Page 87 of Be More Octopus

'You're more worried by the coat than the hoover?' Jack said.

They watched the clock tick around for at least an hour.

Em started to nod off on Jack's shoulder. She felt him put his arm around her.

'Lucy Thomson?' a nurse shouted. Em was suddenly wide awake again.

'Do you want me to come with you?' Em offered.

'No, it's fine. You look comfortable there. Don't move.'

'I'll come with you,' Mark volunteered.

Em was sure she heard him say, 'I don't want to play gooseberry' to Lucy as they walked away.

'Did you ask them to do that?' Jack asked.

'Do what?'

'To give us some time alone.'

'No. I thought you must have said something after your plan was foiled.'

'My plan? You're the one who insisted on our evening out.' Jack laughed.

'No, you did. Lucy said you came over to suggest we all went out.'

'Perhaps I should ask a doctor to look at you as well. You seem to have forgotten the text you sent me this afternoon.'

'The last text I sent you was to check you were ok this morning.'

'No.' Jack looked genuinely concerned. 'Don't you remember suggesting we go out?'

She shook her head. Em was starting to doubt her own memory now.

Jack got out his phone and showed her the message thread. After his shopping list text, there was a reply from Em:

thanks for the list darling id love to go out this evening, how about a meal at Sashas xx

Jack:

Much as I love spending time with you, it seems a bit off leaving Mark and Lucy alone.

Em:

they could come to

Jack:

OK. I'll see what I can do. Are you alright?

Em:

yep - looking forward to seeing you xx

'I didn't send those. Look at the spelling and the punctuation.' Em got out her phone to check. Yes, there were the same messages.

'I did think that was odd, but I thought you might be tired from last night. So who did send them then?'