Page 112 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Mason’s a sensible lad; I don’t think he’d have asked unless his mum had said he could get a cat, to be honest. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Daisy.’
‘Me too.’
As Tori walked along the corridor from Rose’s classroom, she felt proud of what she’d achieved today, and she felt more determined than ever to make the Cosy Cat a success. And if Daisy had found a home because she’d visited the school, well, that really would be the icing on the cupcake.
Chapter 33
Feeling buoyed by the excitement of her visit to the school, Tori spent some time updating the social media accounts and replying to comments on her posts. Despite being a relative Instagram newbie, she had got the hang of it pretty quickly, with a little help from Jess, and she was amazed at how fast the Cosy Cat’s account was racking up followers.
‘You okay, love?’ asked Joyce, as she came out of the kitchen. ‘You look deep in thought.’
‘Sorry, Mum, I’m just looking at our Instagram,’ said Tori, showing her mum her phone. ‘We’ve got nearly three thousand followers already and I’ve only had the account open a few weeks.’
‘Is that good?’
‘Well, yeah, I think so – all the comments are really positive. People seem to love the work we’re doing with the rescue, lots of people saying they’re going to check out their local adoption centres too, and look, there’s even a comment from Millie Martin, and she’s followed us too!’
‘Ah, you should be so proud of yourself, love,’ said Joyce, taking a closer look at Tori’s phone. ‘Who’s Millie Martin when she’s at home?’
‘She’s an influencer, Mum. She was on a reality dating show last summer, and she’s all over Instagram. Look at what she’s written.Wow! Love the work you’re doing to support pet adoption. I’ll have to pop by when I’m next in Sussex.Do you think she would, though?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
‘But she’s proper Insta famous, Mum. Would she really comehere?’
‘Why not ask her?’
‘Ask her?’
‘Why not?’
‘She’s probably really busy… she wouldn’t come to Blossom Heath… would she?’ Tori picked at her cuticles. Could she really just send Millie Martin a message inviting her to the Cosy Cat? Surely she’d never get a reply. But what harm was there in asking? Tori took a deep breath and typed out a message.Thanks so much, Millie. The cats would love to meet you xxShe hit send and shook out her hands.
‘Got to be worth a try, love,’ said Joyce encouragingly. ‘Oh, I nearly forgot. Jess dropped off the jute bags, mugs and keyrings you asked her to order,’ she continued, pulling a box out from behind the counter.
‘Wow, these look amazing,’ said Tori. ‘I hope they sell okay.’
‘I’ll price them up now and put them on display on thosehooks the carpenter put up. I think they’ll look great there, right next to the till. Everything’s really coming together, isn’t it?’
‘What about Ryan?’ said Tori, slumping down on to the counter. ‘I’ve got no idea what I’m going to do about him. I haven’t heard from him since we met at the pub last Friday.’
‘Well, I can’t tell you what to do, but you’ve got good instincts, so listen to them – you’ll make the decision that’s right for you.’
‘But what if I get it wrong? What if Ryan lets me down again?’
‘Well, he might,’ said Joyce, taking Tori’s hand. ‘But all you can do is follow your heart. Things don’t always work out the way we’d like them to, but none of us have a crystal ball, love.’
‘I don’t doubt his feelings; what worries me is that he’s only saying he’s ready to settle down because he knows that’s what I want. I need to be with someone who wants the same things as me, who wants to build a future together and I’m not sure he does,’ Tori said, mustering a weak smile.
‘Oh love, I know it’s a difficult decision but it’s one only you can make.’
‘I know, I just hope I get it right.’
‘Why don’t we get off home? I’m nearly done in the kitchen, so you just need to tidy up out here. The yoga club had me rushed off my feet while you were at the school; I still don’t think I’ve got the hang of those smoothies, to behonest,’ said Joyce with a sigh. ‘They’re so popular, though; the new additions to the menu are going down a storm and the regulars love that we’ve kept all the old favourites.
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘How about we treat ourselves to fish and chips for tea?’
