Page 131 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Why don’t you rent it out?’ Leo suggested.
‘That’s exactly what I was thinking, Leo,’ Jean agreed.
‘One of my football mates is a letting agent – I could get him to pop by if you like?’ said Leo.
‘Hang on a minute,’ said Tori, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘What about me? I could rent Jasmine Cottage!’
‘You?’ said Jean thoughtfully.
‘Yes! The café’s starting to turn a bit of profit, it would be a stretch, but I’m pretty sure I could pay you the going rate. The plan was always to buy somewhere but—’
‘You could still do that, dear,’ said Jean.
‘Oh no, I wouldn’t be able to pay rentandsave for a deposit…’
‘But you haven’t even asked what the rent is yet,’ continued Jean.
‘Well, a two-bed cottage,’ said Tori, mulling it over, ‘that’s got to be at least—’
‘Four hundred a month?’ said Jean.
‘What? No, more like eight,’ said Tori, shaking her head.
‘Tori’s right, Jean, a cottage like this would go for at least eight hundred,’ agreed Leo.
‘Unless I set a peppercorn rent, just to tide the tenant over until they’re able to buy the place off me,’ said Jean.
Was Tori imagining it or was there a twinkle in her eye? ‘But I don’t understand why you’d do that for someone, Jean?’ said Tori, looking from Jean to her mum.
‘Not just someone, Tori dear – you. I’m suggesting you move in here and pay me a peppercorn rent on the understanding that you’ll buy the place off me once you’ve saved up the deposit you need.’
‘But, Jean, I couldn’t possibly, that’s too generous…’
‘Well, I think it’s a wonderful idea,’ said Joyce, giving Jean a knowing glance.
‘Wait! Did you have this already worked out?’ asked Tori, realization dawning.
‘You did, didn’t you?’ cried Rose, clapping her hands together. ‘Oh, I love it!’
‘Tori, my dear, I’d love you to be the tenant of Jasmine Cottage,’ said Jean.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ said Tori, her eyes wide with shock. ‘This is overwhelming.’
‘Just say yes, dear,’ said Jean, smiling.
‘Yes!’ said Tori, and Rose whooped with delight, embracing her friend.
‘You’ll be needing these then,’ said Rose, taking a set of keys from her pocket.
‘I don’t know what to say – this is beyond anything I could imagine,’ said Tori.
‘Seeing the look on your face is thanks enough, my dear,’ said Jean. ‘Now, Jake, Rose and I were about to take the jeep back up to the farm to unload some of these boxes, so we can drop Joyce home on the way. I think you need a bit of time to explore your new home. And Leo, why don’t you stay and give Tori a hand?’ said Jean, with a mischievous look.
‘Oh, yes, definitely,’ said Leo, flushing. ‘Thanks, Jean.’
‘I honestly can’t thank you enough,’ said Tori, gently hugging Jean.
‘Oh, don’t mention it, my dear. You’ve got the keys now and all the furniture is staying put, so you can move your things in whenever you’re ready,’ said Jean.
