Page 57 of Be More Octopus

'I'll be fine. Honestly. See you tomorrow afternoon.' Em smiled and waved as she ended the call.

She would be fine. A weekend of madness with her besties, miles away from Jack, was just what she needed. She only had to get through the next 16 hours, and then they'd be off.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The following morning Em threw herself into getting all her chores done. She'd tried starting a new series of paintings last night when she couldn't sleep. But the results were shaping up to be the sort of stormy pictures that Phil had been less keen on. Today, packing for the weekend away and sorting out the guest changeover was keeping her occupied.

She walked into the kitchen, carrying a pile of laundry.

Nancy looked thoughtfully at her. 'Have you got a moment? I want to talk to you about Jack.’

She patted the stool next to her at the island. 'He's told me about the photos and Isabella. I want to make sure you're ok?'

'I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?'

Nancy raised her eyebrows. 'You two have become such good friends over the last few weeks. And now you're not bothered that he's decided ignoring you is a good idea?'

What was there to say? Whatever she said would no doubt get back to Jack.

'I'd prefer it if he weren't avoiding me, but it's not as if we've fallen out. And I'm away this weekend anyway.'

'I thought you might be upset?'

'You don't approve of his approach?'

'No, I don't. That's what Isabella wants him to do, in my opinion. She's isolating him from his friends again, and she's not even here. I've told him life is too short. I'm glad you're away this weekend. It might make him rethink things if he's wondering what you're up to.'

'I'm not sure what you mean.'

'He cares about you. He doesn't want to lose you.'

'Did he say that?' Em hoped she didn't sound too excited at the prospect.

'No, but I can tell from the way he talks about you.'

So this could just be Nancy matchmaking again.

'Perhaps a bit of distance would be good for both of us.'

Em let herself into the empty cottage. Just this one to clean and prep, and then she could finish getting ready for her non-hen do weekend. She went upstairs and opened all the windows to let some fresh air in.

While she was putting clean linen on the main bed, she heard Jack's voice outside. 'I know I said I wouldn't come back to London yet, but this changes everything. I don't want you to be on your own.' He sounded worried. Em couldn't hear anyone reply. It must be a phone conversation.

Em tried not to listen, but he was speaking so loudly that it was difficult not to hear what he was saying. He must be standing right under the window.

'A fresh start would be good.' Another silence, then, 'Yes, you're right. I get why you don't want to fight anymore. Fighting's hard work. I think we can agree on that. '

Another gap.

'I've got to go. Are you sure you'll be ok until I get back home?'

Em was frozen to the spot. Home?

'I've missed you too. I'll see you very soon. Love you.'

Love you? Jack didn't usually say love you. Relax! He could have been talking to his mother. Em could hear footsteps on the gravel, then Nancy's voice. 'I've just been speaking to Olivia. I can't believe it.'

So his mother had been on the phone to Nancy, not Jack.