Page 104 of Be More Octopus

'Let's just say I've made sure Olivia knows you're still single and nothing was going on between you and Connor. So I'm confident she will have passed that message on. She really likes you.'

Em ought to be pleased they were on her side, but Jack would see that as Em manipulating his family. And what if she invited Jack and he didn't show or, worse still, he turned up but refused to talk to her? 'I'd rather invite you or Lucy. It's only fair since my work wouldn't be in the exhibition if you hadn't intervened.'

'If I remember the small print correctly, you're allowed up to four guests in addition to the sitter, so we can all go.'

'I'll think about it.'

'Don't think for too long.'

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

Em did think about it. She thought about very little else over the next three days. While a small part of her was furious with Nancy and Lucy for putting her in this predicament, she had to admit she was pleased to have another opportunity to try to get Jack back. But she needed to talk to him before the opening night to find out where she stood. A botched reunion in public would be embarrassing.

She tried phoning Jack, but it went straight to voicemail. He probably had her number blocked, despite Nancy saying he'd answer now.

No point using Nancy's mobile or landline as he was ignoring her too. Then she remembered the advice she had given Connor. She googled how to hide her caller ID. It was simple to do. She phoned Lucy to test it.

'Hello.' Lucy's posh voice. She never used that when she was speaking to Em. It must have worked. May as well have some fun with it.

Em put on her best Black Country accent. 'It's the Wolverhampton Sexual Health Clinic here. I'm afraid one of your ex-boyfriends has come in for treatment, so we need to test you.'

There was a moment of silence.

'Ok. What has he got exactly?'

'Restless cock syndrome.' Em burst out laughing.

'Emily Gillespie, you bitch. Why aren't you calling from your phone?'

Em was sitting on her sofa, her heart in her mouth as Jack's number rang out. After ten rings, it went to voicemail. Damn. She didn't leave a message.

She tried again a few minutes later - the same result. She remembered Jack telling her he often took a break at 12.30 when his morning meetings and seminars were over. She'd give it another go then.

Nancy was out at her pilates class which she usually followed with coffee with one of her friends, so Em was alone all morning. She spent two hours attempting to do admin. It was the longest, most tedious morning of her life.

As soon as the old grandfather clock in the hallway struck half past twelve, Em picked up her phone and dialled.

'Hello.'

He'd answered straightaway. Her heart started racing. She couldn't speak.

'Hello. Who is this?' He sounded out of breath. She pictured him walking up the stairs to his office on campus. Get a grip; otherwise, he will think it's a spam call.

'It's Em. It's work-related. Please don't hang up.' She said it quickly, trying to get it all out before he had time to think about pressing the red button to end the call.

He didn't respond, but he didn't hang up either.

'Lucy and Nancy entered your portrait in a competition.' She was speaking more calmly now. 'It's been shortlisted for a prize, and there's going to be an exhibition. The organisers would like the sitters at the opening night, if possible.'

She heard a woman's voice in the background. 'We're going to be late.'

Jack responded. 'I'm coming.'

'I can't talk now,' he said into the handset. 'Can I phone you back?' His voice was abrupt.

'Yes, please.'

'I don't think I've got your number any more.'