Page 77 of Be More Octopus

'Playing Isabella at her own game.' Em admired their ingenuity, but she was worried about Jack. 'Isn't that illegal, though?'

'No, no. She didn't take copies of Angelo's images. She checked Angelo's calendar to see when and where he'd got his next few liaisons with Isabella. Then she employed a private detective to get some photos we could use. Not as x-rated as Angelo's, but proof that Isabella and Angelo are an item. That's what I showed Jack just now. And those are what he's hopefully showing to Isabella.'

'How come Angelo didn't know that Olivia was Isabella's mother-in-law?'

‘Olivia removed all the photos of Jack and Isabella on display. And she always uses her maiden name, which wouldn't have meant anything to Angelo either.'

They heard the drawing room door open and the click of Isabella's heels as she marched towards the front door, slamming it as she went out.

Jack walked into the kitchen.

'Dear boy, you look exhausted,' Nancy grabbed his hand and patted it. 'Anyone would think you'd just done ten rounds with Tyson Fury. Did it work?'

He nodded. 'We've reached an agreement.'

'Marvellous. Will you give Olivia the excellent news, or shall I?'

'You do it. I need a few minutes to myself.' He looked like he was about to cry as he headed towards the back door.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Em decided not to follow Jack outside. She was desperate to know what had happened but didn't want to pressure him. And Isabella's Clara comment was bugging her. Em had ignored Lucy's Clara dossier, but she wanted to know what it said now.

While Nancy was busy on the phone in her study, Em found Lucy's email and started to read.

Clara Benetti, television presenter, 36, studied history at Oxford at the same time as Jack, divorced, no children.

No mention of any relationship between Clara and Jack.

Lucy had pasted in a headshot of Clara. Bleached blonde hair, brown eyes, attractive smile. She looked similar to Isabella. Perhaps Jack had a type - one that wasn't like Em.

Lucy had also included a link to a magazine article about Clara's Tuscan home. It was a double-page spread with lots of photos of Clara and her undeniably beautiful traditional Italian house, complete with a swimming pool and a hot tub on a terrace overlooking some spectacular countryside. A lovely location to top up a tan. She visualised Jack lying on one of the double sun loungers with Clara next to him, rubbing suntan lotion on his chest seductively. No, stop torturing yourself! He's not with Clara now. He's a few yards away in the garden.

Em made tea and went outdoors. Jack was sitting on the low wall at the edge of the terrace, his head in his hands.

'For you.' Em handed him a mug. 'Unless you want something stronger?'

He looked up at her. His eyes were red. 'No, that's perfect. Thank you.'

'Do you want me to leave you alone?'

'No. Take a seat.'

Em sat beside him. 'Nancy told me what your mother did.'

'I could have done without seeing those photos.'

'I know that feeling.'

He looked puzzled.

'Connor and Astra?'

‘Oh, of course! I know Isabella and I are over, but seeing her kissing another man still feels painful. Is that odd?'

Em shook her head. 'It all gets very confusing. Are you regretting splitting up with her?' Surely he wasn't thinking of giving Isabella yet another chance?

'No! Absolutely not. I guess I'm still in mourning for the relationship I thought we had. But she's agreed to a divorce now on the grounds of my unreasonable behaviour.'