Page 87 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘But they’re all under different names.’
‘That doesn’t mean anything, though, does it? I mean, anyone can open a fake email account and leave multiple reviews under made-up names. It would be easy enough. Plus, the way the reviews are worded, if you ask me, the same person wrote them all.’
‘But who would do that? It’s so mean.’
‘Can’t you think of anyone, Tori? No one that’s been against the refurbishment from the start? Even used the word unhygienic when she was bad-mouthing the Cosy Cat at the meeting in the village hall?’
‘You don’t mean—’
‘I do!’
‘Violet?’
‘Violet Davenport!’ said Rose, with a touch of triumph in her voice.
‘Seriously? You think she’d go that far?’ asked Tori, squeezing her eyes shut.
‘Why not? She’s been against the cats from the start; there’s no way she wants it to be a success. My guess is, she heard about what happened yesterday with Daisy and decided to use it to her advantage.’
‘That bloody woman! I’ve absolutely had it with her!’
‘You can’t let her get away with it.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, I won’t! I’m heading straight over there to have it out with her. Who does she think she is?’
‘She thinks she runs the village. She could do with someone standing up to her for once.’
‘Thanks, Rose,’ said Tori, her voice softening.
‘For what?’
‘For figuring it out. I don’t think I’d have worked it out on my own.’
‘You would have, and I spoke to your mum earlier – she agrees with me.’
‘You did?’
‘I had to talk to someone – you were still asleep.’
‘I’ll go and talk to her.’
‘Try not to worry – it’ll all sort itself out.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Iknowso.’
Tori pulled on her dressing gown, swept her hair up into a ponytail and rushed down the stairs, to find Joyce sat at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper, with a mug of coffee waiting for her.
‘I know, I know,’ said Joyce, holding up a hand to stop Tori before she could utter a word. ‘I’ve spoken to Rose. Sit down and drink your coffee before you go flying off the handle, would you?’
Tori pulled out a chair opposite Joyce and plonked herself down. Taking a long, warming sip, she could feel the effects of the caffeine hitting the spot.
‘What do you think, Mum? Could Violet be behind those reviews?’
‘I have to admit, it does seem like a bit too much of a coincidence to me that all the bad reviews appeared in one evening. But do me a favour, love, don’t go round thereshouting the odds before you’ve got all the facts. We can’t know for certain that it’s her.’
‘Who else in the village has got it in for me, though? It’s got to be Violet,’ said Tori, smoothing the tablecloth with her hand.
