Page 105 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘I wish,’ said Izzy, shaking her head. ‘No, it’s mainly callsasking us to take animals in. We’re completely full, but I can’t bear to turn any of them away, especially if they’re hurt or abandoned.’
‘Oh God, Izzy, I had no idea things were so difficult,’ said Tori.
‘Oh, it’s always bad this time of year. It’s kitten season for starters so that means we’re taking in way more expectant mums than we usually would. It makes it tougher for the older cats to find homes too, as they’re competing with the cute, fluffy babies.’
‘Can I help?’
‘Tori, you already have. You’ve got five cats in the café – that’s freed up five spots at the rescue so we can take new ones in.’
‘Well, Valentine’s leaving us today, aren’t you, little man?’ said Tori, scooping the small grey cat up in her arms. ‘So that means we’ve got a space here. Can we take another?’
‘You know, that’s what I was going to ask. If you’re sure that is?’
‘Absolutely! Everything is going well, I think. The cats are getting along, they’re happy and love meeting the customers, though we’ve had a few teething troubles,’ she said, her mind turning to Daisy’s disappearance and Mr Wiggles’ vet visit, ‘but nothing I can’t handle.’
‘I was hoping that’s what you’d say,’ said Izzy, visibly relaxing. ‘I’ve got the perfect candidate in mind too. Pablo. He’s a little black cat and he’s been with us for ages. I’ve no idea why – he’s affectionate, confident, gets along well with everyone, no medical problems either.’
‘I’ll never understand why people overlook the black cats,’ said Tori, setting Valentine, who was getting squirmy in her arms, back on the floor.
‘They just aren’t as popular unfortunately.’
‘Well, we’ll happily take him and I’m sure he’ll fit right in with this lot,’ she said.
‘Perfect, I’ll bring him over tomorrow if that works?’
‘I can’t wait to meet him!’
‘He’s a sweetheart, you’ll love him. How’re things going with the barn dance? Anything I can do?’
‘I’d say you’ve got enough on your plate right now. Everything’s coming together nicely: Jake’s friend is sorting the music, Jean and the WI ladies are on the case with the food and we’ve got an army of people signed up to help us set up on the night.’
‘That’s brilliant! Sounds like you’ve got everything in hand.’
‘I think so. People have been really supportive; I’m hoping it’ll raise a good amount for the rescue.’
‘Fingers crossed,’ said Izzy. ‘We could certainly do with it right now. How’s Mr Wiggles doing, though? Any more incidents?’
‘Did Grace explain what happened?’ Izzy nodded. ‘Well, I think she was right, it was down to dehydration. He definitely prefers drinking from the fountain, so hopefully that’s problem solved.’
‘Excellent. Grace is usually spot on, to be fair.’
‘She’s great, isn’t she?’ Tori agreed, reaching for her phone which had buzzed with a message. It was anotherone from Claire.Just heard you went on a date with Leo. I thought I’d warned you about him? I’d steer well clear, he’s not a good guy.
‘Everything okay?’ Izzy asked, reading the expression on Tori’s face.
‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ said Tori, placing her phone face down on the table with a shrug. She couldn’t understand why Claire was so interested in her love life. Didn’t she have better things to worry about?
Tori and Izzy spent the next half hour, before the café opened, going through the adoption paperwork for Valentine. The cats made a beeline for Izzy, which she put down to having a pocketful of cat treats.
At ten o’clock on the dot, Simone and Tom arrived, Simone clutching a pink and grey cat carrier.
‘Hello, you two,’ said Tori, opening the door to let them in.
‘Sorry if we’re a bit early, we’re too excited!’ said Simone, smiling.
‘I know, me too!’ replied Tori. ‘You’re our first official adoption and we’re so pleased Valentine has found such a wonderful home.’
‘Lovely to see you again,’ said Izzy, shaking first Tom’s, then Simone’s, hand.
