Page 123 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Settling? By staying here in Blossom Heath, you mean?’
‘Exactly. I thought you were aiming for something better, Tori. I thought you were ambitious.’
‘I think all the work I’ve put into the café is pretty ambitious,’ she said, hurling the plane tickets back at him. ‘AndI think what I’ve achieved since I’ve been home is pretty good, actually.’
‘Calm down, will you. I’m not having a go; I’m just saying running a café isn’t really—’
‘I know exactly what you were trying to say, Ryan,’ she said, the heat rising in her cheeks. ‘Did you really think I would just abandon the café? The cats? The work I’ve been doing with the rescue centre? Just because you’ve got some half-arsed plan to go back to work in Thailand?’
‘For God’s sake, Tori, you’re taking this the wrong way. I’m telling you that I love you, that I want to be with you. I’ve said I’ll do marriage and kids if that’s what you want, but we don’t have to do all that right now. I thought you’d be up for something more fun before we think about settling down. I want you to come back to Thailand with me.’
‘And if that’s not whatIwant? If I want to stay right here, to make a go of things at the café? Build a life here?’
‘Then I’d say you’re missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Come on, Tori, just say yes. If you still want to do the whole marriage thing in a few years’ time, we can talk about it then, re-evaluate.’
‘Re-evaluate?What does that even mean?’
‘It means, we’re young. We should be travelling, having adventures, having fun. Not stuck in the middle of nowhere, running a café and tying ourselves down.’
‘Tying ourselves down?’ she repeated. ‘Is that how you see our relationship? As a tie?’
‘Of course not, you’re twisting my words. Honestly, I thought you’d be happy about this; Claire said you’d jump at the chance—’
‘Claire? What’s she got to do with any of this?’
‘Well, nothing really. We’ve just been chatting a bit since I’ve been staying at the pub and she said you’d love to—’
‘Do you know what?’ said Tori, feeling calmer than she had done since Ryan had arrived back. She had clarity. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. ‘I don’t want to come with you, Ryan. We’re not right together. I thought I needed you to be happy, but I was wrong. You don’t understand or care what’s important to me and I can’t be with someone who doesn’t get me. Really get me…’
‘Of course I do.’
‘You really don’t, Ryan, but that’s okay because I think—’
‘Help! Help!’ Tori’s head snapped round to see Maggie frantically waving her arms next to one of the outbuildings. ‘Over here! Help!’
‘What the—’ said Tori, leaping up from the bench.
‘Are those flames?’ asked Ryan, pointing towards a fire that was licking up the walls towards the wooden roof at an alarming rate.
‘Oh God, it’s on fire,’ Tori cried, running across the yard. ‘Get help. Go! Quickly!’ she barked at Ryan. ‘Mags! Are you okay? Help’s coming,’ she coughed as smoke filled her lungs and the heat from the flames burned her cheeks.
‘I’m fine!’ cried Maggie, her face streaked with tears. ‘I came out for some fresh air and spotted the flames.’
Tori could hear Jake and Leo’s voices behind her, getting louder, and was grateful that Ryan had clearly raised the alarm.
‘Tori? Are you hurt?’ Jake called, sprinting towards her.
‘No, I’m fine,’ she stammered. ‘Mags spotted the flames.’
‘Is there anyone inside?’ Leo asked, pulling off his jacket.
‘I don’t know, I don’t think so,’ said Maggie, tears streaming down her face.
‘Any livestock in there?’ Leo asked Jake.
‘No, it’s just the feed store.’
‘I’ve called the fire brigade,’ shouted Rose, clutching her phone. ‘They’re on their way.’
