Page 54 of Be More Octopus

No thanks

Disappointing. Then she saw the three dots appear

Sorry - can we talk?

At least he was engaging now.

Yes, please. Here or at yours?

Three dots again.

I'll come to you.

She looked out of the window to see him already walking across the courtyard. He was running up the steps as she opened her front door.

'Hello, you.' Only a half smile this evening.

'Are you alright?’ Em asked as he walked in.

'Hmmm. Can I defer answering that one?'

'Is it the photo from Isabella?' She knew it must be, but she was hoping to coax him into talking about it.

'Yes. There was a handwritten note with it too. I've been obsessing about it all day. I tried to do some editing to take my mind off it, but I failed miserably. I'm sure the chapter I finished will need redoing.' He sat on the sofa, tipped his head back against the cushions and closed his eyes. His stomach rumbled loudly.

Poor Jack. 'When did you last eat?'

'I don't know. Breakfast, I guess.'

'We could go up to the Kingfisher? I've already eaten, but you could still have something.' Perhaps he'd be more relaxed after a meal and a drink.

'No, better not.'

What did that mean? 'Do you want me to cook you something?'

He didn't respond. She was expecting some teasing about her culinary skills, at least.

'I have leftover lasagne that Nancy gave me. I could microwave it?'

'Yes. I better eat something. Thank you. Sorry, I should've brought a bottle of wine with me. We ought to be celebrating your gallery success.'

'There's some in the fridge. You sort out a couple of glasses while I heat through your lasagne.'

Giving him something to do might take his mind off whatever was bothering him. Jack followed her into the kitchen.

'I'm sorry for being so dismissive this morning. I was just so shocked by Isabella's latest move.' Jack handed her a glass.

'What has she done?'

'Stolen an old photo of me from when I was a student.'

'I don't understand.' Why would a photo from that long ago make Jack so upset?

'She or her private detective must have taken it from my flat.'

'That was what the break-in was for?'

'It would appear so. It was in an envelope of photos. That's why I never noticed it was missing. The envelope with the rest of the photos is still there.'