Page 108 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Yes, it has to be Violet Davenport,’ agreed Maggie. She watched the faces of the two officers closely for any sign of recognition at hearing Violet’s name.
‘Like I said—’ said John.
‘Honestly, don’t worry about it,’ said Tori, shrugging.
‘I’d best be getting back to the surgery,’ said Grace. ‘Can I grab a soy latte before I go?’
‘Of course, and thanks for coming over to help – I really appreciate it,’ said Tori, ‘and this one’s on the house.’
‘And we should be getting off too, thanks,’ said Adam, as Tori passed him a takeaway cup. ‘Sorry for any inconvenience today’s visit may have caused,’ he continued.
Tori let the officers out and returned to the counter.
‘Well, I wasn’t expecting that today,’ said Joyce, exhaling deeply. ‘Do you really think Violet’s behind it?’
‘I’d bet my pension on it,’ said Jean. ‘Once Violet takes against you, you’d better watch out.’
‘But seriously, I don’t understand why she’s got it in for me? What have I ever done to her?’ Tori felt a wave of despondency wash over her. She’d put her heart and soul into the Cosy Cat, done everything she possibly could to make the business a success, but for some reason, Violet was against her, wanting them to fail. Her recent showdown on Violet’s doorstep wasn’t likely to have improved the situation either.
‘Oh Tori, don’t worry about Violet. We all love coming here, you’ve done a great job, the cats are happy, and you should be so proud of yourself. Ignore her, she’s not worth it,’ said Cora, putting an arm around her.
‘Thanks Cora, that’s really kind of you,’ said Tori.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ said Jean, nodding approvingly at Cora. ‘I don’t think we’ve been introduced – I’m Jean, Jean Hargreaves.’
‘Cora Tomlinson,’ Cora replied. ‘I’ve not been in the village long, but I can already see you’ve got some wonderful friends here, Tori.’
‘Cora’s right,’ agreed Maggie. ‘And this place is a credit to you and you’re doing your mum proud.’
‘Thanks, Mags,’ Tori sniffed.
‘Listen, love, you’ve had a rough couple of days. Why don’t you get on home and I’ll close up here,’ said Joyce.
‘But Mum…’
‘No arguments,’ said Jean. ‘If your mum needs any help, we can all pitch in, can’t we girls?’ Cora and Maggie nodded in agreement.
‘That’s settled then, love, off you go,’ said Joyce.
Knowing better than to try to argue with Jean once she’d made up her mind about something, Tori grabbed her bag and a slab of bread pudding to go. As she headed towards the door, she could hear Jean asking Cora to join her and Maggie, and suggesting that she go along to the next WI meeting. Tori smiled to herself. She had been touched at how quickly Jean and Cora had leapt to her defence today. Grace had dropped everything to support her. Clearly someone wasn’t a fan of what she was doing with the café, but with friends like Grace, Rose, Maggie, Cora and Jean in her corner, did it really matter?
Chapter 32
‘I still don’t know how you managed to talk me into this,’ muttered Tori, as Rose greeted her at Blossom Heath Primary School on Monday afternoon. Tori had Angel and Daisy with her, and she could hear both cats meowing indignantly, clearly unhappy at being away from the comfort of the café.
‘Thank yousomuch for doing this – you’re a star.’ Rose reached out a hand to take one of the carriers from Tori, who was struggling to get through the double doors.
‘You might change your tune if these two cause havoc,’ Tori laughed, as Mrs Connolly appeared from behind her office door to welcome them.
‘Ah, Tori, we’re so pleased you could join us today. I can’t tell you how much the children in Butterfly Class are looking forward to meeting the cats.’ Bertie, Mrs Connolly’s elderly chocolate Labrador, made a surprisingly speedy rush towards them but Mrs Connolly managed to stop him in his tracks. ‘No you don’t, Bertie my boy,’ she said, reaching down to grab his brown leather collar. ‘Those cats have got enoughto contend with today – they won’t welcome your unwanted attention. Honestly, every time I think Bertie’s ready to retire from school life, he proves me wrong by charging about the place like a puppy!’
‘He certainly looks full of beans today,’ agreed Rose.
‘Thanks for arranging this, Mrs Connolly. The cats are definitely going to be the main attraction; I’m not sure how interested the kids will be in hearing what I’ve got to say, to be honest…’ said Tori.
‘Not at all, they’re desperate to hear about what the cats do at night when the café’s closed, and the secret ingredients in your famous hot chocolate. And I have to say, I’m really interested as well. When Rose told me about the changes you’d made to your mum’s tearoom, I was really impressed. The young people we teach here need to know that there are opportunities for them in Blossom Heath; that they don’t have to leave the village to make something of themselves. Tell me, how did you come up with the idea of having cats there in the first place? It’s so unique.’
‘They’re really common in Asia; I went to loads of them while I was travelling and when Mum suggested turning the Cosy Cup into the Cosy Cat, I just knew it would work,’ Tori explained.
