A city in Redwoodshire, approximately thirty minutes from York. Enclosed by well-preserved medieval walls, the old city contains a grand castle, an ancient university, and a Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline. Its main thoroughfares are wide and ornate, built to impress — while the backstreets remember everything.

One of Redwood's older districts. Rain-slick cobblestones, flickering shop signs, and the sense that everyone here is chasing something. Home to the Royal Exgate Arcade and the night market. Not the rich part of Redwood — but alive in all the ways that matter.

Redwood's financial district. Stately stone buildings housing banks, law firms, and institutions. Resembles Victorian London in character — it has never chased the skyline. It values permanence over ambition, at least in appearance.

The finest district in Redwood.

A covered arcade in the heart of Exgate, sheltered under an iron-and-glass roof. Houses vintage shops, gold watch sellers, neon cafés, tailors, and independents — a mix of old money and new dreams. Its glow is a constant in Exgate's streetscape.

A pizza restaurant opened by Vincent Miles on 11 May 2002, occupying the former premises of Mrs. Halberd on Exgate's backstreets. Half-finished and held together by determination and misplaced optimism. Distinguished in its first week by an accidentally charred crust that became the house signature.

A natural park to the east of Redwood. Damp benches, low mist, the hum of distant traffic. The kind of place where things feel inevitable. Site of the first arrangement between Vincent Miles and Mr. Hartley.

A street in Redwood's professional quarter, home to several law offices.

Former council worker turned pizza chef and entrepreneur. Opened Brick & Basil in Exgate in May 2002 on little more than a loan, an old oven, and stubbornness. Warm, grounded, and quietly persistent. His signature dish was an accident. His best decisions usually are.

Vincent's partner and co-founder of Brick & Basil in all but name. Calm and sharp-eyed, she tends to observe before speaking. The practical counterweight to Vincent's idealism. Deeply protective without ever being controlling.

Daughter of Vincent and Emily Miles, born May 2002.

Operates under Hartley & Co — Distribution, Property, Sourcing. Mid-forties, neatly dressed, calm and sharp. Approached Vincent Miles the morning after Brick & Basil's first review. Speaks in the language of goodwill while negotiating percentages. Never blinks and always knows more than he says.

Food writer for the Redwood Courier. Arrived on Brick & Basil's opening night, ordered the accidentally burnt margherita, and called it "authentic." His review was the first domino.

A management company under which Vincent Miles oversees his growing portfolio of food and business ventures. Modest in presentation, efficient in practice.

Distribution, Property, Sourcing. No logo. A plain white card. Operates in the spaces between legitimate commerce — supplier networks, delivery routes, and arrangements that never quite need documenting.

11 May 2002. No ribbon, no speeches — just a handful of strangers, a warm oven, and the first pizza served from the stone. The Redwood Courier's food writer arrived that evening. The burnt margherita he ordered would be on the chalkboard the next morning as the Black Crust Special.

13 May 2002. A meeting between Vincent Miles and Mr. Hartley on a damp bench in the Woldspark. Ten percent was agreed. No handshake — just a folded note: "Deliveries begin Thursday. Don't ask who drives."

13 May 2002 — the same morning as the Woldspark Agreement. Vincent arrived at the hospital with a lukewarm coffee and the quiet certainty that things had to be done properly now.

An accidentally charred margherita served on opening night. The Redwood Courier called it "authentic." On the chalkboard the next morning. Became the most ordered item on the menu. Vincent will admit it was a mistake. He will not stop serving it.

The county surrounding the city of Redwood. Predominantly farmland and small hamlets, with the city at its centre steadily drawing political and economic weight away from York. Deep roots, a Victorian financial core, and an airport twenty-five minutes from the old walls.