Page 70 of Be More Octopus

Nancy chuckled. 'I love my portrait, and so do all the others who've seen it. Even Nigel was impressed when I sent him a photograph. He's usually the first to find flaws in anything. So I don't think it's at risk of being damaged by an irate art critic with a cake fork or any other item of cutlery, for that matter. '

'I know it's mad. On Monday night, I dreamt I didn't get any enquiries, and you were annoyed with me for wasting your time. And on Tuesday night, I got so many enquiries I was writing them all down incorrectly, and everyone was angry with me and phoning up later to cancel their orders. It was like being back in the call centre again. It was so stressful I woke up in a cold sweat. Then I went back to sleep and dreamt everyone died from inhaling poisonous fumes from the frame.' Em laughed at the number of things she was finding to worry about.

'You've taken overthinking to a new level,' said Nancy. 'Just relax. Whatever happens, I can catch up with some old friends, and a few more people in Devon will be aware of your artistic skills.'

They heard a car door slam in the courtyard. Nancy looked out of the bedroom window. 'You have one less thing to worry about. Jack is back.'

Em walked over to the window. He must have sensed her watching. He looked up and smiled. Not his usual megawatt smile. It looked a little uncomfortable if anything. But perhaps she was imagining it or projecting her own guilty feelings onto him. He was sporting a deep brown tan. He hadn't spent the whole time in Italy indoors then. Perhaps the woman he was with was the outdoorsy type? That conjured up a load of images that she didn't want swirling around in her head.

Jack unloaded his suitcase from the boot of the car and headed towards his cottage. He wasn't rushing in to see her, then.

Em went back to helping Nancy.

'I think that's everything done now,' said Nancy.

Em looked at the gorgeous sunshine outside. Exercise might help her relax. 'I'm going to go for a walk on the beach. I'll be back in time to help you sort out the drawing room.'

'Hello, you.' Jack pulled out the chair next to Em outside Mary's cafe. 'Nancy said you might be here,' he said, sitting down.

'You're looking well. Italy suited you.' She was pleased he'd come to find her. He still didn't seem like his usual self, though.

'Hmm. I guess. I needed a break. It was all a bit confusing here.'

'Confusing' was an interesting word to use. 'I thought we weren't supposed to be seen together in public.' Em said.

'I've changed my mind. Is that allowed?'

'Isabella hasn't put me on a mafia hit list, then?'

'I hope she hasn't. When I thought about it, I figured she's more likely to go for me first - she can claim my life insurance payout then.' He did a half laugh, but the expression in his eyes was serious. 'How was Newquay?'

'Fun.' Em didn't want to offer any more details. Better to keep off that topic completely. 'How was Italy?'

'Fun.'

So he was playing the same game, but she was dying to know more. 'Nancy said you were stopping with a friend out there?'

'Yes, someone I used to be at university with. Clara's got her own holiday home in Tuscany. She invited me for a few days.'

'That's lucky, getting an invitation like that.'

'It wasn't luck. I phoned her.'

So he was making a point that he'd deliberately made contact. Now it was Em's turn to feel confused.

'Lots of sunbathing, by the look of it?' she said.

'Some. Not much sunbathing for you in Newquay?'

'No, it was sunny, but Lucy kept us so busy there wasn't time.'

'And Karl's not into sunbathing, I suppose? I guess he has to be careful with tan lines in his line of business.' He gave her a long hard look.

'Yes, probably.' How did he know about Karl?

Jack must've read her mind. 'I saw some of your friends' Instagram posts.'

Oh god. What had they posted? Em had checked Lucy's feed, which wasn't incriminating, but she hadn't bothered with everyone else's as they kept their accounts private. She vaguely remembered them taking photos with Karl. One of them must have accepted Jack as a friend.