Page 92 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Good. I’m glad. For what it’s worth, I’ve always believed in you,’ said Rose, seriously.
‘Ah, but you’re my best friend – that’s your job,’ said Tori, as Rose poured her some tea.
‘You’ve had an epic showdown so I’ve added extra sugar,’ said Rose, passing her the mug.
‘That’s the second cuppa I’ve had today overloaded with sugar, I’ll be bouncing off the walls soon,’ said Tori, taking a large swig. ‘Mmm, I needed that.’
‘Me too; running around after a class of eight-year-olds usually has me ready to collapse in a heap by six o’clock.’
‘Honestly, I don’t know how you do it.’
‘Oh, I love it really. It’s just been a long week. What are you up to tonight? Fancy the pub with me and Grace?’
‘I’m waiting on a call from Grace actually – Mr Wiggles is with her. He had a funny turn today, so she’s running tests,’ Tori explained.
‘Oh no! I hope it’s nothing serious. When will you know?’
‘I’ll give her another call before I leave here,’ said Tori, checking her phone again.
‘Listen, if you’re not up for the pub tonight, I totally get it.’
‘I can’t, I’ve got plans tonight…’ Tori looked away, unable to meet Rose’s eye.
‘Who with?’ asked Rose.
‘Erm…’ Tori pulled at a loose thread on her sleeve.
‘With Leo?’
‘Erm…’ Tori hesitated.
‘Itiswith Leo, isn’t it? I can tell by your face!’
‘Okay, itiswith Leo,’ replied Tori.
‘I knew it!’ yelped Rose gleefully.
‘Oh, stop! You’re as bad as Mum. She did a terrible job of hiding her excitement when I told her this morning.’
‘I thought something’s been going on between the pair of you for the last couple of weeks…’
‘It’s nothing really. I mean, we’ve only kissed once—’
‘What? You’ve kissed? How did I not know this?’ asked Rose, leaping up off the sofa. ‘This ishuge!’
‘But you just said you knew there was something going on!’
‘Oh, I was bluffing,’ said Rose, tutting. ‘I can’t believe you’ve actually kissed! I totally called it,’ she squealed.
‘Alright it’s just a kiss, that’s all. We’ve not even been on a proper date yet.’
‘But tonight’s an official date?’ asked Rose.
‘Yeah, I guess so,’ said Tori.
‘You could sound a bit more excited about it, you know,’ Rose said reproachfully.
‘Oh, I am, or at least I think I am,’ said Tori, ‘but all this stuff with Violet has got me kinda preoccupied and I’m so worried about Mr Wiggles.’ Tori glanced at her phone again.
