Page 96 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘That was unexpected,’ said Leo, pushing her hair off her face.
‘I don’t know what came over me,’ she muttered.
‘Well, whatever it was, I’m glad,’ he said, leaning forward to kiss her again. ‘Are you sure we have to go to dinner? We could just go back to mine…’
‘Hey!’ She tapped him playfully on the arm with her clutch bag. ‘Let’s have dinner first, see where the evening takes us.’
‘Shall we go and find this restaurant then?’ he said, taking her by the hand.
‘Let’s, I’m starving,’ she agreed.
The waiter seated them at a window table in the Purple Prawn, and Tori’s eyes widened as she scanned the room and took in her surroundings. The walls were painted in various shades of lilac, cream and purple and adorned with brass sea creatures. Across the whole of the back wall, the wordsGo Wild Under the Seawere stencilled in huge white letters. The tables were set with tiny purple lanterns and napkins with lobsters printed on them in gold leaf.
‘Wow! This place is amazing,’ she said as the waiter handed them menus.
‘It’s got really good reviews; I’ve been wanting to try it for ages. It’s pretty… quirky,’ Leo said, looking around the room.
‘I love how they’ve done it out; it’s got such a great vibe.’
‘I’m glad you like it,’ said Leo, reaching across the table for her hand.
‘I do. Thanks for organizing tonight.’
‘Seafood’s always a winner in my book. You can’t live by the coast and not love it, right?’
‘Absolutely. Let’s get a look at this menu and see what sounds good.’
After devouring starters of king prawns and crab and amain course of lobster and scallops, Tori felt as though she couldn’t eat another thing. The food was as amazing as Leo promised it would be.
‘I can’t believe I’ve eaten so much! I won’t fit in the cab on the way home at this rate,’ she said, clutching her stomach.
‘Hardly! You look stunning,’ said Leo, giving her a look that made her insides soar.
‘You don’t look so bad yourself.’
‘I’ll take that,’ said Leo, squeezing her hand. ‘How are things going with the barn dance, by the way? I keep meaning to ask. I know I’ve not been much help; work has been keeping me pretty busy recently.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. The planning is coming along nicely; Mum’s been a great help and Rose and Grace are pitching in too. It’s all under control.’
‘Good to know,’ said Leo. ‘Let me know if there’s anything I can do.’
‘I will. I’m guessing you know Rye well if this is where you’re based for work?’
‘Pretty well, although I don’t get as much time to explore as I’d like while I’m working.’
‘Too many cats-in-tree emergencies to deal with?’ she said playfully, taking another glug of her wine.
‘Rye has more emergencies to deal with than you might think for such a small town…’
‘Like?’
‘Well, road traffic accidents for starters; we get called out to some pretty nasty ones with all the narrow country lanesaround here. The locals drive too fast, and the tourists don’t know the roads which means…’
‘Oh God, Leo, sorry, I didn’t think. That must be awful. I honestly can’t imagine dealing with something like that. I’d go to pieces.’
‘It’s what we’re trained for, I guess, but it can be a lot to deal with sometimes. Certain incidents can just… well, they leave a mark.’ She noticed the muscles around his jaw line tighten and she reached across the table and took his hand.
‘It’s amazing work you do, though, helping so many people.’
