{"id":435,"date":"2011-05-17T06:00:40","date_gmt":"2011-05-16T19:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/?p=435"},"modified":"2013-09-27T16:23:03","modified_gmt":"2013-09-27T23:23:03","slug":"an-unfortunate-meeting-and-okonomiyaki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/?p=435","title":{"rendered":"Season 2: Episode 12"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span>Willow cupped her gloved hands and blew on them to keep warm as she waited for her breakfast. It wasn\u2019t even winter yet but Melbourne was already experiencing what felt like arctic temperatures. It had been the wettest summer on record and now it was the coldest start to autumn the city had ever seen. Of course, Willow was no climate change specialist, but surely that meant something? She peered in through the small window of her favourite hole-in-the-wall caf\u00e9, looking expectantly for her coffee.<\/p>\n

It was the end of another long week and Willow was excited about the prospect of a relaxing weekend of doing not much at all: cooking, eating and curling up on the sofa with a good book. Bliss! Her job as a music teacher at an exclusive private school in Melbourne\u2019s inner south was rewarding, but did take a lot out of her. The last couple of weeks had been particularly difficult as she started to prepare the final year students for their exams. It was only May, but before they knew it the end of the school year would be upon them. She had learned the hard way that the more she pushed them now the fewer irritated teenagers and nagging parents she\u2019d have to deal with later. This was, of course, on top of the \u2018Carlo Incident\u2019, as it was now referred to, and the weird fight that Mia and Johnny seemed to be having that neither of them would admit to, but was affecting everyone.<\/p>\n

Yep, she definitely needed a low-key weekend.<\/p>\n

Willow rubbed her hands together again and stamped her feet, dreaming of the steaming hot caff\u00e8 latte that would soon be coming her way. The caf\u00e9 owner waved to her as he hauled a crate of milk to the side entrance, his breath forming thick clouds in the bitter morning air.<\/p>\n

\u201cCold enough for you?\u201d He called out, grinning.<\/p>\n

Willow laughed and nodded. She came here every morning before work to grab a quick breakfast that she ate on her walk to school. The tiny caf\u00e9 produced sensational coffee and it was not unusual to see a queue, sometimes fifteen people deep, waiting anxiously for their caffeine fix. They also served wonderful food, which was a lovely blend of Japanese and Australian culinary traditions, the owner having lived in Japan for many years when he was younger. This morning, Willow had succumbed to the delicious-looking okonomiyaki to accompany her usual, strong caff\u00e8 latte. Her mouth watered as she watched the sweet miso and mayonnaise being drizzled over the savoury pancake.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

She walked briskly towards the school, nibbling on the corner of her breakfast, conscious that she had a meeting in a few minutes with the principal. She was about to cross the small side street behind the secondary school when a dark green Aston Martin screamed around the corner, nearly hitting her. She fell backwards onto the nature strip as the car\u2019s horn blared and tyres screeched. Shaking from the near-miss, she staggered to her feet and noticed the car reversing. It drew level with her and the window silently opened a couple of inches.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re OK?\u201d a voice enquired. Whoever it was, they didn\u2019t sound particularly concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should watch where you\u2019re going,\u201d Willow said irritably. She could feel a bruise forming on her elbow as she tenderly rubbed her arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you should learn to look both ways before you cross the road,\u201d the driver responded, his voice retaining the same casual nonchalance.<\/p>\n

Fuming, Willow peered inside, but couldn\u2019t see the driver\u2019s face. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be driving like a maniac. There is a school around here. What if you hit one of the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n

This silenced him momentarily. \u201cPoint taken.\u00a0 I\u2019ll drive more carefully and you can head over to that school and perhaps get some lessons in how to cross the road. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she could reply, he had screeched off again. Willow shook her head in frustration.<\/p>\n

It really just confirms what I already know<\/i>, she thought to herself. All men are complete and utter idiots!<\/i><\/p>\n

She surveyed the carnage around her. Coffee was dripping down the front of her coat and the okonomiyaki \u2013 that she had been so looking forward to finishing \u2013 had sailed gracefully though the air, landing face-down on the footpath. Her bag had upended and sheet music was fluttering gently along the street. Brushing the grass off her tailored trousers, Willow glanced at her watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cShit!\u201d<\/p>\n

She was already late. She scooped up her bag and started chasing runaway papers down the road.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

Willow burst into the principal\u2019s office, still trying to rub the coffee stain off the front of her winter coat. \u201cGail, I\u2019m so sorry that I\u2019m late but\u2026\u201d She stopped mid-sentence when she saw they had company.<\/p>\n

\u201cWillow. This is Mr Fortescue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow took in the gentleman before her. He was tall, well-dressed and certainly not unattractive. Not her type, of course. He had a sharp, arrogant look about him. Even though she\u2019d never met him before, the name was well known to her. Around the school, some spoke of him with hallowed reverence because he\u2019d donated a lot of money for various buildings over the years. Most recently his philanthropy extended to the new music conservatory. Other teachers had told Willow to be wary of him. Apparently he was over-protective of his son, Samuel, and liked to contribute more than his two cents\u2019 worth when it came to his offspring\u2019s education.<\/p>\n

Mr Fortescue held out his hand, a bemused expression on his face. \u201cCall me Robert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow started. She\u2019d recognise that voice anywhere.<\/p>\n

Green Aston Martin!<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Fortescue would like to speak to you about his son\u2019s performance last term,\u201d said Gail warily, fully aware that keeping the peace between these two might not be the easiest task.<\/p>\n

Robert Fortescue cleared his throat. \u201cSamuel didn\u2019t do particularly well in your subject.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow regarded him cautiously. Samuel was a good kid but, unfortunately, tone deaf and far more interested in science and maths than music.<\/p>\n

\u201cSam doesn\u2019t seem to be particularly keen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He interrupted her. \u201cHe\u2019ll be taking music as an elective next year and I\u2019m expecting him to do a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here we go<\/i>, thought Willow, puffing her chest out angrily. The bullying begins.<\/i><\/p>\n

Gail, who had got far in life with her ability to nip tension in the bud before it erupted, stepped between the pair. \u201cPerhaps, Robert, if that is the case then you might consider a tutor for Samuel. I have some excellent recommendations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert held up his hand, a twinkle in his eye. \u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary, Gail. I\u2019m sure that Willow would be happy to tutor him a few afternoons a week. For an additional fee, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

First, he\u2019d ruined her breakfast and now he was demanding she give up her spare time for his son? Willow exploded. \u201cI absolutely would not be happy to do that, you arrogant bastard!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a tense silence in the room. Willow cursed herself inwardly, not so much for the yelling but for potentially causing Gail any trouble. She suspected that no one ever spoke that way to Robert Fortescue.<\/p>\n

You couldn\u2019t just have said \u2018no thank-you\u2019?<\/i> she chided herself silently.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, he laughed. \u201cI certainly didn\u2019t expect to elicit that response! Gail, you\u2019ve got a fiery one here.\u201d He glanced at his limited edition Breitling wristwatch. \u201cI have to go. I won\u2019t forget this though, Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook hands with Gail and let his gaze fall on Willow momentarily, savouring her like one would a fine work of art, before letting himself out of the room.<\/p>\n

Willow turned to face Gail, apologetic.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry I shouldn\u2019t have said that. But you can\u2019t expect me to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Gail shook her head. \u201cI know, Willow, I know. But his wife was a musician before she died. I suspect he wants to keep that alive through Sam.\u201d She sighed. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll talk to him and sort it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

Willow carefully checked the road for oncoming Aston Martins before crossing. She noticed a miso-coloured stain on the pavement where her breakfast had come to its unfortunate end. She had been annoyed \u2013 and hungry \u2013 all day thinking about her interaction with Robert Fortescue. Just the mention of his name made her blood boil!<\/p>\n

\u201cWillow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and was horrified to see the green Aston Martin again. It stopped and Robert got out. She was once again astonished by his commanding presence. She stood up straight and put her hands in her pockets so he wouldn\u2019t see them shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Fortescue\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCall me Robert.\u201d He smiled, engagingly.<\/p>\n

She glared at him. \u201cMr Fortescue. If you would like to make an appointment to discuss this further, then please do so through the school. Although, I can tell you now there is no way that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He interrupted her. \u201cHave dinner with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow was startled \u2013 certainly not what she had expected him to say. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to get words of protest out, but none came. She looked like a goldfish gasping for air.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m heading out of town for a while. When I get back, I\u2019ll call you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she could even respond he was back in his car and had driven off. Willow clenched her fists inside her jacket. What unbelievable\u2026 arrogance! Muttering aloud in the direction of the retreating vehicle she said, \u201cI can promise you this, Robert Fortescue. I will never, ever<\/i><\/b> go on a date with you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Willow cupped her gloved hands and blew on them to keep warm as she waited for her breakfast. It wasn\u2019t even winter yet but Melbourne was already experiencing what felt like arctic temperatures. It had been the wettest summer on record and now it was the coldest start to autumn the city had ever seen. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[198],"tags":[16,46,56,129,172],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=435"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1203,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions\/1203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}