Page 29 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘What a lovely idea,’ said Joyce, reaching down to stroke Ernie, who was wrapping himself around the table legs and mewing for his breakfast.
‘I know! It’s so clever. If we operated in the same way then, worst-case scenario, if things don’t work out, we’d just need to get all the cats we were looking after adopted before we switched back to being a regular tearoom again. What do you think?’
‘I love it!’
‘Seriously? Oh, Mum, that’s great news!’ Tori leapt up and threw her arms around her mother.
‘There’s still a lot to think about and we need to investigate the idea properly, but we’ll do some more planning, get some expert advice and then we can make a decision… together.’
‘I’ve already got some contact details for people who might be able to help,’ said Tori, displaying a wide grin, ‘and I thought I could talk to Grace and see if she can advise us on the animal welfare side of things?’
‘That sounds like a great starting point.’
‘I’m going to put together a full business plan to show you, but I just need to get all the ideas worked out in my head first.’
‘Perfect. Now, how would you feel about officially becoming manager of the cat café?’
‘Manager? Seriously?’
‘If you’re going to take ownership of this, then I think it’s only fair. You’re going to be the driving force behind the project, and I want to recognize that.’
‘Oh, thanks, Mum,’ said Tori. ‘I won’t let you down. I know the cat café is a new idea, but I want you to know how important it is to me that we keep the essence of the Cosy Cup alive. People love it and it’s important we don’t lose that with the revamp.’
‘Of course, love. I’ve got every faith in you. Now, can we get some breakfast sorted? I’m starving.’
‘I’m just heading next door to open up. I’ll get some eggs on the go.’
‘Great.’
‘Jump in the shower and I’ll have breakfast ready by the time you arrive.’
‘Thanks, love.’
When Tori arrived at the Cosy Cup to make a start on breakfast, she felt her face break into a grin. Was she really about to embark on a new adventure, right here in Blossom Heath?
Chapter 11
After surviving the lunchtime rush, Tori headed straight over to Brook House to see Grace. She’d managed to consume enough coffee to just about stave off last night’s lack of sleep, and she wanted to seize the moment while the idea was still fresh. Now that the plan was to turn the Cosy Cup into a cat café, she was keen to talk the idea over with an expert.
‘Hi there,’ she said to Tara, the receptionist behind the desk. ‘I don’t suppose Grace is about?’
‘You’re in luck – she’s just finishing her lunch. Let me see if she’s free,’ replied Tara, disappearing through the door that led to the consulting rooms. She reappeared with a beaming Grace at her side.
‘Tori! It’s not Ernie again, is it?’
‘No, Ernie’s fine but I’ve got an idea that I wanted to run past you, if you’ve got five minutes?’
‘Sure, afternoon surgery doesn’t start for a bit. Come through and I’ll make you a cuppa?’
‘Perfect. If you’ve got coffee, the stronger the better,’ saidTori, following Grace through the door leading to the clinic’s staffroom.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Actually, everything’s great – Mum’s had this great idea for the Cosy Cup, and I wanted to pick your brains before we start making plans.’
‘Pickmybrains? Are you sure you’re asking the right person? I don’t know much about—’
‘You’re theperfectperson, Grace, trust me. What do you know about cat cafés?’ Grace stopped adding milk to her coffee.
