Page 126 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘There is no competition,’ said Tori.
‘What?’
‘I mean,’ she said, putting her finger to his lips, ‘I mean, I choose you, Leo –you’rethe one I want to be with.’
‘And you couldn’t have told me that before I did that whole embarrassing speech thing?’ he said, smiling broadly.
‘Well, you were doing such a great job that I didn’t want to interrupt you…’
Leo pulled Tori towards him and kissed her, the whoops from the onlooking crowd eventually breaking them apart.
‘About time!’ shouted Mags.
‘Finally!’ said Rose.
‘I knew it!’ cried Grace.
‘Come on, Romeo, time to go,’ shouted Will from the back of the ambulance.
‘Can I take it that means Ryan is out of the picture then?’ Rose whispered in Tori’s ear as the ambulance pulled away.
‘You can,’ said Tori, nodding. ‘I guess I’d better go and find him – I’d just told him I didn’t want to get back together when we spotted the flames.’
‘Oh, he’s literally just gone,’ said Beth. ‘Once he saw you and Leo kiss, he told me he was heading straight back to the pub to check out.’
‘I think once he saw you two together, he realized it was game over,’ added Jake.
‘Jake, I’m so sorry, your beautiful barn,’ said Tori, looking up at the remains of the building in front of her.
‘Oh, don’t worry, honestly. We’ve got insurance, no one’s hurt, that’s all I care about,’ said Jake, putting an arm around Rose. ‘In fact, you should all get off home. The fire crew can take it from here. You’ve done more than enough tonight.’
‘Only if you’re sure?’ said Mrs Connolly.
‘We’re happy to stay and lend a hand,’ said Grace.
‘No, we can manage, honestly,’ said Rose. ‘You all go home and get some sleep.’
‘I’ll come back tomorrow with some of the lads from work and we’ll help with the cleanup,’ said Greg, who Tori noticed was holding her mum’s hand.
‘That would be much appreciated, Greg, thanks,’ said Jake.
‘Come on, love,’ said Joyce, ‘I think you’ve had enough excitement for one night. Let’s try to get some rest and you can check on Leo tomorrow.’ Tori nodded and followed her mum towards the car. ‘I’ll drive,’ said Joyce, taking the keys from her daughter, ‘I don’t think your mind’s going to be focused on the road.’
‘You’re one to talk,’ laughed Tori, climbing into the passenger seat. ‘What about you and Greg? He’s pretty smitten if you ask me.’
‘We’re going on a date next Thursday actually,’ said Joyce, struggling to contain the excitement in her voice. ‘He finally worked up the courage to ask me.’
‘Ah, that’s brilliant, Mum. I’m so pleased for you.’
‘Don’t go getting too ahead of yourself, it’s just a date, but it’s a step in the right direction.’
‘It certainly is,’ agreed Tori.
‘We’re going to go to that new Italian place in Rye for dinner,’ said Joyce, smiling and starting up the engine.
‘I might have to pop in for a drink then, check how you’re getting on.’
‘Don’t you dare, Tori Baxter!’ laughed Joyce as she hit the accelerator and pulled away from Harper Farm.
