A businesswoman who was seriously injured in a car crash and found out she had cancer in the space of a month is reopening her beloved café this week.
Tina Cruz, who owns Contrast in Watton, is determined to make the Portuguese café a success once again after a nine-month closure.
The 50-year-old is still recuperating but says she can't afford to have the doors closed any longer.
"It has been one thing after another. I just had to pray for the café to survive through the whole situation," said Ms Cruz.
"I'm still recuperating but financially we can't shut any longer.
"I just need to take it one step at a time."
Ms Cruz opened Contrast in Watton High Street in February 2020, offering something different to the culinary scene in Watton, bringing locals flavours from her home country.
A month later the Covid pandemic forced it to close its doors for much of the year but post-lockdown, the café grew in success and was a hive of activity in the evenings with its range of tapas dishes.
"We had lots of loyal customers and it was really well-received," said Ms Cruz.
But in April this year, she was seriously injured in a crash which left her with a broken sternum and unable to work.
A month later she suffered a further blow after being diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer, forcing her to close the café again.
"There was no other way but to close as it is a family-run business and I make all the food," she said. "My head was all over the place with all these challenges in a short period.
"My children have put their careers on hold to help me and my daughter will be helping me in the café.
"If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have coped."
Despite ongoing health challenges, Contrast opens its doors to customers again on January 14.
Ms Cruz added: "Since I've been ill with cancer, I've had so much support from customers who said they can't wait to come back.
"After everything that happened, we will take it one day at a time but I know it will be a success again."
Contrast will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm but will open later at the weekends.
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