Gemotions

The review was pinned to the noticeboard in "The Golden Spoon's" kitchen. Sarah, the head chef, stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the words. "A culinary car crash." The critic's pronouncements rang in her ears.

A hot flush started at her neck and spread over her face. She felt a sharp throb behind her eyes. She hadn't even read the whole review; only glanced at the opening salvo. Her hands felt clumsy, useless.

She pushed past the line cooks, the sizzle of the grill and the chatter of the kitchen a dull roar. Sarah’s feet carried her to the back door, and out into the cool evening air. She breathed deeply, but the air did not seem to fill her lungs.