Jedda leaned forward and whispered in my ear. ‘That’s Gemma Emerson-Dobson,’ she explained as the tall woman—who didn’t need a wig as she had long, straight blonde hair anyway—continued on to a table in front of us along with a weedy kind of man who didn’t look anything like Steve Irwin, despite the fact he was dressed in the iconic khaki shirt and shorts. ‘And her husband Wayne.’

‘The Emersons always get that table because they’re the major sponsor of trivia night,’ Gail told me.

‘They’re the major sponsors of anything and everything that happens in the Point,’ Cassie added.

A broad-shouldered man, who took up a lot of space and looked to be in his late sixties, and a gorgeous but much younger woman joined the couple at the table. They both wore elaborate, expensive-looking lobster costumes. The others informed me this was Stephen Emerson—owner and CEO of The Lobster Factory, which had been in his family for generations—and his Thai wife, Apinya, who was only a year older than his daughter.

‘What happened to his first wife?’ I asked.

Gail shook her head. ‘Such a tragedy—Bonnie died when the kids were only young. She was a gorgeous soul—we were great friends and I miss her dearly.’

‘That’s awful.’ My heart went out to Dan and his siblings.

‘My parents have a picture that she painted of them hanging in our hallway,’ Cassie said. ‘It’s a masterpiece. It’s almost like she knew things about them they didn’t even know about themselves. It’s hard to explain.’

‘Oh, yes.’ Gail nodded and her eyes grew a little misty. ‘Bonnie had such talent. I’ve never seen anyone paint the way she did. It was like with each brushstroke she peeled back a layer of the person.’

As they discussed this tragedy, I learnt more about the Emerson empire. Stephen still had a big hand in the business, but his oldest son now managed the export of live lobsters around the world and Gemma their fleet of fishing vessels and crew. Meanwhile, another couple and two teenage children appeared at their table. Cassie informed me this was Benjamin Emerson (the eldest son) and the teenagers belonged to him and his wife, Heaven. Ben had come as Crocodile Dundee and Heaven was clearly dressed as the ditsy journalist from the movie.

‘Heaven!’ Gail sniggered. ‘Apparently her parents were hippies.’ She was very straitlaced and clearly didn’t approve.

‘Why isn’t Dan sitting with them?’ I asked, realising there weren’t any spare seats at the table.

‘He got pushed aside when Apinya arrived and Heaven started making the teenagers tag along. They’re home-schooled but she doesn’t trust them home alone and they reckon they’re too old for a babysitter,’ Jedda said, then nodded towards a table much nearer the back. ‘Dan’s over there with his mates from the Island Progress Association.’