Page 62 of Be More Octopus

Em took some of the used plates back into the kitchen. 'Have you done this before?' She asked Karl as she watched him packing up his cooking utensils.

'A few times,' he grinned. 'And I'm meant to be doing that for you.' He took the plates off her and loaded them into the dishwasher.

'I'm not very good at being waited on.'

'Now's the perfect time to practise. You seem a bit wistful for a blushing bride-to-be?'

'Didn't Lucy tell you? The wedding's cancelled. But we decided to go ahead with the hen do anyway.'

He looked genuinely shocked. 'I'm sorry. The agency didn't say. Are you alright?'

'Yes. It was me who called it off three months ago. I've got used to it now.'

'Your groom must be gutted to lose you.'

'No. He was cheating on me.'

'That's lousy. I know how that feels.'

'Karl! Karl! We've finished our cocktails.' Lydia's slightly slurred voice called from the dining room.

'I'll be right with you, ladies.'

Karl closed the dishwasher door. 'So you're single then?'

Em hesitated. Of course, she was single. Jack would be back in London now with his wife. She was starting to think that she’d imagined that he had any feelings for her at all.

'Yes. I'm back on the market.'

'Well, if you want some additional entertainment over the weekend, let me know.'

'Is that part of the package?'

'No. It's a free extra just for you. But don't mention it on the feedback form - dating clients is strictly forbidden.'

'My lips are sealed.' She gave him a cheeky grin.

Karl raised an eyebrow. Judging by the look he gave her, they wouldn't be sealed for much longer if Karl had anything to do with it.

'What are you doing tomorrow?' he asked.

'Lucy has arranged a full day of yoga, pampering and partying.' Which was a shame because a night out with an attractive man would keep Em’s mind off the Jack situation.

'How about tonight, then?'

'I'd love to, but it seems rude to abandon my friends.'

'Judging by their current state, I don't think they'll notice. They'll be asleep before long. I don't think I should make them another round of cocktails.'

Em looked back into the dining room. He had a point. After the head start to the celebrations in the minibus, they had begun to flag. Charlotte had already slid off her chair. Even Ella, who hadn't started drinking until they arrived, was struggling to stay awake. Sylvie was trying to get everyone else engaged with starting a karaoke session, a sure sign she was drunk. Lucy had more staying power, so that might be more tricky. But Em doubted she'd object. She turned back to Karl.

'Are your intentions honourable?'

'No. Are yours?' He laughed.

Cheeky but appealing. 'Where shall we go?'

'We could have a drink. Get to know one another better. There's a late-night bar on the high street around the corner from my flat.'