The Pocket Chef Chronicles

Her name was Bella, eight centimeters tall, bright-eyed, endlessly energetic and the only person alive who could calm Euan down during the dinner rush.

Every morning before shift, she followed the same ritual. She climbed up the sleeve of his crisp white chef’s coat, her tiny boots gripping the fabric as if it were a mountain trail. She’d poke her head out of the chest pocket, smooth her hair, and declare with dramatic confidence. “Alright, big guy. Let’s go feed the world.” Euan always smiled at that. It grounded him. Reminded him why he loved the chaos, why the heat and noise and pressure meant something. Today, however… the world was very hungry. The dinner rush hit like a tidal wave with no warning. One moment the kitchen hummed calmly, the next it exploded into noise. Pans clattered like cymbals, tickets poured from the printer like an endless ribbon, and waiters darted through the narrow aisles like panicked birds. Steam rose in thick clouds, curling around Euan’s head like dragon smoke. He was juggling six dishes at once—one hand stirring a sauce, another plating pasta, his mind tracking three timers and one burnt omelette someone had tried to slide past him unnoticed.

“Left side risotto!” Euan barked, his voice sharp but steady.

“Right side pasta—don’t drown it!”

“That steak is still mooing, back on the fire!”

Inside his pocket, Bella braced herself as he spun from station to station. Every sudden stop sent her swaying, one hand gripping the seam of the pocket, the other pressed to the wall like she was riding a runaway train. “Euan!” she shouted over the chaos. “You need to breathe!”. “No time to breathe!” he snapped, flipping a pan and reaching for salt. “You’ll season the air with panic instead of parsley!” He almost laughed—almost. But then a pot boiled over, splashing dangerously close to the floor. A young cook yelped as a plate wobbled in their hands. And from the other side of the kitchen came the dreaded call:

“Chef! Table five wants to change their entire order!”

Euan’s eye twitched.

Bella saw it immediately. Oh no. That twitch meant the spiral was coming. She climbed up to the edge of the pocket, steadying herself as the kitchen lurched around her. Tiny hands cupped her mouth like a megaphone, and she took a deep breath. “HEY!” she yelled. The voice was small, but the confidence was enormous. “EVERYBODY! My giant boyfriend needs three seconds of peace!” The kitchen froze. The clatter stopped mid-motion. A ladle hovered in the air. Steam drifted silently. Euan blinked, utterly stunned, as dozens of eyes locked onto the tiny figure standing proudly in his pocket. Bella planted her feet like a general addressing troops.

“Chef Euan,” she said firmly, tapping his chest with two fingers, “look at me.” He slowly lowered his gaze. “Breathe.” He hesitated. Then he inhaled deeply. Held it. Exhaled.

Once. Twice.

The tension melted from his shoulders. His grip loosened. His thoughts snapped back into place like knives returning to their rack. The kitchen unpaused.

But this time, it moved differently less frantic, more focused. Orders were called clearly. Hands moved with purpose. The rhythm returned, steady and strong.

Euan smirked down at his pocket. “Thanks, Bella.”

“Always,” she replied, settling back inside. “Now go finish that risotto. And maybe try not to run. I’m not wearing a seatbelt.” Service pushed on, intense but controlled. Plates flew out perfect. Sauces shimmered. The last ticket finally printed, curling quietly onto the rail. When it was over, the kitchen erupted into cheers. Another flawless service. Euan leaned against the counter, exhausted but smiling, and finally slipped off his jacket. He reached into the pocket gently, cupping Bella in his palm and setting her on the prep counter like something precious. “You were the real head chef tonight,” he said softly. She crossed her arms, hands on her hips, chin lifted. “I always am.”

They shared a warm smile, one big, one tiny, both equally tired, equally proud.

As the kitchen lights dimmed and silence settled in like a deep breath after a long day, Euan lifted Bella onto his shoulder. She leaned against his neck, watching the empty kitchen pass by as they walked out together.

Ready for whatever chaos tomorrow would bring.