Lek managed a weak smile and Beou went off to make the drinks.
Beou returned, saying:
“Oh, I would not have trusted you on a motorbike taxi. Dear me!
You could hardly stand upright. No, Noi went off and found us a cab.
There were plenty on Beach Road. It wasn’t worth the risk for forty Baht.
Here are a few spoonfuls of rice and a cold boiled-egg. It’ll help soak up the alcohol and give your stomach something to work with. You know what you’re like with coffee on an empty stomach! It goes straight through you, burning its way through like molten lava.”
“OK, thanks, Beou. I know you’re right. It’s just… OK, OK, I’ll eat it. It’ll do me good. I know it will. Thanks. Did those sailors come back last night? Did you hear about them?”
“Mmmm, Noi told
