Page 14 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Oh, you’d be surprised, we get called out to all sorts,’ Leo replied, smiling warmly at her. ‘Cats have a knack of getting themselves into scrapes. My own two are a right pair of troublemakers.’
‘He’s not wrong,’ said Grace. ‘He’s always at the surgery with Tallulah and Tinkerbell.’
‘Tallulah and Tinkerbell?’ said Tori, struggling to stifle a laugh.
‘My cats,’ said Leo. ‘And I didn’t come up with those names,’ he added quickly. ‘They were rescues and Grace is right, they’ve cost me a fortune in vet’s bills already this year.’
‘And I welcome the business,’ Grace teased.
‘Right then, Tori. Shall we get Ernie’s paws firmly back on the ground?’ Leo asked.
‘Please,’ Tori replied as she walked back towards the tree.
Leo and the rest of the fire crew worked quickly to set up the tallest ladder Tori had ever seen. Leo climbed it in no time at all and he soon reached the tree’s uppermost branches, where Ernie was camped out. Tori could hear Leo talking quietly and softly; he was trying hard to coax the cat into the carrier without frightening him. His gentleness took her by surprise; he seemed such an imposing figure that his tone almost seemed at odds with his physical appearance. As Ernie leapt for the higher branches, Leo was ready. He caught the cat in mid-air, in one swift and fluid movement, and was soon on his way back down.
Grace, Rose, Ted and Mags began cheering and clapping,and before Tori knew it, Leo was handing her one very indignant feline. Tori couldn’t account for what happened next – perhaps it was relief or gratitude, she flung her arms around Leo and hugged him tightly.
‘Oh, thank you, thank you,’ she found herself saying breathlessly. ‘I can’t believe you managed to catch him. When he leapt into the air, I thought…’
‘Hey,’ said Leo, fixing his eyes directly on her, ‘he’s okay. Cats are pretty hardy things despite what they’d have you believe.’
‘Oh God, sorry, I don’t know why I’m so upset,’ said Tori, wiping her eyes. ‘What must you think?’
‘I think that you clearly love your cat, and that’s a pretty good character trait if you ask me,’ said Leo, holding her gaze again. Tori looked back at him.Why couldn’t she look away?
‘Ahem,’ said Rose, clearing her throat.
‘Why don’t I take Ernie back to the clinic now and give him a proper once-over? I can pop him back to the tearoom in a little while,’ said Grace.
‘I honestly can’t thank you enough, Grace. You’ve been such a help,’ replied Tori, finally breaking eye contact with Leo.
‘We’d best be getting off too,’ said Leo, nodding towards the fire engine.
‘Oh yeah, of course. Well, thanks again for everything you’ve done,’ said Tori.
‘Ah, it’s all part of the job. I hope Ernie’s okay,’ said Leo. Ashe turned to walk away, Leo paused. He stopped and looked back at her. ‘I hope I see you again, Tori.’
‘You’ll find her at the Cosy Cup tearoom,’ shouted Rose. ‘Your next coffee is on the house,’ she added. Leo gave her a thumbs-up.
Tori felt her pulse begin to quicken and something told her that it wasn’t entirely down to the chaos that Ernie had caused today.
‘What was that?’ Rose asked, as she walked with Tori back to the tearoom.
‘What was what?’ replied Tori, shaking her head.
‘Don’t give me that,’ said Rose. ‘You and Leo?’
‘What about Leo?’ said Tori blankly.
‘Uh, what about those sparks flying between the two of you?’
‘Sparks?’
‘Oh, come on, you’re not completely blind. Talk about chemistry,’ said Rose, ‘I’ve never seen anything so obvious.’
‘Obvious?’
‘The obvious attraction between the pair of you. Oh, come on, Tori, you two were totally vibing!’
