Page 21 of Be More Lucy

‘You’ve not told me much about Ella and Sam’s wedding,’ Nancy eventually said.

Em had tried to keep off the subject in case she let slip about her and Jack’s engagement. They’d decided they weren’t going to tell anyone until they’d sorted the ring.Just stick to the wedding facts.

‘We had a good time. Ella looked gorgeous, but I knew she would. She’s always had a great sense of style. Sam scrubbed up well too.’

‘And Connor?’ Nancy had met Connor once and hadn’t been impressed.

‘He was just being Connor. Life and soul of the party, dodgy jokes, revelling in being the best man.’

‘And are you and Jack ok?’

Nancy was fishing now. Em needed to distract her with something else.

‘Yes, we’re fine. Lucy had a hard time, though.’ She filled Nancy in on the Adam situation.

‘Shame. Pity she split up with Mark. Did you ever get to the bottom of that? Mark told me he couldn’t get over here for an event because he lost his passport, and she’s ghosted him ever since. Seems an extreme reaction.’

‘All she told me was that he cheated on her.’

‘I can believe he lost his passport, but he’s never been the sort to two-time his girlfriends. He saw how his father’s behaviour affected me.’ Nancy went quiet for a moment. ‘But then I am his mother - I suppose I see the best in him.’

13

‘You’re back early,’ Jack shouted from the kitchen as Em walked into their flat.

‘Yes, we found everything we needed, and the traffic was quite light considering it’s holiday season.’

‘Don’t come into the living room yet.’

Em took off her trainers and put them on the shoe rack. ‘Why?’

‘It’s a surprise.’

‘Ok.’ Em said apprehensively. What was he up to? She’d had enough surprises for one week.

‘Don’t go into the bedroom either.’

‘Am I allowed to use the bathroom? I’m desperate. I’ll need you to give me a bucket if not.’

‘I love the air of mystery you like to exude.’

‘Jack!’ Em was really uncomfortable now.

‘Yes, the bathroom’s fine.’

Two minutes later, Em was back in the hallway. ‘Are you going to be long, Jack, because I’m starving? Nancy usually treats us both to afternoon tea when we go shopping, but she made some excuse about being on a special diet today. Do you know anything about that?’

‘No.’ He sounded distracted. She heard saucepans being dumped in the sink and then footsteps coming towards the living room door.

Jack flung the door open. ‘Welcome to Restaurant Jacques,’ he said in a terrible French accent. When he stood back, she could see the curtains were closed, the main lights were off, and strings of fairy lights lit the room instead. He’d moved the table out of the corner of the kitchen and into the main living room, covered it with a white table cloth and laid it properly for a three-course meal. He’d even added a silver candelabra with red candles, which were flickering nicely, adding to the cosy ambience. Was Jack trying to make up for the Clara revelation yesterday?

‘This is amazing. What’s all this in aid of?’

‘This is what my marriage proposal should’ve looked like,’ he said, ‘if I hadn’t got carried away at the weekend.’

He pulled out a chair for Em to take a seat at the table.

‘I thought I may as well do it anyway. I’ve made your favourite sweetcorn soup for starters, with that olive bread you like from the bakery in the village.’

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