Page 43 of Be More Octopus

'Yes. That's not my book.'

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

'Been busy, I see?' Jack had just returned to Nancy's apartment after his lecture and a brief visit to his own flat to pick up any post. He leaned on the island between the kitchen and the dining room, watching Em make a pot of tea.

'Yes, I thought I'd make the most of the shops.' Em looked over at the pile of bags on the kitchen floor: books, art materials, and a new dress. Having a free afternoon in London had been too much temptation after the limited offerings of Dashford shops - the house deposit saving fund would have to wait this month.

And she'd taken Lucy's advice and treated herself to some new lingerie. After the looks she'd exchanged with Jack in his office earlier, he appeared to be having second thoughts about just being friends too. If she was right, she didn't want him running away at the sight of her functional, well-worn Marks & Sparks underwear.

'I thought you were going to the Summer Exhibition?'

'I didn't have enough time. I'll do that while you're lecturing tomorrow morning.'

Jack looked like he was debating whether to say something or not. Perhaps he disapproved of the mess.

'I'll put this lot in my room,' she said.

'No, no, it's fine.' He started drumming his fingers on the work surface. 'I um... I wonder if you would like to come with me to the cinema tonight?'

Considering they'd spent most of their evenings last week watching television together, she wondered why he was nervous about suggesting they go to see a film. Perhaps he's treating this as a proper date?

'They're showing a film about Mary Shelley. I thought you might enjoy it given your interest in early 19th-century women's literature.' Jack continued when Em didn't respond straight away. 'It was either that or Incredibles 2,' he added with a nervous laugh.

Full marks for remembering she'd been reading Jane Austen. 'That would be lovely. Mary Shelley, that is.'

He looked pleased.

The cinema was only a 10–minute walk away. Jack had mentioned that it did proper food and drinks so they could eat there as well, but he'd not said anything about the cosy two-seater sofas. He'd booked one on the back row too. It was looking like a date. Em sat down at one end of the sofa.

Lucy had texted her several times for an update on their trip. Em had time to reply just before they'd set out to the cinema. Lucy was ecstatic.

Mary Shelley had an affair with a married man. Jack's subtly trying to get you to do the same!

Em:

I don't think so. He's a historian. He probably watches this sort of film all the time. And what else are we going to do on a Monday evening?

Em wasn't quite ready to admit to Lucy that she hoped Jack would want to be more than friends this evening.

Lucy:

I can think of a few things - wink. And some steamy sex on the screen might get him in the mood to unfriend zone you.

Em:

It's a 12 certificate.

Lucy:

They're still allowed to include tasteful lovemaking.

Em hadn't thought about that. She wasn't sure how she'd feel watching the actors get their kit off with Jack next to her. There'd been none of that in the Nordic noir series they'd been watching together last week. But it was too late to suggest the Incredibles now.

'Food's on its way.' Jack handed her the mojito she'd ordered at the bar, then settled down next to her. The sofa wasn't big enough to allow them to sit together without their thighs touching. Not that she was complaining. It felt much more pleasant than the last male thigh that had been next to hers. Em shuddered at the memory of drunken Si that night in the pub garden.

Jack looked concerned. 'Sorry, it's a bit cosier than I remembered.'

He must have thought she was uncomfortable sitting this close to him. To be fair, it wouldn't have been this cosy when he was sharing a sofa with stick-thin Isabella.