Page 100 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘It’s only recently we’ve been able to scale up our operation here. We were making everything in our kitchen for the first couple of years, but now the business is growing we’ve been able to take the leap and invest in all this,’ he said, gesturing to the processing tanks and packaging machines.
‘What kind of cheeses do you make?’
‘We’ve got quite a big selection for a small farm; all the milk comes from the farm, we’ve got sheep, cows and goats, and every step in the process happens right here.’
‘That’s so impressive.’
‘I’ve set up our most popular choices for you to taste and I’ve included some of our regional ones, like the Blossom Heath Blue and the Sussex Smoked,’ said Nathan, pointing towards the biggest mound of cheese Tori had ever seen.
‘Ooh, can I try this first?’ said Tori, picking up a cocktail stick loaded with Blossom Heath Blue and popping it in her mouth. ‘Oh wow, that’s gorgeous,’ she said, closing her eyes. ‘It’s so creamy. I love it! Definitely one for the café!’
‘Excellent. Let me get you a bottle of water and feel free to just work your way through the tasting board.’
Tori spent a heavenly half hour sampling all the cheeses and chatting to Nathan. He’d lived on the farm all his life and had started making cheese when his father needed help diversifying the business. He’d been the driving force behind the cheese production, and it had been such a success, he was hoping to open a shop on site to sell direct to the public. Tori loved the flavours, the sustainable farming ethos and the great wholesale prices, so she decided to place a regular order for six cheeses to be delivered to the Cosy Cat weekly.
‘These are going to be so delicious in our Blossom Heath Ploughman’s. Do you have any leaflets at all? I’d happily put some in the café if you like and I can certainly tell peopleabout the shop when it opens. I’m so glad Jake put us in touch,’ said Tori.
‘That would be great. Actually, Rose is up here later this week on a school trip with her class. I’m going to show them how to make our ricotta.’
‘Oh, that sounds like fun, and I bet their parents will want to try your Blue as well.’
‘That’s the plan,’ laughed Nathan. ‘I’ll see you Monday with your first delivery.’
Tori was glad the café was a bit quieter than usual for a Friday afternoon when she finally got back from the farm, full to the brim with cheese, and she was able to spend some time playing with the cats and thinking about what she wanted to say to Ryan that evening. Norris sensed that she was out of sorts and spent most of the afternoon following her around as she wiped down tables, reorganized the cutlery drawer and put fresh flowers on all the tables in readiness for the weekend rush.
‘Honestly, Norris, I can’t get rid of you this afternoon, can I?’ she said, scooping him into her arms and, as she settled down in one of the chairs by the window, she saw Rose approaching the café and got up to let her in.
‘Tori! I’ve just heard. How are you?’ she said, hugging her friend close.
‘Oh, you know, how are you supposed to be when your ex flies halfway across the world to win you back on the same night you’ve snogged the face off the local firefighter?’ she laughed bitterly.
‘Seriously?’
‘Afraid so.’
‘On the plus side, it sounds like the date with Leo went well? Do you want to talk about it?’
‘Which part?’
‘Any of it? None of it? Or we could just bitch about Violet if that will cheer you up?’ Rose laughed.
‘Grab a seat and I’ll get us some coffee,’ said Tori.
‘Ooh, I don’t suppose you’ve got cake?’
‘Always,’ said Tori, returning with a tray of coffees and lemon drizzle cake. ‘Here we go. Help yourself. So, I’m guessing everyone knows Ryan’s back then?’
‘Pretty much. I just saw Kate; Maggie told her. You know what this place is like.’
‘Nothing stays private for longer than twenty-four hours!’
‘Exactly. Before I forget, Kate wanted to come and see you too, but she had to take Lily swimming. She said to call if you need her, though.’
‘Sorry, I was going to message you both when I got home tonight to fill you in.’
‘So, what did he have to say for himself?’ asked Rose, stirring sugar into her coffee.
‘Ryan?’ Rose nodded. ‘Not much so far. To be fair, I haven’t given him much of a chance to.’
