Page 9 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘But I’m shattered, Mum,’ said Tori. She really didn’t want to get in any deeper with her lies and dragging herself around the show home would only make things worse. She’d still heard nothing from Ryan; she needed to face facts and drop the idea that he’d come after her, realizing he’d made a dreadful mistake. It was time to be straight with her mother, to tell her the truth. ‘Mum, listen—’ But before she could begin to explain, Joyce was already walking briskly towardsthe sales office. ‘Oh God,’ Tori groaned, doing her best to unfasten her seat belt and catch up with her. But it was too late – Joyce had already opened the door and was shaking the hand of the suited man behind the desk. She’d have to keep up the charade a little longer. She took a deep breath, plastered on her best smile and followed Joyce into the office.
‘Ah, you must be Tori,’ the man said, holding out his left hand for Tori to shake. ‘I’m Dan, Dan Carver. It’s a starter home you’re interested in, is it? For you and your partner?’
Tori opened her mouth but no words came out. She closed it again.
‘Yes, that’s right,’ Joyce answered, giving Tori a shove with her left elbow. ‘It’s a two bed we’ll need to look at…’
‘Perfect, that will be the Bedford then. The show home is stunning, they’ve really thought of everything when it comes to space,’ said Dan, handing Tori a glossy brochure. ‘If you buy off-plan you’ll be able to choose your own kitchen and bathroom design too, which is a huge bonus.’
‘Ooh, wouldn’t that be lovely, Tori? You could have your pick of any colour scheme you like.’
‘Great,’ Tori agreed, nodding.
‘We’ve got four plots left for the Bedford, so that would be numbers 84, 88, 90 and 96, and you’d have the option of being mid or end terrace,’ Dan explained eagerly, pointing at the site map with his pencil. ‘Of course, the show home itself will be available in a few months’ time, so that could be an option too.’
‘Uh-huh,’ Tori nodded.
‘Let me just grab the keys and we’ll get started with the tour,’ said Dan, reaching over to the cabinet behind his desk. ‘This way, ladies,’ he continued, opening the office door and leading the way along the path.
‘Isn’t this exciting?’ said Joyce, linking her arm through Tori’s. ‘Just think, this could be your first proper home.’
As they walked into the house, Joyce oohed with delight. The front door opened straight into a spacious living and kitchen area, which was decorated in shades of cream and grey, with a large plush corner sofa occupying one side of the room and fluffy rugs covering the dark wooden flooring. The dining table had been set up with plates and glasses as though it was ready and waiting for guests to arrive. It looked like something out of a magazine. It was stunning. It was everything Tori had imagined her first home with Ryan would be. A home that she knew she would never share with him.
Tori couldn’t hold it in any longer. She felt the pressure building in her chest, her breathing became faster and shallow, and she was aware of a wet track of tears running down her face. Her sobs gathered force, becoming more audible, until both Joyce and Dan turned around.
‘Tori, love, what on earth’s wrong?’ Joyce said, putting her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I can’t do this, Mum. It’s all… lies,’ Tori mumbled in between sobs.
‘What’s lies? What are you talking about, love?’
‘Er, I think I’ll give you two a minute, shall I?’ said Dan,backing away quickly. ‘I’ll be in the office if you want to talk figures,’ he continued, exiting hastily through the front door.
‘Everything is, Mum. Nothing I’ve said since I got home is true.’
‘But I don’t understand,’ said Joyce. ‘Let’s sit down, shall we?’ She guided Tori towards the sofa and passed her a pack of tissues she’d dug from her handbag. ‘Just take a minute and calm down. Whatever’s wrong, we can fix it.’
‘That’s what Rose said you’d say,’ Tori said, sniffing. ‘She said I just needed to be honest with you and you’d understand.’
‘I’ll always understand, love. But first, don’t you think you’d better explain what all this is about?’
Tori hesitated.
‘It’s me and Ryan, Mum. We’re… over. He dumped me, last week. I just couldn’t bear to tell you.’ Tori dissolved into sobs.
‘Oh, love, come here,’ said Joyce, pulling Tori in towards her for a hug.
‘I’m so sorry, Mum. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone and then I just couldn’t face telling you in person either. You were so…happyand I just… well, I guess I didn’t want to ruin it. I thought he’d realize he’d made a mistake and we’d work things out. I didn’t want you to think badly of him, I guess. Then you offered to pay the deposit on a house, and I just got in deeper—’
‘Oh, forget all that,’ said Joyce, waving her hands in the air.‘What happened exactly though, love? Why on earth would he end things? I thought things were going so well between the two of you?’
‘I don’t even know myself, not really. It was totally out of the blue – I can’t explain it. I don’t know what I did wrong…’
‘Hey!’ said Joyce, her tone suddenly stern. ‘I’ll not have you talking like that – I’m sure it’s nothingyou’vedone. Don’t start second-guessing yourself, okay? All that matters to me is that you’re happy.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Tori sniffed.
‘And as for a house, the offer stands. If you still want a place of your own, I’ll help you with the deposit when the time comes.’
