Page 82 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
Of all the customers that had passed through the café’s doors during opening week, there was one in particular who had caught Tori’s attention. She’d been in every morning at the same time, sitting at the same table by the window. She always ordered a pot of tea and a fruit scone: jam, no butter.She was always immaculately dressed and sat quietly looking out of the window with Mr Wiggles curled up on her lap. Tori had discovered that her name was Cora, but beyond her name, Tori knew very little about her. Joyce hadn’t seen Cora in the village before either. If she lived locally, wouldn’t she have visited the café before now? Tori didn’t want to pry, but she was intrigued.
‘Morning, Cora,’ said Tori, as she approached her table, order pad in hand.
‘Good morning.’
‘I see Mr Wiggles has found his usual spot,’ she said, pointing at the cat, who was sleeping soundly in Cora’s lap.
‘Oh, yes. I think we’re friends now. I’ll have—’
‘Your usual? A pot of tea, a fruit scone, jam, no butter?’
Cora nodded.
‘Coming right up.’ Tori walked through to the kitchen. ‘A pot of tea—’
‘I’m one step ahead of you, love,’ said Joyce, nodding towards the tray she’d started preparing. ‘I saw Cora come in.’
‘She’s a creature of habit, isn’t she?’
‘I could set my watch by her.’
‘And Mr Wiggles seems to love her… Hey, I wonder if she’d think about adopting him?’
‘Maybe, but don’t go forcing the idea on her.’
‘But she might not realize the cats are adoptable? I could just mention it, in passing.’
‘You’ve got about as much subtlety as a sledgehammer!’
‘Hey, I can be tactful!’
‘Hmm… best get that pot of tea over before it goes cold.’
Tori picked up the tea tray and walked back to Cora’s table.
‘Here we are – one tea, one scone, jam, no butter.’
‘Thank you,’ Cora replied.
‘You know,’ said Tori, tucking her order pad back into her apron pocket, ‘all of the cats here are available to adopt. We’re working with New Beginnings rescue—’
‘Adopt a cat?’ said Cora, stiffening slightly while holding her teacup in mid-air. ‘I don’t think so.’ She nudged Mr Wiggles off her lap.
‘They make great companions, if you’re on your own, I mean…’ Tori added quickly.
‘And what would you know about it?’
‘About what?’
‘Living on your own.’
‘Oh, well, I don’t really…’ Tori trailed off.
‘Well then, I suggest you stick to serving tea instead of offering unwanted advice.’ Cora turned her head away to look out of the window towards the village green.
‘Oh God, sorry. I didn’t mean to…’ Tori stuttered, a wave of nausea washing over her. Cora was right – who was she to be offering anyone advice? She walked back to the kitchen, banging through the doors as she went.
‘Careful!’ said Joyce, looking up at Tori, concern flashing across her face. ‘Hey, what’s wrong, love? It’s not Violet Davenport again, is it?’ she asked, throwing down her tea towel and making towards the door. ‘Maggie said she was inthe shop again yesterday telling anyone who’d listen what a terrible idea the cat café is.’
