Page 25 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Sounds sensible. Are you back for good, then, Tori?’ asked Grace.
‘Maybe. I’m just settling back into village life; it’s a bit of a culture shock after Thailand,’ said Tori.
‘I bet!’ said Kate.
‘I haven’t really decided what to do now I’m back on my own.’ Tori shrugged.
‘Ah, Rose told me about your ex. Ryan, is it?’ said Grace.
‘I hope you don’t mind?’ said Rose quickly.
‘Course not,’ said Tori.
‘Is he completely out of the picture?’ asked Kate, picking up her pint.
‘Completely. I’ve not heard a word from him since I got home. I did think about messaging him, but I don’t want to bethatgirl,’ said Tori.
‘Meaning?’ asked Grace, raising her eyebrows.
‘You know, the one pining after her ex, looking for answers. He wanted to end things and now he has. What more is there to know?’ said Tori.
‘It might help you move on, though,’ Grace suggested.
‘I have moved on. I’m off men,’ said Tori, taking a large swig of wine. ‘Life’s a whole lot simpler without them.’
‘Simpler, maybe, but definitely less fun,’ Kate laughed.
‘Well, here’s to simplicity then,’ said Tori, raising her drink. They all clinked their glasses in agreement. ‘Cheers,’ they chorused.
The four friends spent the next few hours drinking and laughing together. Tori found she had a lot in common with Grace; they both loved travelling and Tori liked her carefree attitude and the way she listened without feeling the need to judge or advise. She was happy to see how well Rose and Kate got along too. Perhaps they’d even be sisters-in-law one day? As she made her way through the packed pub on her way back from the ladies, she saw a familiar face at the jukebox and beamed, despite herself.
‘Kings of Leon or Lewis Capaldi?’ asked Leo, when he saw her. He beckoned her over.
‘Huh?’ said Tori.
‘Kings of Leon or Lewis Capaldi?’ repeated Leo, inclining his head towards her.
‘Oh, always Kings of Leon.’
‘Right answer!’ He punched his selection into the jukebox, and ‘Use Somebody’ began blaring out through the speakers. He smiled at her, and Tori’s stomach did a little flip. ‘I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink. What can I get you?’ he said, nodding towards the bar.
‘Oh no, you don’t have to, I’m—’
‘Iwantto,’ he said, holding her gaze.
‘Sauvignon Blanc, please.’ She followed Leo towards the bar and perched herself on the nearest stool. Why hadn’t she reapplied her lip gloss when she was in the ladies? More to the point, why did she care? She wasn’t interested in Leo, was she? He sat down next to her and smiled. She felt butterflies surge in her belly. Honestly, she had to stop this; she wasn’t interested in dating again.
‘To Ernie,’ he said, raising his pint glass. ‘May he long continue causing chaos.’ He smiled at her. He really did have the perfect smile. Tori raised her glass and laughed.
‘Listen, I’m sorry about the way I spoke to you the other day. I was so rude to you…’
‘Forget it,’ he said, waving his hand. ‘You’ve already apologized. I’m a big boy, I can take it. Plus, there was free food involved. I’m happy for you to insult me daily if you always say sorry with a cheese scone.’
‘That’s good to know,’ said Tori, laughing.Damn!He was sweet too. Sweetandsexy.
‘So, how long are you back for? Jake mentioned you’d been off travelling.’
Tori stiffened. What else had Jake been telling him? ‘Oh, did he?’
