Page 99 of Be More Octopus

Dear Nancy,

Thank you for putting me up, or should that be putting up with me for the summer. I've appreciated it very much.

I know I said I was stopping until the first week in September, but something unexpected has happened, and I need to go back to London this afternoon. I've left the cottage tidy - not too much to do to get it ready for the next guest.

Hopefully, you'll have time to pop in and see me when you're next in town.

I'm sorry I didn't have time to say goodbye properly.

Love always,

Jack x

'Do you know what happened?' Em could feel the panic rising in her chest.

'Sorry, I've no idea. I only came back ten minutes ago. Hopefully, nothing to do with that wretched Isabella. I still have the photos if she is playing up.'

Em checked her phone. No text. No WhatsApp message. No voicemail.

'I suppose I've been busy with the guests until now. I hope he's ok.' Em was trying to make sense of it all. Why hadn't he come to find her before he left? What was so urgent that he needed to return home on Saturday afternoon?

Nancy tried to reassure her. 'I'm sure he'll phone you later. He'll be in the car now. You know it takes hours to get to Camden.'

Em looked at the big kitchen clock. 5.10 pm. He'd be on the road until 9 o'clock tonight, at least. But he wouldn't be able to drive all that way without at least one break. If she texted him now, he'd have a chance to reply when he stopped for a coffee.

Her thumbs hovered over the screen, unsure what to type. She finally settled on

Nancy showed me your note. Hope you're ok. If you need me to do anything, let me know. Xxx

Avoiding the L word. Not too soppy. She pressed the send icon. No point waiting for the three dots. It would be ages before he'd have a chance to reply. She put her phone in her back pocket and drummed her fingers on the worktop.

'Are you going to be on edge all evening?' Nancy asked.

'Probably. Until I know what's happened.'

Her phone buzzed. Nancy looked up.

'It's only a text from Connor.'

Both of them looked disappointed.

Where can I eat around here?

Em replied:

There's a pub 5 minutes walk down the hill.

Connor's answer was almost instant:

Want to join me as Jack's not here?

Em suspicions were raised. Why would he know that? 'I'm just going over to my flat, Nancy. I have a horrible feeling Connor has something to do with Jack's departure.'

When Em walked through her front door, Connor was sprawled on the sofa, television on, channel hopping.

'How did you know Jack wasn't here?' she demanded.

'Good afternoon to you as well.'