Page 90 of Be More Octopus

'That won't be necessary. How you spend your time is nothing to do with me,' Em managed to say in her breeziest voice. 'Everyone ready for dessert?'

Lucy had packed her bag and was standing in Em's hall.

'I'm sorry how things have worked out. I hope he has a shitty date with Daisy and comes running back to you.'

'Que sera sera. I'm not going to get upset by it.'

'Aren't you?'

'I shall probably sob into my cocoa tonight, but I'll get over it. If he's going to be a moody sod, he doesn't fit in with my grand plan.'

'It's a bit hot for cocoa. I'd try a G&T or three. Remember, the octopus.'

Em smiled. ‘Have fun with Mark.’

'I don't know what you mean,' Lucy said with a smirk on her face.

The thunderstorm had blown over. Mark was already in the courtyard hugging Nancy.

'You will come home for Christmas,' Nancy said. 'It's been horrible without you.'

'Yes, I'll be back before then, I think.' Em noticed him exchanging a look with Lucy.

Jack was hanging back.

Mark went over and gave him a man hug.

'Don't screw things up,' she overheard him say to Jack.

'What's that meant to mean?'

Mark looked over at Em, who was helping Lucy load her bag into the car boot.

'Pick the right woman this time.'

Jack ignored his comment. 'Have a good flight.'

'See you, Em.' Mark smiled and waved at her as he got in the passenger seat.

'It was good meeting you, Mark. Hopefully, I'll see you again soon.'

Em stood next to Nancy, as they both waved Lucy and Mark off. Jack kept his distance.

'I've got some urgent work to do,' Nancy said, hurrying into the house, leaving Jack and Em alone, no doubt deliberately.

Jack looked like he was going to say something, then changed his mind and walked back to his cottage.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Monday afternoon. Em was working on a new landscape painting to replace the ones that the gallery had sold last week. She stood back to look at it. She’d planned to paint a sunny day, but it kept turning into a storm. Time to put the paints away until she was in a better mood. A text from Lucy popped up on her phone.

Any news on Jack?

Em sighed and started typing her response.

No - his car wasn't back till 8 am this morning. Haven't seen him all day.

Em had noticed Jack's curtains were still closed at lunchtime. He couldn't have had much sleep last night. She didn't want to dwell on why that might be.