Page 56 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘If it’s working for you, why change?’ Tori agreed.
‘My thoughts exactly.’
As Tori paid for her shopping and put her purse backinto her bag, she felt her phone vibrate with a message. She looked at the screen. It was from Leo. Her pulse raced.Tori, I’m trying the direct approach. How about we go on a proper date? Dinner? Tomorrow night? 8pm? The Purple Prawn in Rye?Tori felt all the blood drain from her face. Spending time with Leo recently had been, well, it had been amazing, but a date?No, that was something altogether different.
‘Tori? I said, what’s up?’ Tori looked up from her phone, she could see Jess’s face was full of concern.
‘Oh, er… sorry. I was just checking my messages,’ Tori said distractedly.
‘Something wrong?’
‘No, I’m fine, honestly.’
‘Well, you look pale as anything,’ said Jess.
‘Do I? Just tired, I guess. I’ll see you tomorrow?’
‘Looking forward to it,’ said Jess.
As Tori walked back to the café, she fired off a reply to Leo.Thanks for asking, sorry but I can’t xxAs she put her phone back into her bag, Tori realized that she didn’t feel the sense of relief that she’d expected to at having put Leo off. She felt as though she’d made a mistake. A huge one.
Chapter 20
Jess arrived at the Cosy Cat Cafe promptly at eleven the next morning, a large sketch pad under one arm and a laptop bag slung over her shoulder.
‘Morning!’ said Tori, leaping up from her seat in the window.
‘Hiya!’ replied Jess, grinning. ‘Slacking off already, are you?’ She nodded towards Tori’s cup of coffee.
‘You don’t want to see me in the mornings if I’ve not had my caffeine fix.’ Jess snorted with laughter. ‘I’m not joking,’ continued Tori, ‘it’s really not a pretty sight.’
‘I’ll take your word for it.’
‘Grab a seat,’ Tori said, indicating the chair opposite, ‘get comfy and I’ll get you a drink. What do you fancy?’
‘Soy latte, thanks.’ Tori nodded. ‘Did Ernie like his new toys?’
‘He did! I had to give up whisking the mouse on a string round the lounge, though, my arm nearly fell off.’
‘Sounds like he’s got you trained well,’ laughed Jess.
‘Doesn’t he just, that’s why they say dogs have owners, cats have staff.’
‘You know,’ said Jess, looking around the café, her eyes wide, ‘this place looks amazing, Tori. You’ve done a brilliant job!’
‘Really? Do you like it?’ Tori asked, holding her breath, as she realized Jess was the first person to see the renovation works.
‘I love it. The colour scheme is gorgeous, and all these walkways and dens are genius,’ said Jess, walking around the room to take in the new look. ‘This back wall here would be perfect for a mural, don’t you think?’
‘That’s what I was thinking too.’
‘Great minds, eh?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Let me show you what I came up with last night,’ said Jess excitedly, reaching for her sketch pad and pulling up a chair.
‘There you go,’ said Tori, placing a mug on the table in front of Jess. Tori pulled her chair around to look over Jess’s shoulder as she flicked through her sketch pad.
