1 Before NETBA: Before the North East Teenage Book Awards (NETBA) at the Centre for Life in Newcastle, some very funny things happened when we had gone for pizza with Mr Shields.

We asked Grace Coffey to recount what had happened:

“Well, Mr Shields asked me to go and get his salad. Since we were at Pizza Hut, to get salad you go around the salad bar. Mr Shields was too lazy to get up so he sent me to get his. Little did he know that he was expected to like spicy things. This is because when I was at the salad bar I went around and put everything in the bowl until it was spilling out. I then added lots and lots of hot sauce. I took it back to our table before realizing that I forgot three VERY important things: Coleslaw, jalapeños and extra hot sauce! I took it back to the salad bar and tipped three very large spoonfuls of jalapeños on top. Then I added coleslaw. Then came the extra hot sauce. I got the bottle and tipped it upside down until it was empty. Much to my disappointment it was all over my hands. I took it back to Mr Shields with it dripping down my arms. I then said, ‘I hope you like your starter!’ Unfortunately, Mr Shields liked hot things! Soon after this, my friend Ellie tasted a jalapeño thinking it was a pepper! I can’t imagine what the staff thought of us.”

Written and edited by Grace and Stephanie, Year 8.