Page 94 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Exactly. I’m going to send you a couple of links to drinking fountains for cats; some cats prefer to drink from flowing water, which might encourage him to drink more frequently.’
‘Ernie has one of those at home – he loves it! I don’t know why I didn’t think to get one for the café. Thanks, Grace, honestly, I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know there’s nothing seriously wrong.’
‘You can come and pick him up whenever you’re ready – he’s itching to go home,’ Grace laughed.
‘Aw, bless him. I can’t wait to see him. I’ll be straight over to collect him and pay the bill. Thanks again for today,’ said Tori, ending the call.
‘Well?’ said Rose, leaning in towards her.
‘It’s good news. All his bloods are normal. Grace thinks it could just be dehydration, so I’ll order some water fountains so he drinks more.’
‘That sounds promising, though, right? Something easily fixed?’
Tori nodded. ‘Let’s hope so,’ she said, crossing her fingers.‘Do you mind if I get going? I want to go and pick him up. By the sound of it, he’s itching to come home.’
‘No, of course not, I’d be the same if it was Scout. And good luck for your date; I want to hear all the juicy details.’
‘Okay,’ said Tori, embracing Rose tightly. ‘Thanks for today, talking’s helped. I’m lucky to have you.’
‘Likewise.’
When Tori arrived back home with Mr Wiggles, Joyce was waiting to greet them. Tori had called ahead to let her mum know that he’d had the all-clear from Grace, but Joyce had insisted on staying on at the café after closing to welcome Mr Wiggles home.
‘Oh, there he is,’ said Joyce, pressing her hand against the metal grille at the front of the carrier to give Mr Wiggles a scratch.
‘He’s loving that, I can hear him purring already,’ laughed Tori.
‘Thank God it was nothing serious. We’ll just have to cross everything that we don’t have a repeat performance.’
‘I don’t know why I didn’t think to get water fountains for here, especially given how much Ernie loves his. I’m going to order a couple tonight and hopefully he’ll be tempted to drink more,’ said Tori, opening the basket to release Mr Wiggles. Angel trotted over and he rubbed his head against hers, purring loudly.
‘Aw, how lovely. She’s certainly pleased to see him,’ said Joyce, smiling.
‘She’s not the only one; I couldn’t wait to get him back home either.’
‘Oh, I’m so attached to all of them now; I think I’m going to find it harder and harder each time one of them is adopted.’
‘I know what you mean, but we’re just a stepping stone for them on the way to their new lives, aren’t we?’
‘That’s a great way of looking at it, love. A stepping stone,’ Joyce repeated.
‘And Izzy will always have new cats for us to take that need a helping hand too.’
‘True. But I still think I’ll shed a tear when Mr Wiggles leaves for his forever home.’
‘Me too; he’s made quite the impression already.’
‘Oh, what are we like, love? said Joyce, pulling a tissue out of her sleeve and blowing her nose hard. ‘Now don’t you have a date that you need to be getting ready for?’
Tori had spent over an hour getting ready for her date with Leo. Finding the right outfit had been far more difficult than she’d imagined. She wanted to look her best but nothing she’d pulled out of the wardrobe so far felt quite right. Why hadn’t she bought something new? She cursed under her breath. She had planned to wear her favourite blue and white dress but was horrified to find she couldn’t zip it up. All those cakes at the café must be catching up with her. There was a tap on her bedroom door.
‘How’s it going, love?’ asked Joyce.
‘Don’t ask,’ Tori huffed. ‘I was going to wear that blue and white dress, but it won’t even do up!’
‘Well, you can’t do anything about that now. Let’s find you something that will blow Leo’s socks off.’
‘Unless he goes for girls in jeans and old T-shirts, I’m going to be out of luck,’ replied Tori, shrugging.
