If you lean forward a little you can chat but the seats are OK for couples.

See this post and a good review and pictures of 8K as well as a view of 7EF.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/36248490-post2001.html

It sounds like your on a FLUB flight, basically no First for sale. You can check if there is any First Class for sale by doing a dummy booking. If Club is oversold they will roll folks forward but usually higher status members. Even if it does open up don't select any F seats as you'll more than likely be moved back and not necessarily to your planned seats in Club.

More info in the FLUB thread.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...rcraft-20.html