Even though it was early January, The Wood Oven still had quite a number of people sitting inside. Nancy opened the door and strode right in.
‘A table for one?’ asked a smiling waiter, stepping forward to meet her.
He was young, early twenties at most, and dressed in black trousers and a brand-new white shirt that still had the crease marks from the packet. His name badge read: Toby.
‘No thanks,’ said Nancy. ‘I need to see Imogen Wood.’
This threw Toby. ‘Oh, right. Is she expecting you?’
‘She is not.’
‘Oh...OK. Could I take a name?’
‘Nancy Miller.’
He nodded and headed to the back of the restaurant and the door through to the kitchen. Nancy looked up, could see through the hatch to where the large stone pizza oven was glowing with red hot embers. She saw Imogen pull two pizzas out on a paddle and put them on plates. Then as she loaded up two more to go in, Nancy saw Toby come over to speak to her. He gestured towards the restaurant, said a few words.
Imogen stopped. Glanced up through the hatch. Then Nancy saw her shake her head and say something to Toby.
Toby came back. ‘I’m very sorry but Imogen is busy at the moment,’ he said as charmingly as he could.
‘You can tell Imogen that I don’t care if she is busy. I need to see her now.’
Toby paused. Thought of saying something but then changed his mind and headed back to the kitchen. Nancy watched: there was a more taut exchange between the two of them.
Then Toby reappeared, alone, more awkward now. ‘I’m sorry, but Imogen really is very busy.’ He took a small notepad from his pocket. ‘Perhaps if I could take a number—’
‘It’s OK,’ said Nancy. ‘I’ll just go and talk to her.’ She marched off towards the kitchen, Toby frantically following, asking her to wait. A few of the customers had noticed now and were raising curious heads.
Nancy saw Imogen look through the hatch and all of a sudden she abandoned her post at the pizza oven and headed towards the kitchen door. She intercepted Nancy just as she made it to the back of the restaurant.
‘You have no right to—’ started Imogen.
‘I have one thing to say to you,’ said Nancy, all her pent-up fury rising to the surface. ‘If Rosie touches Lara one more time, I swear to God, I will inflict the exact same injuries on you.’
The entire restaurant fell silent. Nancy turned on her heel and with everyone watching open-mouthed, she walked out.
8 January
RIPTON PRIMARY, YEAR 6
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
OMG, you guys, you have to be aware of the dreadful situation that happened at the restaurant tonight. Nancy Miller only went and stormed in, dealing out threats to Imogen. 21:01
Nicole Wilson, Bella’s mum
OMG, WHAT? 21:01
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
Yeah, said she was going to inflict injuries on poor Imogen. 21:01
Hannah Chapman, Jakob’s mum
No she didn’t. 21:02
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
