Page 107 of Be More Octopus

Something about Nancy's expression gave Em the idea that she might be about to shift her matchmaking efforts to getting her fixed up with Ben. She could do without that. But a personal trainer would be helpful to get her back into running. Em could afford to try a few sessions, at least.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

Nancy booked the taster session on Em's behalf, and the following Tuesday, Em headed over to the main house in her running gear.

Walking into the kitchen, she saw a man filling a water bottle from the fridge water dispenser. He must be Ben. From the back, she could tell he was well over six foot tall with short medium brown hair and a very cute arse. It bugged her that there was something incredibly familiar about him.

Em took a sharp intake of breath as soon as he turned around. Of course he looked familiar. It was Karl! He grinned at her. Clearly, Em's presence wasn't a surprise.

'Em!' Nancy walked in looking hot and bothered. 'Let me introduce you to Ben. We've just been doing interval training on the beach. He's worn me out.'

'He's very good at doing that.' Em was trying to work out what was happening.

'Do you two already know one another?' Nancy asked.

Karl/Ben jumped in before Em could answer. 'Yes, we met when Em was in Newquay.'

'How lovely. What a small world. I'll let you two catch up while I have a shower. See you next Tuesday, Ben. Same time?'

'Yes, 10 am is fine.' Karl/Ben said.

Nancy left the kitchen.

He went to say something, but Em put her finger to her lips. She waited until she heard Nancy's bedroom door shut. 'Why are you here?'

'I'm training Nancy for her Kilimanjaro trip.'

'No, I meant in Dashford. It's a sleepy backwater compared to Newquay. Did you run out of women to take back to your lair?' She gave him a cheeky grin and folded her arms.

'My friend wanted her apartment back, and I fancied a change of scenery.'

'I thought you said she wasn't coming back until Christmas?'

'She came back early. Unfortunately, so did her husband.'

'Is that why you're Ben now? In hiding?'

'I've always been Ben. Karl was my naked chef name. The company made us use different names so we wouldn't have clients trying to get in touch outside work.'

'And you didn't think to mention that to me before?'

'Just like you didn't correct me when I thought Jack was your ex.'

So he knew more about Jack now. 'What has Nancy told you?'

'That you and Jack were meant for each other, but other people kept getting in the way. And now you've split up.'

'I'm not so sure about the 'meant for each other' part any more, but the rest is true.'

'I'm sorry.'

'And now I have to see him again at an art exhibition.'

He looked puzzled. 'Nancy didn't mention that.'

'It's a long story.'

'I've got time to listen. Sometimes I think I should retrain as a therapist. My clients share a lot when they're training. Shall we get down to business?'