Chapter 4
Bea had arranged to meet Tori from the Cosy Cat Café for a drink at the Apple Tree on Monday evening.
She’d spent the weekend researching business costs, running numbers and trying to come up with some kind of plan.
Finance wasn’t her thing, but she’d put her heart and soul into formulating options that would make Bea’s Book Wagon a reality.
She hoped Tori could help hone her ideas, one female entrepreneur supporting another.
‘Bea, hi!’ said Tori, as she approached the bar.
‘Tori, hi! Can I get you a drink?’ Bea asked, pulling her purse out of her bag.
‘A negroni would be great, thanks.’
‘Delicious! Can you make that two, please, Pete?’
‘Sure,’ said Pete, the landlord, taking two glasses and mixing their drinks.
‘Thanks so much for doing this, I really appreciate it,’ said Bea warmly.
‘No problem,’ replied Tori, waving a hand, ‘I’m intrigued to hear all about this business proposal of yours. I’m no expert, but if I can help, I will.’
‘I just want to pick your brain, really,’ said Bea, paying for their drinks and heading for one of the window tables.
‘Pick away,’ said Tori, pulling up a chair opposite her.
‘I love the Cosy Cat Café, you’ve done such a great job with it,’ said Bea, taking a sip of her cocktail. ‘All the cats are up for adoption, aren’t they?’
‘Yeah, we work with Izzy at New Beginnings Rescue Centre to try to find them their forever homes, and Grace at Brook House Vets helps with all the medical stuff.’
‘I love that!’
‘Thanks, it works well. We’ve rehomed over forty cats since we opened last year.’
‘That’s amazing,’ said Bea.
‘We do our best, but enough about that – fill me in on this business idea of yours. I’m dying to know all about it!’ said Tori, leaning in.
‘It’s all been a bit of a bolt out of the blue really,’ said Bea, quickly, ‘I’m not sure I’ve thought it through properly, if I’m honest. There’s so much to think about: budgets, logistics, insurance… I don’t really know what I’m doing—’
‘Bea,’ said Tori, softly.
‘Yes?’
‘Why don’t you take a breath and start at the beginning?’
‘Sorry, yes, I’m rambling…’ said Bea, flushing.
‘Not at all, just take your time and tell me everything,’ said Tori, encouragingly.
Bea explained the events of the past few days, from quitting her job to buying the horsebox. She showed Tori some screenshots of other mobile bookshops she’d found online and explained her vision for making Bea’s Book Wagon a success.
‘Looks like you’ve put a lot of thought into this, given the time you’ve had,’ said Tori, scanning the images on Bea’s phone. ‘These look great!’
‘I know, right? I’m hoping to create something similar, but there’s so much to consider and I don’t really know where to start. I know it’s not the same thing – a bookshop and a cat café – but I thought you might be able to tell me about some of the basics of running a small business?’
‘It can all feel a bit overwhelming when you’re just getting started, can’t it?’
‘Yes, exactly!’ Bea nodded. ‘Jess mentioned that you’ve got a business degree, too, so that must’ve been helpful?’
‘It was and it wasn’t,’ Tori laughed, taking a sip of her cocktail.
‘I knew where to start when it came to putting together a business plan, but the animal welfare regulations were a lot to get my head around, and then I had to get Izzy at the rescue on board with the idea, too, not to mention the rest of the village. Not everyone was keen on the idea of a cat café at first…’
‘Gosh, that’s an awful lot to sort out,’ said Bea. ‘I hadn’t really thought about that.’
‘Well, of course we already had Mum’s premises and an established café business, but I’ve got a business plan template I can email to you – that’ll be a good starting point.’
‘That would be great, thank you.’
‘Considering you only came up with the idea on Friday, I’d say the fact you’re already starting to get organized is pretty good going.’
‘Really?’ said Bea, eyes wide. ‘I wasn’t sure if it was a total madcap idea and I was wasting my—’
‘Bea?’
‘Yes?’
‘Would you take a compliment?’
‘Sorry,’ Bea replied with a shy smile.
‘And Bea?’
‘Yes?’
‘Stop apologizing.’
‘Ah, right, yes… sorry. Oh, I mean—’
‘Don’t worry,’ Tori smiled. ‘It’s fine. And as for it being a madcap idea…’
‘Yes?’ Bea whispered.
‘You’re talking to someone who opened a cat café, remember? I’m not sure it gets much more madcap than that,’ Tori laughed.
‘I suppose I’m in good company, then,’ Bea chuckled.
She liked Tori. There was something about her that made Bea feel instantly calmer, her initial nerves about sharing her plans completely evaporating. Tori reached over to peer at Bea’s phone again.
‘Can I see the photos again?’ Tori asked.
‘I’ve got so many ideas. I love this one here,’ Bea said, holding the screen up. ‘It’s got artificial flowers around the door – and look at the bunting they’ve used in this one,’ she said, swiping through the gallery of images she’d curated. ‘They’ve really inspired me,’ she paused.
‘I can see that,’ said Tori, ‘these all look pretty special.’
‘Right? I’ve been thinking about my life a lot recently.
I don’t have a job, a mortgage, boyfriend, kids…
any real responsibilities. I know buying the horsebox was an impulse, but I feel like this is it – my moment, I suppose – and if it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that can happen?
I get another job and I’m back where I started. I’ve got nothing to lose.’
‘You should be proud of yourself,’ said Tori, raising her glass. ‘You’re doing your own thing, not answering to anybody, escaping the nine-to-five for something you’re obviously passionate about. How many people can say that?’
‘I suppose so,’ Bea agreed, clinking her glass against Tori’s. ‘To taking risks!’
‘It’s not going to be easy, though,’ said Tori, her voice softening. ‘Running a business is tough, and starting from scratch on your own is even tougher. It was bad enough for me and I had Mum’s help; I wasn’t alone.’
‘Ah, yes, I see.’
‘I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, Bea, but it can be pretty brutal at times.’
‘No, I get it, I appreciate the honesty. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.’
‘Would you be up for getting another temp job, to tide you over financially in the short term?’
‘Yes, absolutely. I’m going to need to. I’m planning to work on the horsebox in my evenings and weekends at first, so I’ll need another income for a while. I was going to speak to the agency next week to see if they can find me something else.’
‘Well, I could do with another pair of hands at the café. Mum’s been wanting to take things more slowly recently; start easing herself into retirement. We were thinking about finding some cover so she could scale back her hours, so perhaps we could help each other out? Temporarily, at least.’
‘Wow! I don’t know what to say, Tori, that would be amazing!’
‘It might not be a permanent thing, but we’re always super busy in the summer, so how does thirty hours a week sound?’
‘It sounds fantastic! Honestly, Tori, I don’t know how to thank you.’
‘It’s my pleasure, you’re helping us out. Mum’s been wanting to work less hours for ages.’
‘I’d better phone Charlotte and tell her I’ll be taking the horsebox, then.’
‘No time like the present,’ said Tori. ‘You make the call, and I’ll get us another round,’ she said. ‘Same again?’
‘Ooh, yes, please! Although two’s my limit tonight – who knows what else I’ll buy on eBay if I have one too many.’
‘Ha! Good one!’ laughed Tori as she headed for the bar.
As Bea swigged down the last of her negroni, she felt happier than she had in months.
Between buying the horsebox and landing a job at the Cosy Cat, she was going to be doing something with her life, finally.
And she knew, deep down in the pit of her stomach, that after all the failed interviews and dreadful temp jobs, she was going to make it work – and that was huge.
‘You’re kidding,’ said Jess, when Bea called her that evening. ‘I can’t believe you’re going to be working at the Cosy Cat. Oh, Bea, I’m so happy for you!’
‘I’m so thankful you hooked me up with Tori in the first place. I hoped she’d give me some advice, but I never expected to get a job out of it!’
‘I’m just so pleased she can give you a bit of a helping hand. It’s perfect and it gives you loads of time to work on the horsebox.’
‘I spoke to Charlotte as soon as I left Tori’s and confirmed the transaction. Nate’s going to take me over there tomorrow to pick it up.’
‘It’s really happening!’
‘I know, I can’t quite believe it!’
‘Are you excited?’
‘Excited, terrified, overwhelmed… I’ve got all the feels.’
‘I bet. It’s all good though, Bea. And if you need me to lend a hand with a paintbrush, just shout.’
‘Thanks, I will! I’m planning to make a start at the weekend after my shift at the library. My mind’s literally buzzing with to-do lists and ideas.’
‘Mobile bookshop owner, barista, librarian – I’m so proud of you, Bea!’
‘Thank you!’
‘Have you told Archie about it yet? What does he make of it all? I’m assuming he knows you’ve quit your job?’
‘I don’t think so. He’s coming over tomorrow as well, so I’ll fill him in then. I’m hoping I can rope him and his mates in to help if I need it—’
‘Ooooh, tell him to bring Seb along, he’s hot.’
‘Jess!’
‘What? He is!’
‘Honestly!’
‘Well, it sounds like everything’s coming together nicely.’
‘I just hope I haven’t missed something fundamental that could ruin it all…’
‘Course not, everything’s going to be great!’ said Jess, reassuringly. ‘You’re bound to feel a bit nervous, it’s only natural.’
‘You’re right,’ said Bea, nodding in agreement. ‘I’m just overthinking things, that’s all. It’s going to be wonderful.’ And, as the words left her mouth, Bea knew that she really did believe them.