It’s got great reviews.”

“I would kill for some sushi.”

“Revenge for all those fish nibbling at you?”

“Something like that.”

*

When the taxi arrived at the restaurant and it turned out to be Morimoto Maui, I smacked Josh on the arm.

“Ow, what was that for?”

“You didn’t tell me we were coming to an Iron Chef’s restaurant!”

“Probably because I don’t even know what that means.” His confusion looked genuine.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll explain later, but we might not get in without a reservation.”

“Oh. I just picked the sushi place that got the best reviews.”

I couldn’t blame Josh. I could, however, be annoyed with myself. How had I missed that we were staying just down the road from a world-renowned sushi restaurant? The taxi driver drove into the parking lot, which was full—not a good sign. I paid him and we got out.

“I just realised it’s Friday night too,” said Josh. “I’m really sorry about not getting a reservation.”

“Don’t worry. I should have done my research.”

“Well, let’s just see if we can get in, okay?” I nodded, even though there was no way we were getting in.

We got in, but only by agreeing to sit at the sushi bar, squished together at the very end next to the door. Quite honestly, I would have agreed to sit in the parking lot if I got some world-famous sushi; I was ravenous. And did I mention the Morimoto was the executive chef?