The Punjabi Pappadum Page 9

  Catching on, Deadly linked arms and together they moved to the front of the stage and bowed. They hung for a moment, bodies buzzing with adrenalin, and felt the applause rolling towards them in waves. Then, as one, they turned and walked off.

  PER HEAD

  MAHARAJA’S BANQUET .......... $33.00

  Entrée

  Samosa, Burra Kebab, Onion Bhaji, Tandoori Chicken.

  Main Course

  Malai Kofta, Rogan Josh, Prawn Masala, Gost Vindaloo, Coconut Rice, Naan.

  Dessert

  Mango Kulfi.

  On the way home, the passengers switched cars and headed for the closing-down party at The Pappadum. The occupants, oblivious to the kilometres flying by, passed the time raving like lunatics, still heady from the post-performance high. The wrap was the same in both cars — Deadly had nailed it, big-time.

  Bringing up the rear, the reliable Morris, under Dexter’s instruction, took a quick pit stop at a highway stall just before the Longwood turn-off. In a flash he was back in the car with Ron and Travis heading towards town. The Morris turned left then right into Ferguson Street, which was jammed with cars.

  “Must be something on,” said Ron, squeezing the car in next to Theo’s beamer.

  All three bounced out of the Morris and saw the crowd spilling from the Pappadum’s front doors. At work on the front window stood Veejay, paintbrush in hand, finishing off a sign that said “OPEN FOR BUSINESS”.

  “This is what I call a party,” said Ron. “Half the town must be here.”

  Heads turned as someone in the crowd spotted them. Slowly Dexter led the others into the restaurant’s dining room where a fresh wave of support greeted them. Everyone was there — everyone that mattered anyway.

  Suddenly Dexter felt a hand on his shoulder followed by a whisper in his ear.

  “It’s an early call,” said Hugo, looking down at the roses tucked under Dexter’s arm. “But I reckon you’re in.”

  Across the room, Dexter saw her. He locked his eyes on her and pushed through the rowdy revellers … Nearly there.

  Indira moved towards him.

  “Roses,” she fluttered. “You really shouldn’t have.”

  “Oh, yes I should,” replied Dexter, continuing on.

  A few more steps and he was there. Up close his heart raced out of control then cut loose with an improvised drum solo.

  “These are for you,” he croaked.

  Sam took the roses and smiled. “Thanks Dexter, they’re my favourite. I hope I was okay up there today?”

  “Okay? Are you kidding? That was a five-wok performance you put in, Sam. And let me tell you, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

  First published 2003 by University of Queensland Press

  PO Box 6042, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia

  www.uqp.com.au

  © Robert Newton

  This book is copyright. Except for private study, research, criticism or reviews, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any foram or by any means without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.

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  Distributed in the USA and Canada by

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  This project has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data

  National Library of Australia

  Newtorn, Robert

  The Punjabi Pappadum Indian Restaurant

  For young adults.

  1. Restaurants - Fiction. 2. Boys - Fiction. 3. Fast food restaurants - Fiction. I. Title.

  A823.4

  ISBN 978 0 7022 3363 0 (pbk)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5859 6 (pdf)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5860 2 (epub)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5861 9 (kindle)