Page 7 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
Tori sat quietly for a moment.
‘But MumlovesRyan. She’ll be heartbroken,’ Tori replied.
‘I think her opinion of him will change pretty quickly when she hears how he’s treated you. I know mine has,’ Rose said firmly.
‘I guess,’ said Tori, shrugging.
‘I know,’ replied Rose, taking Tori’s hand. ‘You just have to bite the bullet and tell her the truth. She’ll be on your side.’
‘But what if this whole thing is just a silly wobble and I work things out with him?’
‘And you think it could be?’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Tori, dropping her head. ‘It all happened so suddenly; I don’t feel like I’ve really processed it. I keep checking my phone and he’s not been in touch. No phone calls, messages… nothing. I’m determined not to be the first one to make contact.’
‘Even so, Tori, I don’t think you can keep something like this from your mum. She knows you too well – she’ll figure it out. She’ll understand.’
‘You’re right,’ Tori agreed, relaxing slightly as she sat back in her chair. She blew her nose hard. ‘Thanks, Rose, I can’t tell you how much better I feel for sharing all this with you.’
‘Glad I could help,’ said Rose. ‘Now get these Bourbons down you, you look like you could do with a sugar fix.’ She smiled, offering the plate of biscuits to Tori. ‘You know, just because Ryan wasn’t the one, doesn’t mean your perfect man isn’t just around the corner—’
‘No way!’ Tori replied sharply. ‘I’m done with men…’
‘Ah, you say that now but when your perfect guy—’
‘I’m serious, Rose, I’m not looking to dateanyoneright now. Mr Darcy could literally walk through that door’, she said, gesturing towards the kitchen door, ‘and I’d tell him to get lost.’ Rose rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. ‘I mean it, Rose, Ernie’s pretty much the only guy I want around, and he has fur and a tail.’ And, as she said those words out loud, Tori realized that she had never been more serious about anything in her life.
Chapter 4
When Tori returned to the Cosy Cup, her mum had already opened up and was busy dealing with the mid-morning rush.
‘Oh, Tori, thank goodness. Can you make a start clearing tables four and eight for me?’ Joyce called from behind the counter where she was busy making lattes at the coffee machine. Every table in the tearoom was occupied and Joyce looked rushed off her feet. She had a pencil tucked behind her left ear, a notepad wedged into the waistband of her apron and her face was red with exertion.
Tori made quick work of clearing the tables that had empty cups and plates on them, piling everything up onto one tray and taking it through to the kitchen.
‘Mum, why’s it so busy? It’s only Monday morning.’ she said as she returned to the counter.
‘The WI have just turned out from the village hall; they always pile in here for a cuppa and catch-up after their meetings.’
‘Just tell me where you want me and I’ll pitch in,’ saidTori, grabbing herself an apron from the hook next to the cash register and tying it around her waist.
‘I was hoping you’d say that, love. Can you get these coffees over to table seven? And then take the orders from tables one and six – they’ve been waiting ages.’
‘I’m on it.’ As Tori took a tray of lattes over to table seven, she was greeted by three familiar faces beaming up at her.
‘Tori dear, it’s lovely to see you home again,’ said Jean Hargreaves. Although in her early eighties, you’d never have guessed it. Her grey hair was stylishly cut into a mid-length bob and she was wearing an emerald green chiffon top with a necklace in the exact same shade.
‘Hi, Jean. I’ve just been catching up with Rose at the cottage – I can’t believe she’s back!’ said Tori, placing the coffees down on the table.
‘Oh, I’m over the moon to have her here, dear. I can’t tell you how much her being around has lifted my spirits. Jasmine Cottage feels like a different place with her and Scout there and it’s not just me rattling around,’ Jean said, her eyes glowing. ‘But how are you? How were your travels, dear? We’ve all missed you.’
‘Oh, good. Really good. I’ll come over and tell you about it properly when things aren’t so hectic here,’ said Tori.
‘Oh, to be young and off having adventures,’ said Jean, with a wistful look in her eye.
‘And you’re feeling better, are you? After your fall?’ Tori asked.
‘Oh, that,’ Jean said, waving her hand dismissively. ‘I’m right as rain, dear. Don’t you worry about me.’
