Page 116 of Be More Octopus

'Clara.' Jack looked uncomfortable. 'I didn't know you were going to be here.'

'It's lovely to see you again. Could I interview you about your portrait?' She was stroking his arm, with her back mostly turned towards Em, behaving as if Em was invisible. So rude!

'You should be interviewing Emily.' Jack looked apologetically at Em.

Em mouthed “Thank you” at him. Jack eased away from Clara's touch and put his arm around Em's shoulder.

'Oh yes, I'll be doing that too.' Clara looked at Em as if she were something she'd found stuck to her shoe.

'Can you interview me later, please?' Jack said. 'There's something I need to discuss with Em.'

'Of course.'

Em could tell from Clara's tone that she wasn't happy with Jack giving her the brush off, but Clara wasn't going to give up that easily. 'Perhaps we could go for a drink afterwards? Pick up where we left off on Tuesday?' Clara looked as if she was about to devour him.

Jack looked even more uncomfortable. 'No, sorry, not tonight.'

'I'll text you.' She walked off, giving Em another filthy look.

Did Clara say 'on Tuesday'? She wasn't referring to their summer dalliance in Italy then. Jack must be seeing her again. So he wasn't missing Em that much. What did she expect? It had been nearly four months since Jack had dumped her. Em felt disappointed, which was crazy. Why do you care? No more Jack, remember? Em slid away from him.

'I better go and talk to my other guests,' she said, quickly walking away.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

Lucy looked at Em as she walked towards her. 'How did that go?'

'Where's Ben?' asked Em.

'He went to the gents.'

'I need to go somewhere quiet,' Em was trying to keep her composure.

'I'll come with you.'

They found the women's toilets at the back of the gallery. It was very plush with individual towelling flannels to use as hand towels and Molton Brown toiletries. There was an ornate chaise longue in the corner, perfect for sitting on while you were waiting for a friend or, in this case, being comforted by a friend while you were sobbing your heart out. Lucy did a quick check to make sure no one else was there.

'I'm so confused. I don't even know why I'm crying. I didn't want Jack back.' Em's tears were easing off now. 'I was coping until I saw him, and then it looked like he wanted to get back together. And I suddenly felt desperate to try again. And then Clara fucking Benetti stuck her oar in.' Em filled Lucy in on the conversation between Jack and Clara.

'It doesn't sound like he's that keen on Clara.'

'Keen enough to shag her again.'

'When did she say they were together?'

'Tuesday.'

'The day you posted that half-naked photo of Ben on the Dashford Grange Instagram account. It did get a lot of likes. With all that activity, Jack’s bound to have seen it on his feed.’

'So Clara's my fault again? Is that what you're saying?'

'No. For all we know, he's been screwing loads of women.'

'What a comforting idea. Remind me why I'm friends with you?'

'Sorry, I'm trying to think.’ Lucy looked serious. ‘It might have been a reaction to seeing Ben. Clara seems to be his default revenge fuck. We ought to feel sorry for her.'

'So I'm supposed to see it as a sign he still cares? It's completely turned me off him, using another woman like that. It's such a mess.'