Page 4 of Be More Lucy

‘Of course, I did, but I couldn’t find anything on him. When I challenged him about it, he said his job meant he wasn’t allowed on social media.’

‘An undercover accountant. Interesting.’

‘It sounds stupid, but I’d no reason to think he was lying. Not everyone plasters their lives over Instagram and Facebook.’

‘But surely someone with such an important job would have a LinkedIn account at least?’ Em hadn’t forgotten the first time she and Jack had met Adam. He’d delighted in crowing about how essential his role was. ’Not a phoney job like being an academic or an artist,’ he’d said. An interesting list of professions to mention. Surely Lucy had told him Jack was a professor and Em was a portrait painter as well as a concierge. Obviously, endearing himself to Lucy’s friends wasn’t a priority for Adam.

‘He told me he didn’t need to be on there. He’s well known in his industry, so he gets recruiters head-hunting him all the time without needing to show off online.’

‘I can believe he said that.’ Em thought Adam was an arrogant knob, but as Lucy seemed to like him, she’d kept her opinions to herself.

‘I know he can be an arsehole, but he’s always been very good to me.’ Lucy didn’t sound as confident as she usually did.

‘So why are you looking worried?’

‘Because having a wife and family would explain some of his absences.’ Lucy looked thoughtful. ‘What if he tells her he’s working away, so he waves goodbye to her on Sunday evening, and then he comes back from a hard week’s work to fall into her loving arms on Saturday morning?’

‘Or Friday evening this week?’

Lucy knocked back the rest of her champagne. ‘Bastard.’

Better steer Lucy away from thinking too much about Adam’s potential lies. Anger wasn’t a good look for a wedding guest. It would ruin the group photo. ‘That’s just us speculating. He might have a double?’ Em suggested. ‘Or maybe he was working late last night?’

‘Or he’s secretly working for MI6, and he’s been called away to sort out a coup in Uzbekistan? Which do you think is more likely?’

2

Jack pulled the seat away from the table for Em. She still hadn’t got used to his excellent manners. Connor would have left her to sort herself out. ‘Are you ok here?’ he whispered in her ear when she sat down. He must have noticed her eyeing up the top table.

‘Yes, I’ll be fine. We’re as far away from Connor as we can be without being in the corridor,’ Em said as he sat down next to her.

She’d checked where Connor would be sitting when she’d looked at the table plan earlier. He was at the end of the top table in the opposite corner of the dining room. Ella had kept her word about seating them as far apart as possible. If Em leaned on Jack’s shoulder during the speeches, the large floral table centre would obscure Connor’s annoying face completely. But she’d still be able to hear his voice. A walk around the grounds after the meal might be a better option.

Lucy was sitting on the other side of Jack. She was still looking pensive.

‘Excuse me a second,’ Jack said, pulling out his phone and typing something. He passed his phone to Em. She read the note.

Why the atmosphere? Lucy looks furious.

Em tapped out her response.

It’s Adam. I’ll explain later.

‘Are you two taking notes?’ Charlotte asked.

‘On what?’ Em asked, trying to look innocent.

Charlotte raised her eyebrows. ‘I just thought you would want to remember which parts of the wedding you enjoyed and which you didn’t. That information could come in handy for any celebrations you might be planning.’ she said with a cheeky grin.

Em glanced at Jack.

He looked unsettled. ‘Shall we run a book on how long the speeches will be?’ he said, changing the subject.

The waiting staff were clearing the dessert dishes and topping up champagne glasses ready for the speeches. Time for Em to disappear for a while. ‘I’m going to get some fresh air,’ she announced, getting up from the table.

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Jack offered.

‘No, I need some time alone, thanks.’ The introvert in her wanted to get away from everyone, even her beloved Jack. She needed to unwind.

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