Page 98 of Be More Octopus

'I wanted to ask you a favour.'

Nancy looked concerned. 'Much as I enjoyed his description of the Morris Dancing festival, I don't want him in my house.'

'I wouldn't dream of asking you to put him up. But I wondered if I could stop in one of your spare rooms while Connor slept in my flat?'

'I thought you might have somewhere else to sleep.' Nancy raised her eyebrows and gave Em a knowing look.

Em blushed. 'You don't miss anything, do you?'

'I may be old, but I'm not blind. I saw Jack leave your flat this morning. It's about time. I'm pleased for you both.'

'I didn't want to presume Jack would take me in.'

'He's a hot-blooded male. Of course, he'll take you in. Especially if it keeps you away from your ex - though I don't think there's much competition. But if you want a backup plan, you can use the room next to Mark's. Though no taking Jack up there. It's frustrating enough being on my own without having to listen to other people having sex all night. I had enough of that last weekend with Lucy and Mark.'

An interesting revelation. So that's why Lucy hadn't heard Em crying last Saturday night. Something to follow up with Lucy later. But right now, Em needed to concentrate on getting Connor sorted.

The heat was getting oppressive. Thirty-two degrees Celsius, according to the weather app on Em's phone.

'Connor, will you be much longer?' Em shouted through her bathroom door. Today's guests were due in half an hour, and she was desperate to wash and change, ready to greet them.

The sound of the shower stopped, and the door opened. Connor stood there stark bollock naked.

Em rolled her eyes. 'If you think waving your cock around will change my mind, you've got another thing coming.'

'Don't flatter yourself - I need a towel.'

'In the cupboard behind the door.'

He shut the bathroom door again. Em heard the airing cupboard door open and close.

Connor emerged a few seconds later, suitably covered up. 'It's all yours.'

Em walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. She undressed, turned the temperature down on the shower, and got under it, letting the cool water wash away the stress. Jack should be back soon, so once the guests were settled in, she could relax with him. Perhaps they could pick up where they left off this morning. She got a warm glow at the thought. She better get a move on. She didn't want to be late. She picked up the shower gel and squeezed it onto the sponge. A tiny drop came out, accompanied by a horrible squelchy noise. Connor must have finished off the bottle.

'Connor!' She shouted. 'Can you get me a new bottle of shower gel, please? It's under the kitchen sink.'

'Just a moment, sweetheart. I will be right with you. I can wash your back if you like?'

Sweetheart? Backwashing? Was he going to have another go at charming her?

'Thanks for your kind offer - but no thanks.'

He knocked on the door a couple of minutes later. She drew the shower curtain around herself, opened the door slightly and took the bottle off him.

'Thank you.'

'Any time.' He grinned. No, it was more of a smirk. What had she ever seen in him?

CHAPTER SEVENTY

'Have you seen Jack? I was expecting him to be back by now.' Em had gone over to the main house when she couldn't see his car in the courtyard.

Nancy peered over her glasses at her. 'He's been and gone. Didn't he tell you?'

She handed Em a handwritten note. 'This was on the kitchen island along with his key.'

'Key?' Em read the note.