Page 45 of Be More Octopus

'Yes, probably. It's just I think I've seen him before. A while ago.'

'Where?'

'Leaving work, back in the winter. He followed me all the way home. I only realised he was still there when I was drawing the curtains. He was hanging around across the street. I had a break-in the following day.'

'And you think he did it? What did he take?'

'That's just it. Whoever it was rummaged through drawers and cupboards, but nothing was stolen. I reported it to the police. But they weren't particularly interested. They thought the intruder had probably been disturbed.'

'That's awful. He doesn't look sinister, though.' He was middle-aged, a bit tubby, and had short brown hair. He wore a plain grey t-shirt, jeans, and trainers. The only thing that stood out about him was the brown leather messenger bag slung over his shoulder.

'What are you expecting a thief to look like?' Jack whispered.

'I wasn't expecting him to have a striped jumper and a bag with swag written on it.' She could see by Jack's expression that he wasn't in the mood for humour. Em tried reassuring him. 'He just doesn't look desperate enough to be a burglar. And why's he here now? He can't be following you. He couldn't have known we'd be at the cinema. You haven't tweeted about it or anything?'

'No.' Jack still looked uncomfortable. 'I guess it's just a coincidence.' But he didn't look convinced.

They couldn't stand there all evening, but Jack seemed to be frozen to the spot. Em was going to have to take the initiative. 'Just in case, let's not lead him to Nancy's. We'll head back towards the cinema and see if he follows. And there are more people around on the main road.'

'Good thinking.'

'I'm a woman. Unfortunately, we have to think like that regularly. Perhaps not in Devon, but definitely in Birmingham and here.'

Jack put a protective arm around her shoulder. Em slipped her arm around his waist. If it weren't for their potential stalker, this would be enjoyable.

When they got to the corner of the street Em turned to look in a window.

Jack seemed baffled at Em's sudden interest in the mobility aids shop. 'Are you in the market for a Zimmer frame?'

'Look at the reflections.' Em whispered.

'Oh, I see. Where is he?'

'He's walking on the opposite pavement back towards the cinema. And now he's noticed we've stopped, he's slowing down.'

'He is following us.' Jack was spooked. 'What do we do?'

Em was feeling nervous as well now. 'We need to lose him.'

'How are we going to do that?'

A black cab pulled up right in front of them and a man got out. Perfect timing. Em dived inside. Jack followed her.

'Where to?' The taxi driver asked.

Jack hesitated.

Em filled the silence. 'King's Cross Station.'

Jack looked puzzled. 'That's in the opposite direction.'

'We need to lose him. It will be busy at King's Cross, even at this time of night. We can make sure he's not followed us, then get another cab back to Nancy's.'

'You've read too many thrillers,' Jack was trying to make light of the situation now, but his expression was still serious.

Em turned around to look out of the back window of the cab. The man wasn't attempting to follow this time. But he was staring after them and talking on his phone.

Jack had said nothing on the taxi ride to King's Cross, nor during the journey back to Nancy's. He was still on edge as he opened the front door to the apartment building.