Page 116 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
Tori stared at him, her heart pounding. ‘Let’s take it one day at a time, shall we?’
‘I can live with that,’ said Ryan, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Chapter 34
Tori barely slept again that night, replaying the conversation with Ryan over and over in her head. He was finally offering her everything she wanted. A life together, marriage, maybe even kids one day too? And yet she had a nagging little voice in her brain telling her something wasn’t right. If they’d had this conversation before she’d left Thailand, she’d have been overjoyed. So why didn’t she feel like that now? What had changed? Were her feelings different? The way Ryan had talked about their future together had bothered her too. Was he just trying to placate her to win her back? Sure, he said he wanted to marry her one day, but did he really mean it? Their kiss had felt off too. It wasn’t that it was a bad kiss – the chemistry between her and Ryan had always been there, she’d felt it yesterday, but something was missing. It just wasn’t as passionate as the kiss she’d shared with Leo. That had been electric; fireworks, earth-shattering, mind-blowing. Tori buried her head in the pillow.Pull yourself together. You’ve not told Ryan you’re getting back together. You’re taking each day as it comes, that’s all.
Tori’s phone buzzed. She made a grab for it, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over her when she realized the message was from Ryan, not Leo. After their encounter yesterday, she’d hoped he might get in touch. Her finger hovered over Ryan’s words.It was like old times again last night, miss you already xxShe stared at the screen for a while, unsure of how to reply. Deciding that avoidance was probably the best strategy, she opened Instagram and saw she had a new message.Hi Tori, I’m filming in Brighton today and I’d love to pop by and see you. Would that be cool? Millie xA message from Millie Martin?TheMillie Martin? Tori rubbed her eyes.Millie Martin in Blossom Heath?How exciting! She let out an involuntary whoop, threw the duvet back with a start and raced down the stairs.
‘Mum! You’re not going to believe this,’ Tori cried as she burst into the kitchen.
‘Blimey, Tori, you nearly scared me half to death! What’s happened?’ said Joyce, her tea slopping over the sides of her mug.
‘You’re not going to believe it, but you know I sent that message to Millie Martin, the influencer?’
‘I remember, yes,’ said Joyce, nodding.
‘Well, she’s only gone and replied! She wants to come to the café today!’ she explained, a little breathlessly.
‘I told you it was worth a try.’
‘I can’t believe it. What shall I say to her?’
‘You say yes, obviously,’ Joyce laughed.
‘Okay, hang on,’ said Tori, typing out a reply.We’d loveto see you Millie, I’ll keep a table reserved for you.‘There, done,’ she said, exhaling. Before Tori could draw breath, her phone buzzed again,Thanks hun xxAnd just like that, the Cosy Cat had its first celebrity customer… and she was on her way!
After the initial burst of adrenalin had passed, Tori and Joyce spent the morning preparing for Millie’s arrival. Joyce pulled out all the stops in the kitchen and Tori cleaned every inch of the café until she could see her reflection in the tabletops. She’d put a reserved sign on her favourite table in the window, and she’d fired off messages to Rose, Kate, Grace, Izzy, Harriet and Melissa to let them know about Millie’s planned visit, so they could pop in and meet her themselves. Tori had thought about sending Leo a message to tell him too, but something had stopped her, and she’d deleted the draft without sending it.
Once the lunchtime rush was over, Tori’s excitement began to turn to anxiety. She looked up at the clock for what seemed to the hundredth time: 2.20pm. The café usually closed at four and there was still no sign of Millie. What if she didn’t show? Tori took a deep breath and tried to quash the nerves that were building inside her. Millie said she’d be here, hadn’t she? Tori had no reason to doubt her, but as the minutes ticked by to 3.20pm, Tori let out a defeated sigh. Still no sign of Millie.
‘I forgot to tell you, love,’ said Joyce, trying to distract her. ‘I bumped into Claire earlier, she wanted to know if you’re planning on giving Ryan another chance?’
‘Really? She was asking Rose whether I was still dating Leo. Since when is she so interested in my love life?’ said Tori, bristling.
‘I was inclined to tell her to mind her business, but I think she’s only concerned for you. Beth said she’s seen her chatting to Ryan in the pub a few times, perhaps she thinks she can plead his case?’
‘It’s going to take more than a word from Claire to help make things clearer,’ said Tori, looking at the clock again.
‘Oh, love, don’t worry, there’s still time for Millie to get here – we don’t close for another forty minutes,’ said Joyce, with an encouraging smile.
‘I knew I shouldn’t have gotten so excited,’ Tori sighed, as the café door opened with a bang.
‘Has she been? Am I too late? I practically chased the kids out of school,’ said a sweating Rose, leaning on the door to catch her breath.
‘Nah, not yet. I don’t think she’s coming,’ replied Tori with a shake of the head.
‘There’s still time,’ said Rose, nodding at the clock on the wall.
‘You sound just like Mum,’ said Tori with a half-smile.
‘Well, great minds and all that, eh Joyce,’ said Rose with a wink.
‘Exactly, Rose, dear,’ Joyce agreed.
‘How about you and I have a catch-up coffee before Millie arrives?’ said Rose.
‘But what if she doesn’t—’
