Page 62 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Name the time and I’ll be there,’ said Rose.
‘Thanks, you’re a star,’ said Tori.
‘We’re going to give the cats a week to settle in and get their bearings, then do a little family and friends soft launch next Sunday before the grand reopening on Monday,’ said Tori.
‘Exciting!’ said Jess.
‘Terrifying!’ said Tori.
‘I take it we’re on the soft launch guest list?’ asked Jess.
‘Obviously! I need all the moral support I can get,’ said Tori.
‘We’ll be there to cheer you on,’ said Rose.
‘And I take it you’ll be inviting a certain firefighter?’ said Jess.
‘Yes, I think so,’ answered Tori, the warmth in her cheeks rising.
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Rose.
‘I really hope he can make it,’ replied Tori.
‘Well, if he can’t, he’ll have me to answer to,’ said Rose in her sternest teacher voice.
As she finished her hot chocolate, Tori realized that if Leo couldn’t make the soft launch, the whole thing would seem a little bit less shiny.
When Tori arrived at the Apple Tree on Thursday evening, she was relieved to see that Rose, Jake, Jean and Leo had already grabbed a table and Grace, Maggie and Jess were at the bar. Even Pete and Beth had taken a break from bartending duties to join the group.
‘Tori, Joyce! Over here!’ called Rose, waving at them.
‘I’ll grab us a couple of Diet Cokes, love,’ said Joyce, heading for the bar.
‘Hi, everyone!’ said Tori, automatically pulling up a chair next to Leo. ‘Wow, what a great turnout.’
‘Well, it’s a great cause. Everyone knows what a brilliant job Izzy does,’ said Leo.
‘And how overworked she is too, poor dear,’ added Jean.
‘Thanks for coming, everyone. As you all know, we’re going to team up with New Beginnings and we’d love to try and support Izzy and the rescue as much as possible, so we’re going to start with a coffee morning once we reopen, but I’d love to do more if possible.’
‘We’re going to be selling branded merchandise at the café when we reopen – mugs, jute bags, that sort of thing, with a percentage of the profits going back to New Beginnings as well,’ explained Joyce.
‘Oh, I love that idea,’ said Maggie. ‘We’d be happy to stock them at the shop too.’
‘That would be great, thanks, Mags,’ said Tori, pulling out her notepad and scribbling away.
‘Simon and Anya couldn’t make it tonight, but I can ask them if they’d do the same in the Pink Ribbon,’ said Jess.
‘We’ve got a collection box at the café, but I wondered if some of the other shop owners might take one too?’ said Tori.
‘Definitely. I’ll let Izzy know we can take a couple and put them on the bar,’ said Beth.
‘I’ve got another idea… I’ve been looking up recipes fordog and cat treats – I thought I’d do a few trial batches. I was thinking we could package them up and sell them on behalf of the rescue?’ said Joyce.
‘Brilliant!’ said Rose. ‘If you need any taste testers, I’m sure Scout, Tagg and Finn would be willing volunteers.’
‘You’re on,’ replied Joyce. ‘I’ll pop over to the farm when I’ve got my first batch.’
