Page 34 of Be More Octopus

'Monday afternoon and Tuesday all day. I'll come back on Tuesday evening or possibly Wednesday morning.'

'Excellent. Why don't you take Em? She could take some photos of you in your office. That might help you decide on your portrait background. And you were talking about seeing some exhibitions, weren't you, Em.'

Em had mentioned going to the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, but that was weeks ago. Nancy remembered everything. But the bigger issue was spending a large chunk of two days with Jack. She was getting more attracted to him than ever. She wasn't sure she could trust herself alone with him. She imagined what Lucy would say when she told her. Something along the lines of ‘Get in there and take your best lingerie’. 'I'm sure Jack will want to be on his own, and I've work to do here as well.'

'Nonsense. I'm sure he'd love to have you there. It's a big flat with three bedrooms, so he can still have peace and quiet to work on his book. And you needn't worry about the work here. No one's booked the extra maid service that week, and I can keep on top of the admin while you're away. So that's decided then. More wine, anybody?'

'It would be lovely if you came with me. But only if you want to,' Jack said, looking at Em kindly.

Should she say yes? She was supposed to be making a fresh start and having new experiences, after all. 'I haven't been to London since I moved back to Birmingham four years ago.'

Olivia looked horrified. 'You poor girl. Then you absolutely must go. I can't imagine being away from town for that long. I love it here, but I don't know how Nancy spends so long in such a sleepy location. I would die being in Dashford for any length of time. I need London's energy and vibrancy to keep me alive.'

'Not everyone thinks that way, Mother. Some of us enjoy the tranquillity.'

Olivia laughed. 'You take after your father. He is a country bumpkin at heart. That's why he's ended up in the middle of nowhere with that red-faced milkmaid of a woman.’

'My stepmother's family owns half of Oxfordshire,' Jack said to Em, smiling. 'I don't think she's spent too many early mornings in a milking parlour, just in case my mother gave you a different impression.'

Olivia looked disapproving and changed the subject, 'So what are we doing to keep us occupied tomorrow, Nancy dear?'

Having turned down dessert, Em and Jack left Nancy and Olivia deciding between wild swimming or driving to Penzance for a helicopter ride to the Isles of Scilly. 'They'll never settle for a nice cup of tea and a scone at a country house, will they?' Em looked amused as she and Jack walked across the courtyard in the twilight.

'Only if it involved learning to sword fight or abseiling down a castle wall.' He laughed.

'I hope I'm like them when I retire.'

Jack smiled. 'I hope you're a bit calmer than that. I don't think I could cope otherwise.'

An interesting thing to say. He must've realised how it sounded because he was definitely slightly redder in the face than he had been a few seconds earlier.

'Blushing suits you too, Jack.' Em said as she waved him good night.

'There you go then. He's thinking about the two of you growing old together.' Lucy could barely hide her excitement when Em updated her via FaceTime later.

'Thinking about it and doing something to make it happen are two entirely different things.'

'You're not feigning disinterest any more, I notice.'

'No, I admit I'm attracted to him. And the more time I spend with him, the more I realise he might be my ideal man. I've never felt that before.'

'There must be something wrong with him?'

'Oh great. The minute I say I'm interested, you start looking for reasons to slag him off.'

'No, it's just he can't be perfect. No one is.'

'My only issue is his reluctance to do anything about it.'

'I can understand him being reluctant to make a move in Devon when Nancy is pushing him in your direction. But we'll see how long he can resist you when it's just the two of you in London. Have you got any decent lingerie?'

'I knew you were going to say that. I'm not going to throw myself at him. I'm just going to enjoy the trip, and if anything comes of it, so be it. Technically, he is still married, remember.'

'But he's trying not to be! And it's not as if he's playing the “my wife doesn't understand me” card while the wronged wife sits oblivious at home. Olivia and Nancy both think she's a nasty piece of work as well. Anyway, how's his portrait coming along? Based on your previous experience painting a fit man, you might not have to wait until the London trip to get some action.'

Em didn't want to think about that. 'Let's stop talking about Jack. How's the slagging off the stag weekend planning going?

'It's all in hand. Nothing for you to worry about. Only two weeks to go!'