Page 75 of Be More Octopus

So that's why she was so chirpy. 'Wow! I'm pleased for you. This weekend?'

'Yes! We're going to be very busy with your friend Lucy coming as well. Come here, darling girl. I'm so glad our paths crossed.' Nancy gave her a big hug. 'You're the daughter I never had.'

And Nancy's the mother I wish I'd had. Em teared up. She held her breath for a moment to get back in control.

Nancy must have noticed. 'Come on. We haven't got time for sentimentality. I need to get Mark's room ready. Would you be an angel and give me a hand?' Nancy passed Em a tissue and headed out of the kitchen.

Mark's bedroom was at the far corner of the house, with windows overlooking the garden and out over the fields to the sea in the distance.

'How long since he lived here?'

'Nearly 16 years. Once he left university, he officially moved out, but I kept his things so he'd feel at home whenever he visited.'

Despite the antique furniture and the expensive-looking drapes and bedding, there was still a studenty feel to the room, thanks to the bookcase full of mismatched books and folders, and the desk in the corner with a notice board above it. Em went to have a closer look.

'Is that Jack?' she said, pointing to a photo of two small boys in shorts and t-shirts standing on a rock.

'Yes - and that's Mark next to him.' Mark, slightly shorter than Jack with curly mid-brown hair, was holding a fishing net while the young Jack was carrying a bucket and spade. 'They used to spend hours rock pooling.'

There were loads more photos of their teenage years and early twenties, by the look of it. Em smiled at the pics of Jack looking less than sober in various bars, and holiday photos from loads of locations. But her eyes kept being drawn back to a sunny shot of the two of them looking tanned and ripped on a tropical beach. Were those abs still hiding under the loose shirts Jack favoured?

'Em?'

'Sorry, what did you say?'

Nancy looked amused. 'I said they were carefree times - I hope we recapture some of that this weekend.'

She handed Em a set of clean bedding. 'Let's get it done, shall we.'

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Friday dawned sunny and warm. A busy day for Em. Changeover day for Wisteria Cottage, and Lucy was arriving for the weekend too. The sound of a car driving into the courtyard distracted Em from the bookings spreadsheet on Nancy's laptop. They weren't expecting any guests until mid-afternoon, it was too early for Lucy, and Jack was collecting Mark from the airport later. Em looked at the security camera app.

Someone had parked a large black Range Rover in the courtyard. Em watched as the driver got out. The camera footage wasn't clear, but Em could tell it was a woman with blonde hair and a haughty demeanour. She looked very familiar. Em went out through the side door into the courtyard.

'Excuse me,' the woman shouted across to Em.

Yes, it was Isabella. There was no mistaking that harsh voice demanding immediate attention. 'I'm looking for Jack - Jack Carver?'

Isabella walked towards her. 'Don't I know you from somewhere?'

'And you are?' If Isabella didn't recognise Em, then Em wasn't going to show she knew who Isabella was - no need to inflate Isabella's ego any further.

'Mrs Carver, Jack's wife.' Short, snappy and to the point, emphasising the word 'wife'. She looked Em up and down, giving off an air of disapproval.

'He's not here,' Em said calmly.

'I remember now. You told me that bullshit before when I met you in London. Do you think I'm a complete fool? His car is parked right there.' Isabella pointed to the Volvo. 'Where is he?'

There was no point lying. 'He's in the village. He'll be back later.'

'How much later?'

'I don't know.' Em was lying now. Jack had said he'd be back by 11 am, but Em wasn't going to tell Isabella that. She hoped if Isabella thought he would be hours, she'd go away.

'I will wait in the car for as long as it takes.'

Without as much as a thank you, Isabella turned and strode purposefully back to her car. Her stilettos caught in the gaps in the gravel, ruining the haughty effect, much to Em's amusement.