Page 57 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Now, I’ve done a couple of different designs,’ said Jess, thumbing through the pages, ‘but this is the one I wanted to show you first,’ she said, studying Tori’s face as she scanned the page.
‘Jess, it’s, well, it’s…’ Tori stared at the design, taking in the artwork in front of her. It showed a sleeping cat, its tail curled up around a cup of coffee, steam rising from the top. Underneath the drawing were the words The Cosy Cat Café, in a fancy script.
‘Yes…?’
‘It’s… perfect, I love it.’
‘Really?’
‘Really!’
‘I hoped you would,’ replied Jess, exhaling. ‘I’ve got a few other sketches to show you, but I thought this might be the one.’
‘It is.’
‘I was thinking it would work as a logo too. I’d obviously have to scale it down, but you could have it on all the menus and signage?’
‘Definitely! That would look great, Jess.’
‘And you could get it printed onto some branded merchandise too? Mugs, jute bags… that kind of thing?’
‘Great idea! I was hoping to get some gift items to sell too,’ said Tori.
‘I’ll finalize the design this afternoon and email it across, that way you can start using it straight away and I can come back tomorrow and get going on the mural if I’m not going to be in the way?’
‘Greg will be here finishing up the last few bits, if you don’t mind working around him?’
‘Excellent – I can buy the paints this afternoon.’
‘Honestly, Jess, I can’t thank you enough. Don’t forget to keep the receipts, so I can reimburse you. You’re so talented, I can’t see you helping out in the shop for long,’ said Tori, stirring more sugar into her coffee.
‘God, I hope you’re right. It’s doing my head in being back with Mum and Dad. It’s not even like I’m going back to uniin September now my master’s is done. It’s time for the real world… unfortunately.’
‘Don’t feel too down about it. I know it’s weird once you graduate – I was out of sorts for weeks. One minute you’re surrounded by all your mates, having the time of your life and the next… well, you’re back in Blossom Heath with no clue what you’re going to do next.’
‘It sucks,’ said Jess, staring into her soy latte.
‘It does, but it’s exciting too. Who knows what’s next for you? Have you thought about what you might want to do work-wise?’
Jess paused and drank her coffee. ‘The dream would be to land a job at a London gallery, but the chances of that happening are… well, let’s just say it’s unlikely. The competition is ridiculous; I’m not sure it’s even worth trying,’ she said, her face falling a little.
‘If it’s what you really want, it’s got to be worth a try? You’ll only kick yourself in the future if you don’t give it a shot now,’ said Tori, reaching across the table to pat Jess on the arm.
‘I know,’ said Jess, sighing, ‘but the rejection letters are pretty brutal.’
‘I bet. Look, try not to worry about it too much, keep applying for all the jobs you fancy and, in the meantime, well, you’ve got the mural to focus on.’
‘Thanks, Tori. A pep talk from you is a whole lot less judgemental than one from Mum.’
‘I get that. My mum can be a bit pushy at times too, but it’s only cos they want what’s best for us, right?’
Jess smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘Thanks, Tori, it’s good to chat to someone who gets it.’
‘Honestly, I’m around if you ever need to talk.’
‘I’ll hold you to that. Right, I’d best get off and get everything sorted for tomorrow,’ said Jess, standing and picking up her sketch pad.
‘It’s going to look amazing. I’m so grateful – thanks, Jess.’
