Page 115 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
As he walked slowly up the road towards home, he saw Tinkerbell waiting to greet him at the end of the cul-de-sac. She ran towards him meowing as he approached. ‘Hey there, girl,’ he said, scooping her up with his free hand. She sniffed at the fish and chip wrapper with interest. ‘Fancy joining me for some cod and chips?’
Tori ate her supper in silence in front of the TV that evening. She couldn’t finish her cod; she’d lost her appetite. She pushed her plate to one side, deciding to save the fish as a treat for Ernie when he next appeared through the cat flap. She couldn’t stop thinking about seeing Leo at the fish and chip van. Even just a few moments with him were enough to stir up her feelings again and she couldn’t deny the way she felt about him. It was more than just aphysical attraction, it was something real, and she felt as though he was someone she could trust, someone she could build a future with. But did he feel the same? He’d been so laid-back when she told him about Ryan’s return, he didn’t seem to even care. What was it he’d said?I’m not going to get in the way.But there was something tonight, something in the way he’d looked at her… Should she go and see him? Tell him how she felt? Should she make the first move, even if she risked being rejected? She felt a wave of nausea wash over her at the thought. Her phone buzzed with another message from Ryan.Tori, can we meet tomorrow? I’ve got something I need to tell you xxShe typed out a reply.Meet me at the café at closing time.
The following evening, Ryan arrived at the Cosy Cat just as Tori was closing up. He was dressed smartly in black jeans and a grey, collared T-shirt and he was carrying a bouquet of pink roses.
‘Hi,’ he said nervously as she opened the door to let him in. ‘I got you these, I know they’re your favourite.’
‘Thanks, you shouldn’t have.’
‘Ah, there you are, Ryan. Tori mentioned you were picking her up,’ said Joyce, keeping her tone neutral.
‘Great to see you, Joyce,’ said Ryan, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Tori noticed her mum stiffen slightly.
‘Let me take those,’ said Joyce, reaching out a hand. ‘I’ll put them in some water,’ she said, disappearing through to the kitchen.
‘So, what’s the plan then? If we’re going to talk, I’d rather go somewhere else,’ said Tori.
‘I thought we could take a drive out to Hastings, go for a walk along the front? Get dinner somewhere?’
‘Dinner? I’m not really dressed for anything fancy,’ said Tori, looking down at the pale pink T-shirt dress she was wearing.
‘You look perfect to me,’ he said, flashing her a smile. ‘God, sorry, did that sound super-cheesy?’
‘Just a bit, yeah,’ she said stiffly.
‘Well, I never was much of a smooth-talker,’ he replied, looking away.
‘Right, well, if we’re going to Hastings we may as well hit the road,’ she said, grabbing her handbag and denim jacket from the hook behind the door.
The short drive to Hastings passed in awkward silence. Ryan tried to make small talk, but to Tori it just felt odd and uncomfortable. When Ryan finally found a parking space along the seafront, Tori couldn’t wait to get out of the car.
‘Let’s have a walk along the front, shall we? And then maybe find somewhere to eat? I thought we could go to that pizza place you used to like…’ said Ryan.
‘Let’s just see how things go, shall we?’
‘Oh, of course, yeah… sorry.’
They walked for a few minutes before Ryan turned to her and said, ‘Tori, this is crazy – we’re acting like strangers.Let’s sit down and talk properly,’ he said, taking her hand and guiding her towards the nearest bench.
‘I’m listening,’ she said, pulling her denim jacket around her; it was chillier than she’d expected for July, and the sea breeze was cutting right through her.
‘It’s like I said the other night – I know I screwed up in Thailand. I want you back, Tori. I want us to try again and if all that other stuff is important to you, we can do it, all of it.’
‘What other stuff?’
‘You know, marriage, kids, houses. It’s all in the planeventually,’ he said, placing great emphasis on the word, ‘but we’re only young, it’s not like there’s any rush, there’s no deadline.’
‘But that other stuff is important to me, Ryan. I need to know that we want the same things.’
‘And we do. Like I said, I’ll do whatever it takes – I want you to be happy,’ he said, taking her hand.
‘And you’re ready for that? Buying a house together? Getting married?’
‘Whatever it takes, I just want you back in my life,’ he said, placing a hand on her knee.
‘Really?’ Tori said, feeling her resolve weaken as he pulled her in closer to him.
‘I’ve always loved our adventures together, the travelling, the exploring, the places we’ve been… all of it. I can’t imagine doing those things with anyone else. I want my next adventure to be with you, Tori, only you. I promise. Iloveyou,’ whispered Ryan, leaning towards her and bringing his lips closer, kissing her softly and she felt his arms tightenaround her waist. The kiss was warm, familiar and comforting. When they finally broke apart, Ryan gently stroked her face, murmuring in her ear, ‘Does this mean I’m forgiven?’
