Page 19 of Be More Lucy

‘During October and November. They’re sorting out the locations, accommodation and flights this week.’

‘I trust you, Jack.‘

That was a relief.

‘But I don’t trust Clara.’ Em looked upset. He hated to see her like that. He needed to float the idea he’d come up with on the train home. He put his arm around her.

‘There is one thing we could do,’ Jack said. ‘You could come with us as my assistant.’

‘How many days?’

At least she was considering the idea. ‘Six. Possibly seven. I’ll know when they finalise the shooting schedule in a couple of weeks.’

Em still looked thoughtful. ‘We’re still busy with guests in October. I’ll have to check with Nancy.’

‘But in principle?’

‘Yes.’ Thank god her big beaming smile was back.

11

Lucy walked across the gym to the cardio equipment. She’d been furious with herself for not putting two and two together about Adam sooner, but at least she’d been able to channel that anger into smashing her personal best on the weight machines tonight.

She was knackered after her long day in the office, but she wasn’t going to quit now. She’d not missed any of her gym sessions this year, and all she needed to do to complete this one was ten minutes on the cross trainer followed by a quick set of stretches. At least that was one personal goal she was on track to meet. Pity about the other one she’d written in the front of her 2019 journal: find a reliable partner.

Surely that wasn’t too much to ask? Seeing Jack and Em at New Year had made her realise it was time to stop messing around. Despite the shaky start, they were so relaxed and in love with one another now. Lucy needed some of that in her life. After nine years of changing boyfriends several times a year, she wanted someone she could trust to come home to.

You thought you had that with Dylan, and then he’d abandoned you right when you needed him most.

She mustn’t think about Dylan in public - it always made her cry. Lucy climbed onto the cross trainer and flicked through the channels on its display. Soaps, football, quizzes - nothing appealing. Then she found a documentary featuring a couples’ therapist. She might get some relationship tips from that. She put on her headphones and watched the screen as she moved her limbs backwards and forwards.

A couple were sitting on a sofa, looking miserable. The psychologist nodded thoughtfully as the woman described her disappointment with her partner’s infidelities with her best friend, their nanny and a random Deliveroo driver. Why wasn’t he telling that poor woman to leave the bastard? Lucy had a strict ‘one strike, and you’re out’ policy. She knew some women were more tolerant, but this was ridiculous.

What would the therapist say if Lucy were sitting on that couch? He might suggest picking unsuitable men was a self-preservation mechanism after her experience with Dylan. Lucy was pretty sure that’s what her subconscious had been doing all this time. But it was ten years since the Dylan problem, and she’d experienced that spark again with Mark last year. Ok, he’d proved to be yet another cheat, but at least it meant there was hope she could find another man who made her feel special. Perhaps she’d been a bit hasty when she told Kizzy she was giving up dating. She’d have one last attempt at achieving that remaining 2019 goal.

12

‘I need a favour,’ Nancy said as soon as Em walked into the kitchen at Dashford Grange the following morning. ‘Had you got any plans for this afternoon?’

Em usually did admin for the holiday lets on Wednesday mornings, but the afternoon was her own.

‘I was thinking of sketching down by the harbour, but the weather forecast says it’s going to rain. What do you want me to do?’

‘We need to revamp the holiday cottages.’

‘This afternoon?’ Nancy was always in a rush to implement new ideas, but Em wasn’t sure what she was expecting her to do about such a potentially large project today.

‘No, no, no. Nothing so strenuous. I want you to come shopping with me.’ Nancy put the iPad she’d been using in front of Em. ‘What do you think of that?’

Em looked at the screen. It was displaying the website for Dashford View, the new holiday accommodation down the road. All very modern with minimalist furnishings. Em scrolled through the site. Attractive, competitively priced, and they had a better view over the bay.

Nancy sighed. ‘Serious competition. We need to up our game. Our setup looks very dated by comparison.’

‘A lot of our clients like the cosy, country look.’

‘But not the ones with money. I’ve been looking at the stats for next year’s bookings, and they’re down compared to this time last year. I have a suspicion that Dashford View might be to blame. Tea?’

Em nodded. ‘Yes, please.’ Nancy always preferred to discuss major decisions over a cup of Earl Grey.

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