Page 103 of Be More Octopus

'I've been over to Winton Hall again. Another sitting for their portrait.'

'Did the dogs behave this time?'

Em was producing a large portrait of Lord and Lady Dashford and their four boisterous cocker spaniels, who were adorable but completely out of control. She'd have to charge extra for dogs in future. 'No, it was crazy again. I turned Lady Mary into Cruella de Vil - not consciously, of course. I'll have to rely on photos for this one.'

Em started unloading her painting gear back into the flat. Working out how to deal with the dogs had put the letter out of her mind, but seeing it on the coffee table brought all the questions back. Perhaps Nancy would be able to shed some light on the mystery. Em went back outside.

'Nancy. A weird thing happened this morning. I got a letter telling me I'd been shortlisted for the Unity portrait prize.'

'Oh, that's fantastic news. Well done!' Nancy was thrilled.

'But the odd thing is I never submitted an entry.'

'Ahhhh,' said Nancy, looking slightly sheepish. 'Lucy and I might have entered it on your behalf.'

'Might have?'

'Well, we did.'

'Why would you do that?'

'Because you refused to consider it. And we both thought you were more than good enough. Looks like we were correct.'

Lucy's last visit to Dashford had been several weeks ago. She'd been trying to console Em after the breakup with Jack. Em vaguely remembered a conversation about painting competitions, but her mind had been all over the place at the time. She didn't want to bother with anything. It was enough of a struggle to keep her mind on the day-to-day stuff. They must have submitted the entry then.

At least it wasn't a scam. She should be thrilled at having her work exhibited in a top London gallery. And she would have been if only it weren't Jack's portrait.

'I am grateful, but why didn't you enter yours?'

'Who wants to look at a wizened old woman? Jack's is better, so emotional. And we thought he would be a more appealing subject, particularly with his television work. '

Em didn't respond.

'And it would be a good excuse to get you two talking to one another again.'

So they had another agenda as well. Were they in league with Jack, or was it all their idea?

'Did you tell him?'

'No. We thought it would be better if you did that.'

So he was oblivious to their plan, which put Em in an awkward position. 'Telling him will be tricky as he won't take my calls.'

'Have you tried recently?'

'No, the only thing I've been trying is to forget all about him.' She'd been doing well after the first few weeks until last Wednesday. She'd stumbled across one of his documentaries while channel hopping. She'd ended up binge-watching the entire series twice and wondering what might have been if Connor hadn't screwed it all up. Face it, Emily Gillespie, there is a big Jack-shaped hole in your life and not where Lucy would say it was either.

'Remind me when the exhibition is,' said Nancy.

'At the beginning of December.'

'So we've got several weeks to get him onside. He could be your guest at the opening night. He'll be promoting his new book in the spring, so he needs to start being more visible, and it gives him the ideal excuse to talk to you again without losing face.'

'Jack has never struck me as someone worried about losing face. And he made it clear he never wanted to see me again.'

'Time mellows people's feelings.' Nancy raised her eyebrows.

'Do you know something I don't?'