Page 121 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Seeing as my work here is done, I’ll head up to the barn and start setting up for tonight,’ said Jake, pulling on a baseball cap and grabbing his sunglasses from the table.
‘Thanks, Jake,’ said Tori, ‘I mean it – thanks for listening.’
‘Anytime,’ he replied, the three Border Collies following closely behind him.
Tori, Rose, Jake and the rest of the volunteers had transformed Harper Farm into a stunning party venue. The dance itself was taking place in the main barn, which Tori now barely recognized, such was the extent of its transformation. Jake had arranged hay bales, so that everyone had somewhere to sit, the WI had decorated tables at the back of the barn, with wildflowers in tiny milk bottles and corn dolliesdressed in mini farmer outfits, ready for food to be brought out on later. Joyce had been baking all morning at the café and Tori knew Jean’s WI ladies were great cooks, so she couldn’t wait to see what they were going to bring too. Jess was going to be selling the Cosy Cat’s branded merchandise to help raise funds and the stall was stocked with mugs, bags and coasters, as well as batches of their homemade cat and dog treats, which had been packaged up in cute brown paper bags decorated with tiny pawprints. Jess had even drawn a series of limited-edition sketches of the cats to sell, calling them ‘Paw-traits’, much to everyone’s amusement. Tori had already decided she would be buying Mr Wiggles’ portrait to display in the café and had asked Jess to draw Ernie too. Grace and Rose had spent an age tying strings of fairy lights around the wooden beams and filling jam jars with tealights to use as makeshift lanterns. Now, with dusk beginning to fall, the band had arrived, and the space looked truly magical.
‘Well done everyone!’ cried Mrs Connolly, clapping her hands to attract everyone’s attention. ‘I’d say that’s a wrap, wouldn’t you, Jake?’
‘Absolutely – thanks so much for all your help this afternoon. You’ve just got time to go home if you want to change before the party starts!’ The volunteers gradually began to filter out of the barn and Tori saw that Claire was making a beeline for her.
‘Tori, hi! Can I have a word?’ Claire asked.
‘Look, sorry I’ve not replied to your messages, life has been a little crazy recently.’
‘I’ve got to know Ryan the past few days and I just don’t understand what’s wrong with you, Tori. Why won’t you take him back? As far as I can see, he’s bending over backwards trying to make things right with you.’
‘What?’ said Tori, shocked. ‘I can’t see what business it is of yours.’
‘You should count yourself lucky he’s trying to win you back, rather than throwing yourself at Leo. It’s not a good look, Tori,’ said Claire, staring daggers at her.
‘Everything okay?’ Rose interrupted.
‘Yep,’ Claire nodded, through a tight-lipped smile. ‘I need to get going anyway.’
‘What on earth was all that about?’ Rose asked, watching Claire walk away.
‘She was giving me a lecture over Ryan. I should be grateful he wants me back apparently.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yep. I thought she’d understand why I’d be cautious about him but obviously not. Maybe I’ve got her all wrong.’ Tori shrugged.
‘How are you feeling about things?’ Rose whispered. ‘Any idea what you’re going to do?’
‘I’m going to play it by ear. I’m so nervous about seeing Leo but I’ve not told Ryan about tonight; he’s bound to have seen the posters up in the pub, though, so I’m guessing he might turn up. The thought of seeing them both together feels pretty nerve-racking,’ she said, clutching her stomach. ‘I feel like I owe Ryan the chance to try and put things right.Talking to Jake helped, though, and I know I just need to be honest with Ryan and with myself. I need to be sure about what it is I really want.’
‘And you’re not?’
‘I don’t think so, no,’ Tori said, shaking her head.
‘Maybe everything will feel a bit clearer if you do see Ryan tonight? Trust your instincts, Tori, they won’t let you down,’ said Rose with a nod.
‘I really hope you’re right, Rose…’
And with that, Tori went home to change.
Chapter 36
When Tori arrived back at the barn an hour later, she spotted Ryan immediately. She had hoped when she saw him again that her gut instinct would help guide her, but she was still feeling as confused as ever.
‘Wow, Tori, you look amazing,’ he said, walking slowly towards her.
‘Thanks,’ said Tori, her legs feeling a little shaky. ‘I couldn’t decide whether to wear a Cosy Cat or New Beginnings T-shirt, so Jess had this one made with both logos. Isn’t it great?’
‘Yeah, it looks really cute on you,’ said Ryan, smiling. ‘Drink?’
‘Yes, please.’
