The soldier started his new job yesterday… he hates everyone but likes both people he works with already so they must be spectacular. Er… he doesn’t actually hate everyone, he just wants nothing to do with them but in whatever case there was talk of going to an Italian restaurant. He’s new to town, see.

“Yeah, I told them about you. I said my girlfriend is Italian and she’s loud. She’s really loud and she’s my taster.”

“Taster?” I asked.

“Yeah. Like those mafia guys who have someone taste their food so they don’t get poisoned?”

I nodded.

“Yeah, she’s my taster so whatever we’re going to eat she’ll try it and let me know if it is good Italian food or not…”

He is already operating, can you tell? I like it. I am going to meet these people and no one is going to expect my voice not to carry across the room - What a relief!