Page 128 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘I thought we were friends, Claire,’ said Tori. ‘I confided in you; God, I even asked you for advice…’
‘I know, I know,’ said Claire. ‘When Ryan arrived in the village, I thought you guys would get back together. I got chatting to him in the pub one night and he was so keen on you going back to Thailand with him. I encouraged him, suggested he surprise you with the tickets—’
‘You did what? Is that why you kept trying to push me and Ryan together? And kept asking if Leo and I were still dating?’ asked Tori. Claire nodded. ‘How dare you try and interfere like that!’
‘I’m so sorry, Tori, I know I’ve behaved badly.’
‘Behaved badly?’ yelled Tori. ‘Apart from anything else, this is criminal damage – I should call the police!’
‘Please, Tori, can we sort this out between us? There’s no need to call the police. I’ve been an idiot. I saw you and Leo kissing and I was hurt. I was driving past the café and I just… Oh, I don’t even know what I thought… I was so upset,’ Claire said miserably.
‘What if you’d broken the window and the cats escaped? They could have been killed,’ said Joyce.
‘I know, I know. I wasn’t thinking. I don’t know what came over me… I’ll make sure I pay for the repairs, I’ll have someone out first thing to fix it… Please, can you forgive me?’
‘That’s asking a lot, Claire,’ said Tori, folding her arms. ‘What’s changed? Is it just that you’ve been caught out?’
‘No, absolutely not,’ said Claire quickly. ‘If that’s all it was, I could have lied and blamed it on someone else. I can see Leo’s crazy about you. I just need to accept he’s not interested in me.’
‘And can you?’
‘Yes. I wanted… I hoped me and Leo had something, but there was never anything on his part, not really. I’m sorry. You tried to be my friend and I…’ Claire trailed off unable to finish.
‘I don’t know, Claire,’ said Tori slowly, still stunned by what she’d just learnt. ‘This is a lot to take in. Look, it’s been a rough night – I’m not going to call the police but I’m not sure we can move past this either.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to get the police involved?’ asked Maggie, looking Claire up and down. ‘What she’s done is pretty serious.’
‘I know what it’s like to be let down, Mags, it doesn’t always leave you thinking straight. What you did wasn’t right, though, Claire, you need to make amends,’ said Tori.
‘I know exactly how she can do it too,’ said Joyce. ‘Wasn’t Izzy saying just the other day how short they are for volunteers up at the centre? If Claire is serious about wanting to put things right, she can go and see Izzy in the morning and sign up.’
‘I absolutely will,’ said Claire. ‘A second chance is more than I deserve after everything I’ve put you through, Tori. And I promise, I really will have someone out first thing to sort that window.’
‘You’d better,’ said Tori.
‘I think it’s about time we all called it a night. There’s been more than enough drama to deal with this evening. Thanks for your help, Mags. We’ll see you tomorrow,’ said Joyce, putting an arm around Tori and ushering her back towards the house.
As Tori tried to process the events of the evening and turned her key in the front door, she suddenly realized something… she owed Violet Davenport a very big apology.
Chapter 38
Tori was awoken the next morning by the sound of her phone buzzing. She grinned and threw back the duvet when she spotted a message from Leo.Lara and I got the all clear from the doctors. When can I see you? Miss you already xx
Tori hugged her knees close to her chest and smiled. She had a message from Rose too.Can you meet me at Jasmine Cottage when you get this? Jake and I need your help with something xxIntrigued, Tori typed out a reply.Of course. Hope everything’s okay? Can I bring Leo?Tori pulled on her dressing gown as the reply from Rose came through:Yes and yes.She fired off a message to Leo:How about now? Fancy meeting me at Jasmine Cottage?Before she could put her phone down, Leo had replied.On my way xx
Tori ran down to the kitchen to find a note waiting for her on the table.Morning, love. Cats have been fed, repairs have started on the window, there’s nothing for you to do, just come and meet me at Jasmine Cottage.What? Her mum was at Jasmine Cottage? What was going on? Her curiosity getting thebetter of her, Tori showered in record time, threw on a pair of jeans and a vest top and opened the front door to find Cora with her arm poised, ready to knock.
‘Cora?’ said Tori, as she pulled on her jacket.
‘Tori, is everything okay with the café? I just spotted the window?’
‘Oh, yes, just a bit of an accident but it’s being fixed.’
‘Well, as long as you’re okay. I was going to pop in later to speak to you about something, but I may as well ask you now…’ Cora took a deep breath. ‘I was wondering if I could adopt Mr Wiggles?’
‘Seriously?’ said Tori, beaming. ‘That’s wonderful!’
‘Really?’ said Cora, her eyes brightening. ‘I was afraid you might think… if Izzy might think… well, that I’m too old.’
