Page 40 of Be More Octopus

'Thank you. I'd love you to be there. Most of them seem to have titles. It's intimidating.'

'Why? They're just human beings. They'll love you. We all do.'

'Do you?' Why did you say that? You've made him feel awkward again!

'Yes, we all do,' he said thoughtfully. 'I'll get some drinks.' He quickly strode into the cafe.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Monday morning. Em had packed her overnight suitcase ready for the trip to London last night. The train times were awkward, so Jack decided to drive.

'It's a long way - are you sure?' Em would have preferred to go by train. It would give them more opportunities to chat. Connor was not a big talker when he was driving on long journeys. She wondered if Jack would be the same. He'd been reasonably talkative on their day out the previous Sunday, but this trip was much longer.

'Yes, we can take a couple of breaks. I've done it plenty of times before.' Jack said, putting their luggage in the boot of his car.

It was sunny again. Em sneaked a look at Jack, looking cool behind the wheel in his shades as they pulled out of Dashford Grange's drive at 7.30 am.

'If the traffic's good, we should get to Nancy's flat in plenty of time for lunch. There's a little bistro that does tapas just around the corner. Will that suit you?' Jack asked.

'It sounds lovely, but is it safe to go out?'

'I don't think Isabella is planning to kidnap me. I hope not, anyway. '

By midday, they were driving through the outskirts of London, and it wasn't long before the satnav announced they had arrived. Jack neatly parallel-parked on the street. He looked at his watch. 'Perfect. We've got more than enough time to unpack and get something to eat.'

Em looked up at the 1960s brutalist building which dominated the road. 'Is this it? I was expecting an old house conversion.'

'Nancy inherited the Grange, but this one she and Xander bought themselves. I think Xander wanted something more modern than the big house.'

A few minutes later, he was leading Em into Nancy's flat on the second floor. It was spacious and as expensively decorated as the house in Devon, though in mid-century sleek furniture in keeping with the architecture.

'Nancy has excellent taste,' said Em.

'This was more Xander's home than hers, though it was her family money that bought it.'

It must be the flat where Xander had died.

'You pick a bedroom.' Jack put their bags down in the hall. 'Let me know which one you want, and I'll put your case in there.'

Em hesitated. She didn't want to sleep in the bed where Xander had taken his last breaths. It might be best to avoid the biggest bedroom.

She inspected the first one. Small, with a double bed and not much else. A bit too cosy.

The next one had a king-size bed, a balcony with a fabulous view over the square, a freestanding bath and an ensuite shower room. It must be the bedroom where he had died, though how had someone handcuffed him to the plain fabric headboard?

Jack walked into the room. 'Nancy completely redecorated, including buying a new bed.'

'How did you know what I was thinking?'

'Because everyone who comes here for the first time looks like they're wondering about it.'

'I've never asked Nancy about Xander. Mary told me the gory details.'

'Mary takes great delight in telling everyone at the first opportunity. That's why Nancy let her go. She didn't want any more of her business spread around the village.'

'Nothing to do with dogs or soup tureens, then?'

'Those accidents didn't help, but they were just timely excuses.'