Page 117 of Be More Octopus

Nancy stuck her head around the door. 'They're getting ready to do the presentation. Elizabeth sent me to find you. Oh dear,' she said, seeing Em's face. 'We need to patch you up. I'll see if they'll postpone for ten minutes.'

'Do I look that bad?' Em asked Lucy.

'Right now, if you auditioned for a part as a zombie in The Walking Dead, you'd be a shoo-in.'

Five minutes later, Lucy closed her makeup bag and surveyed her handiwork. 'You'll do.'

'You've done wonders.' Em looked in the mirror again. 'I'm still a bit red around the eyes, but I don't suppose anyone will notice.'

They high-fived one another. 'Knock 'em dead,' Lucy said.

Which is precisely what Em thought Jack might be about to do to Ben as she and Lucy emerged from the toilets. She couldn't hear what Jack what saying, but he looked furious.

'Oh, my god.' Em rushed over as Ben started trying to placate Jack.

The security guard was also making a beeline for them as well. 'Gentlemen, please.'

His words seemed to break whatever spell Jack was under. He moved away from Ben. 'I'm sorry.' All eyes were on Jack as he walked quickly out of the gallery before Em could say a word. She needed to talk to him alone. Em started to follow him, but Elizabeth stopped her. 'We can't delay the presentation any further.'

'But I ….'

'You do need to be here. Emphasis on the “here”.' Elizabeth gave her a meaningful look.

'I'll see where Jack's gone.' Lucy hurried outside.

'What was all that about?' Em whispered to Ben.

'Jack saw me messaging a woman on Tinder.'

Em closed her eyes. 'Did you have to do that here?'

'It's a cold night. I'll need someone to keep me warm later. And it's obviously not going to be you.'

Em looked puzzled. 'Were you thinking that you and I would ….'

'It crossed my mind. You were adamant you didn't want to get back together with Jack again. But I can see that’s exactly what you do want. And I can safely say Jack still has the hots for you.'

'Why? What did he say?'

'He told me I was a fucking arsehole for cheating on you.'

'Did he really say 'fucking'?'

'Yeah, why?'

'He only swears when he's extremely upset.'

'When we're all ready,' Elizabeth glared at Em and Ben. Em felt like she was back in a school assembly. 'Clara Benetti will announce the winner.'

There was a polite round of applause as Clara took the microphone while Em tried to process everything Ben had said.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO

As soon as the award ceremony ended, Em grabbed her coat. She strode purposefully out of the gallery and around the corner into an elegant Regency square. She crossed the road and went through the gate that led into the garden in the centre of the square. A familiar figure sat in the middle of a bench illuminated by a street lamp, exactly where Lucy had said he would be in the text she'd sent Em a few minutes ago.

'Hello, you.' Em smiled at him.

'That's my line.' Jack moved up so Em could sit down. 'I am so sorry. I promised I'd be well-behaved, then I ruined your big night.'