Page 54 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘I should have known you’d already be here,’ said Tori.
‘Oh, you know me, I like to keep busy,’ replied Joyce, her face reddening.Was her mum blushing?
‘Cheers, Joyce,’ said Greg, climbing down the ladder and taking one of the mugs on offer. ‘Milk and two sugars, just how I like it,’ he continued, slurping his tea. ‘Your mum’s been doing a grand job of keeping us all fed and watered.’
‘It’s her forte,’ said Tori, raising an eyebrow.
‘Well, me and the lads really appreciate it,’ said Greg. ‘Some of the jobs we’re on, we don’t see as much as a chocolate digestive.’
‘Isn’t that awful, Tori?’ said Joyce, shaking her head.
‘Shocking,’ replied Tori distractedly. ‘How’s things going? Are we still on track to finish by the twenty-first?’
‘Absolutely,’ replied Greg, taking another swig of tea.
‘Honestly, Greg, the place looks amazing. I can’t tell you how pleased I am,’ said Tori.
‘He’s a real craftsman, isn’t he? It’s hard to find workmanship like this nowadays,’ said Joyce appreciatively.
‘If you can’t put some time and love into your work, you’re in the wrong job,’ said Greg, looking at Joyce fondly and smiling.
‘I’m just glad you’re happy.’ Joyce returned his smile.
‘Beyond happy,’ said Tori. ‘I’m just popping to Harrison’s for some of Ernie’s treats. I think he could do with some new toys to keep him entertained too. Either of you want anything?’
‘No, we’re good, love, but you do spoil that cat, you know,’ said Joyce, not taking her eyes off Greg. ‘Greg, why don’t you sit down and enjoy that cuppa? I’ve got a Victoria sponge just out the oven if you’re hungry?’
‘When am I not?’ Greg laughed.
‘I’ll grab you a slice and join you,’ said Joyce, straightening her apron.
‘Perfect,’ said Greg, ‘I look forward to our morning chats.’
‘Me too,’ said Joyce.
As Tori walked across the green towards Harrison’s, she replayed the exchange between Greg and her mum in her head. Was she imagining it or was there something between the two of them? They seemed to enjoy each other’s company, that much was obvious, but it was more than that, though. It was the way they looked at each other. There was something in her mum’s expression that seemed, well… different. Happier? Excited? Youthful? Was she interested in Greg? Tori had to admit, she’d never considered the possibility of Joyce dating again. The idea felt strange, but why shouldn’t Joyce find someone new? She was barely sixty after all; lots of people found love later in life and Joyce certainly deserved to be happy after the way she’d been treated by Tori’s father. Greg seemed like a good guy from what Tori had seen. Shedecided that if therewassomething between her mum and Greg, she’d do everything she could to encourage it.
As Tori walked through the door to Harrison’s, the bell chimed to signal her entrance. She headed straight for the pet food aisle, grabbed a couple of packs of Ernie’s favourite treats, a new fishing rod toy, a pack of toy mice and made for the till.
‘Jess, hi! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.’
‘Hiya!’ said the tall smiling girl behind the till. ‘I’ve pretty much finished uni, so I’m back for the foreseeable. Mum being Mum, she put me straight back to work in the shop.’
‘Really? Wow, that’s gone quick! What was it you were studying again?’
‘Art. I’ve just finished my MA at Cardiff.’
‘Of course, I forgot you were an artist. I remember that mural you painted up at the school.’
‘The one of the green man?’
‘That’s the one. I wish I was that talented. I wanted to try and do something arty for the café, but I really don’t have the skills.’
‘I heard about your plans for the Cosy Cup – it sounds exciting!’
‘Can you tell that to Violet Davenport? She thinks reopening as a cat café is the worst thing to ever happen in the village.’
‘Ah, Vicious Violet. Mum told me she was trying to stir things up. Typical Violet. I wouldn’t waste your time on her. She was in here the other day complaining that ourmultipacks of jammie dodgers were more expensive than the supermarket.’
