Page 16 of Be More Octopus

'I'll put all this back in the kitchen.' He picked up the tray. 'Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. See you soon.'

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

'Hello, you.' Jack's cheery voice echoed across the courtyard.

Em looked up from her novel and smiled. 'Hello.'

It was Monday lunchtime. After spending the whole of yesterday resting her ankle in her flat, Em had come outside to read in the shade to stop herself from going stir-crazy.

'How's the ankle?' Jack walked over to the bench where she was sitting. He was wearing pale blue jeans coupled with a battered pair of walking boots instead of his chinos and brogues.

'Getting better, thanks. I can manage without the stick now, but the marathon training will have to wait.'

'You're planning on running a marathon?' He looked impressed.

'No, I was joking. 5k is my limit. I used to enjoy running back home, but it's too hilly around here for my tastes. Are you off out?'

'I'm going to walk down to the beach. I should be working on my book, but it's such a lovely day it seems a shame to waste it stuck at my desk.'

'I can understand that. I was desperate to get some fresh air.'

'It'll be even fresher by the sea. Do you want to join me?'

Em hadn't risked driving yet with her dodgy ankle, even though it felt much better. It had only been two days since her fall, but she was already missing her daily walk along the beach. Even if she could only manage a short distance, it would be good to get down there again, but there was no way she could walk the mile and a half into Dashford and back again. 'Thanks, but I don't think my ankle is up to walking that far.'

'We can take my car?'

An opportunity to get to know Jack better or re-reading Persuasion? Lucy would say it was a no-brainer. 'If you're sure that's ok. I'll go and change my shoes.'

Jack's driving was a lot calmer than Nancy's. Em relaxed in the passenger seat and concentrated on enjoying the view to take her mind off how close together they were as they drove in companionable silence down the narrow lanes towards Dashford.

She noticed Jack's left hand on the steering wheel - no wedding ring. Not that that meant anything. And it's irrelevant, her inner voice nagged her. She wondered how it would feel to stroke his leg like she used to stroke Connor's when he was driving. What are you thinking? Stop torturing yourself.

'Sorry I've spoilt your walking plans,' she said as Jack pulled into the last space in the seafront car park.

'It's good to have some company. I wouldn't have offered otherwise.' That smile. 'I've done that walk so many times. Missing it once doesn't matter.'

'You've been here before then?' Em asked as they got out of the car.

'Yes, didn't Nancy tell you? She is best friends with my mother. We often spent the summer holidays here when I was a child. We used to stop in the main house then. Pa would come and visit at weekends. Happy days.' He seemed wistful.

That explained his familiarity with the kitchen layout on Saturday. 'Happier than now?' Em couldn't help being curious about his current situation.

'Yes.' He looked as if he was about to say something else but changed his mind. 'Shall we head down to the beach?'

The tide was out, so the surface was mostly compacted, damp sand. It should be more comfortable to walk on than the hard concrete esplanade. Her walking boot should support her ankle.

'Will you manage the steps?' he asked.

'I think so. Let's see.'

She used the handrail to take most of the weight on her right-hand side. When she wobbled slightly, Jack put his hand on the small of her back to steady her. It felt very reassuring. There were some advantages to having an injury.

'Have you seen the old wreck?' Jack asked as a pensioner glided past on a mobility scooter on the promenade above them.

Em looked puzzled. She didn't think Jack was the sort who would be offensive.

Jack laughed. 'The shipwreck!'