Page 48 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘You don’t think I’m… a terrible person? For having an affair with a married man? It’s not something I’m proud of, but I’d fallen in love with him before I even knew he had a wife.’
‘We all make mistakes. And anyway, he’s the one who was married, not you,’ said Tori.
Claire nodded. ‘The thing is, I want to settle down, have a family and that was never going to happen if I stuck with Damian. I’m thirty next birthday – I can’t afford to be wasting time.’
‘Sounds like you did the right thing. How are you finding Blossom Heath, though? It must seem a bit dull after living in London?’
‘I love it here,’ said Claire, her face breaking into a smile. ‘I’d had enough of London to be honest. Like I said, I’m ready to settle down and I don’t want to raise my kids in the city.’
‘And what about the Blossom Heath dating scene? If you’re looking to settle down, there aren’t many options—’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. I might have already found someone,’ she said, not quite meeting Tori’s eye.
‘Really? Who? Do I know him?’
‘Let’s just say I’m playing my cards close to my chest for now. We had a couple of dates a while back, but things didn’t quite work out as I’d hoped.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
‘Ah, it’s just a matter of time before he realizes what he’s missing,’ said Claire, running a hand through her hair. ‘What about you, though? Have you heard from that ex of yours?’
‘Ryan? No, nothing.’ Tori put her knife and fork down.
‘Is that a good or bad thing?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. To be honest, I’ve been so busy with all the plans for the café, I haven’t had too much time to think about him, which is probably a good thing…’
‘And have you got your eye on anyone else?’ Claire asked casually. Tori looked away.
‘Uh…’
‘Sorry, I don’t mean to pry, only I’ve noticed you chatting to that fireman guy, a few times, he’s hot, I wouldn’t blame you if you…’
‘Oh, Leo?’ Tori’s face flushed red.
‘That’s the one. Nothing going on there, then?’ asked Claire, leaning forwards, her fork paused halfway to her mouth.
‘Nope, absolutely nothing.’ Why was she suddenly feeling so warm? ‘We’re just friends,’ she said in a high-pitched voice that sounded unfamiliar to her.
‘Oh well, that’s probably for the best. I’ve heard he’s a bit of a player.’
‘Really? Leo?’ said Tori, stiffening.
‘Yep, definitely not boyfriend material. I don’t know the guy personally,’ said Claire, holding up her hands, ‘it’s just what I’ve heard. I’d hate for you to get involved with someone else who might break your heart.’
Was Tori imagining it, or did it sound like Claire was warning her off?
‘Well, like I said, we’re just friends, so it’s not an issue.’
‘That’s good to hear; I wouldn’t want you getting hurt after what you’ve just been through with your ex.’
‘No danger of that – I’m one hundred per cent single.’
‘Cheers to that,’ said Claire, raising her glass, ‘and cheers to friendship.’
‘To friendship,’ said Tori, clinking her glass against Claire’s.
When Tori arrived back home, she spotted a letter on the kitchen table with a pink Post-it note stuck to the top:I think this is what you’ve been waiting for.Was this it? Had the letter from the council finally arrived? Tori’s hands turned clammy. What if it was bad news?
