Page 125 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘What’s happened to Lara?’ Tori whispered.
‘I need to make sure she’s okay,’ said Leo.
‘Let’s go find her,’ said Tori, taking his hand.
Chapter 37
Lara was sitting upright in the back of an ambulance, Nina at her side, clutching her daughter’s hand.
‘How’s she doing, Will?’ Leo asked the paramedic.
‘Her vitals look good, but we’re going to head to A and E to get her checked out. She’s had a lucky escape, mate,’ replied Will, clapping Leo on the back.
‘Leo, if it wasn’t for you…’ Nina whispered.
‘Don’t even go there, Sis,’ said Leo, his voice cracking. ‘Do you know what happened, Lara?’
‘It’s all my fault, Uncle Leo, I took one of the magic jam jars into the barn to look for fairies…’
‘Magic jam jars?’ asked Nina.
‘I think she means the ones on the tables – Rose and I put tealights in them,’ replied Tori.
‘But it was dark, I dropped it and the straw caught on fire. I thought I’d be in trouble, so I hid… and then, then…’ Lara sobbed.
‘Hey, you’re not in trouble,’ Leo said soothingly, puttinghis arm around Lara’s tiny shoulders. ‘We’re just glad you’re okay, that’s all. That’s the only thing that matters, right?’
‘Okay,’ sniffed Lara.
‘Why don’t you ride with us to the hospital?’ said Will. ‘You should get checked out too.’
‘I’m fine,’ said Leo, coughing again.
‘I want you to, Uncle Leo,’ said Lara.
‘As long as there’s still room for Mummy,’ said Leo, looking at Will.
‘Well, it’s bending the rules a little but I’m sure we can take all three of you,’ said Will, smiling at Lara. She beamed at him.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ said Tori, turning to go.
‘Hang on,’ said Leo, jumping out of the ambulance. ‘Will, just give me a second, will you? Tori, wait…’
‘Leo, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault,’ said Tori, full of shame.
‘Your fault? And how’s that exactly?’
‘It was my idea to put tealights in the jam jars. That’s what caused the fire.’
‘You didn’t know what was going to happen, you couldn’t have.’
‘But even so…’
‘Don’t blame yourself, okay? I’m fine, Lara’s fine, that’s what matters,’ he said, wiping away the tears that were now streaming down Tori’s face.
‘I know but—’
‘Listen, before I get in that ambulance, I need to tell yousomething.’ Tori opened her mouth, but Leo put a finger to her lips. ‘I wanted to say this the other night at the fish van, but I lost my nerve. I think we’re great together, Tori. I think we could have a shot at a real future. I know this Ryan bloke is back on the scene, but he’s got competition on his hands. I’m not giving up, Tori. If you pick Ryan, that’s… fine. But I can’t let you choose him without telling you how I still feel about you.’
