Page 10 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘But…’
‘It doesn’t have to be now,’ Joyce added quickly. ‘Whenever you’re ready, the offer’s there.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Tori, blowing her nose hard. She paused and looked up. ‘Listen, after everything with Ryan, I’m just not sure what my plans are now I’m back. I don’t know what I’ll do…’
‘It’s fine, love,’ said Joyce, taking Tori’s hand in hers. ‘You don’t need to start mapping out your entire future today now, do you?’
‘I guess not.’
‘Exactly. There’s no rush for you to decide what’s next, is there? Blossom Heath isn’t going anywhere and neither am I.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Tori, her shoulders relaxing.
Joyce looked around the living room of the show home, her eyes narrowed. ‘You know, after all the hype over this new development, I can’t see what all the fuss is about personally. This house is bland, if you ask me. You may as well just move into Ikea.’
‘Do you know what? I completely agree,’ Tori replied, patting her mum’s hand and wiping away the remainder of her tears. ‘When I’m ready to live on my own, I want something with a bit more character.’
‘Maybe something with an inglenook fireplace and a few oak beams?’
‘And stairs that creak when you walk up them.’
‘Sounds perfect,’ Joyce agreed. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here, shall we?’
‘Let’s,’ said Tori, standing up and pulling Joyce off the sofa with a heave.
‘I can tell you one thing, though,’ said Joyce as they walked out of the front door, ‘I don’t think Dan’s going to be best pleased about losing out on his commission. Do you?’
Tori laughed.
‘No, well, we’d better break it to him gently on the way out,’ Tori replied.
‘Or we could just make a run for it?’ said Joyce with a conspiratorial wink.
‘Mum!’ said Tori, putting her hands on her hips. ‘I’mshockedthat you would even suggest such a thing…’ She paused. ‘Let’s do it!’
Giggling, Tori and Joyce clasped hands and made a runfor the car, ducking beneath the window of the sales office to escape unseen. As Joyce started the Toyota’s ignition to make their getaway, Tori saw Dan look up from his desk. What would he think of them now they’d done a runner? She smiled and realized that she didn’t really care.
Chapter 5
As Tori lay in bed the next morning, she felt as though a huge weight had been lifted.She’d done it. She’d told her mum about Ryan and, just as Rose had known she would, her mum had been there to support her. Tori sat up in bed and reached across the bedside table to find her phone. She typed out a message to Rose.I’ve told Mum about Ryan. Thanks for your advice and being there when I needed to talk. If you’re around today, there’s a mocha with your name on it at the Cosy Cup xx
Tori looked down at the foot of her bed. Where was Ernie? She could always rely on him being curled up there every morning, even after she’d been away travelling. How odd. Tori pulled on her jeans and a T-shirt and headed downstairs.
‘Morning, Mum. Have you seen Ernie?’ she asked.
‘Now you mention it, no. I don’t think he’s been in yet.’
‘Weird. He doesn’t usually stay out all night these days, does he?’ said Tori.
‘Not usually. He’s probably just out getting up to mischief somewhere. He’ll turn up,’ Joyce replied.
‘I hope so.’
‘I’m heading next door to open up,’ said Joyce, grabbing the keys to the café.
‘I’m going to have some cereal first; I don’t fancy toast this morning,’ said Tori, filling a bowl with cornflakes. Before she poured in the milk, Tori stopped and picked up the box of dried cat food next to the bread bin and opened the back door. ‘Ernie! Ernie!’ she called, shaking the box of food. ‘Ernie, breakfast!’ She stood at the door for a few minutes shaking the box and calling Ernie’s name. ‘Where are you, little man?’ she wondered, closing the door. As she poured milk over her cereal, she hoped that, whatever Ernie was up to, he hadn’t got himself into any trouble.
Tuesday morning at the Cosy Cup flew by, and before Tori knew it, it was already twelve thirty. She was just catching her breath, when a petite brunette woman, dressed in designer clothes, approached the counter.
