Chapter 37
37
The journey home was just as tedious as the one up to Scotland. It was such a long way. Liv sang and shouted at the radio depending on what the programme was, rationed her drink intake and made one scheduled stop at one of the bigger services. When she got back in the car she decided to see what was in the package Dolly had given her, although she was pretty sure she could guess. She was right: it was Scottish tablet. At least the sugar high would help her stay alert.
Liv replayed all that had happened in the last six days. It seemed like she’d been there a lot longer and had come away feeling like she’d known the people forever. She finally pulled onto her sister’s driveway at a quarter to eight at night. She was tired but oh so pleased to be home. That feeling didn’t last long when she saw her sister’s angry face as she stormed outside. ‘Where the hell have you been?’ she asked her through the driver’s window.
‘Scotland,’ said Liv.
‘We thought you’d emigrated!’ Charlotte did a good impression of an angry person but there was something about sisters – however cross they were you knew deep down that they loved you and you were family, so they were stuck with you. Liv got out of the car and opened the boot. ‘Where’s the damage to the car?’ asked her sister as she stalked around it like a rooster in a henhouse, her eyes homing in when she thought she saw something of interest.
Their mum came running out of the front door doing up her jeans. ‘You would arrive when I’m having a wee,’ she complained as she threw her arms around her youngest daughter.
‘Eww too much information, Mum. I hope you’ve washed your hands.’
‘You cheeky wotsit! Let me look at you.’ She held her at arm’s length and Liv felt like she was at primary school again. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. All in one piece.’
‘Come inside. It’s blooming cold out here,’ said Charlotte.
‘Cold, you southern softie – this is nothing. It was minus twelve in Scotland.’
Her mum and sister looked suitably shocked.
They went inside and Liv regaled them with tales from over the border where she frequently was the hero in the story. She realised a lot had happened in six days. And the more she talked the more tired she got.
‘So no men in kilts,’ concluded her mum.
‘Nope,’ said Liv. ‘The kilt thing is for formal occasions and apparently when they go into battle.’
‘Disappointing,’ said Charlotte. They all nodded.
When there were more yawns than words per sentence she conceded it was time for bed.
‘Come on,’ said her mum. ‘Santa will be on his way.’ Which received groans as a response. ‘I’ll see you at mine for present opening and a cheeky glass of fizz before we get the potatoes on.’
‘Okay,’ said Liv giving her mum a hug.
‘I’m so glad you’re home and I’m so proud of you for standing up to that horrid man.’
‘But I explained he wasn’t really horrid at all because it wasn’t him who ghosted me.’
‘Hmm,’ said Charlotte. ‘I reckon he’s gaslighting you.’
‘I’m too tired for this,’ said Liv and she kissed her mum and sister. ‘See you at Christmas,’ she joked and she went to bed.
Liv was woken on Christmas morning by her sister grumbling about being late. She’d not managed to get as much sleep as she’d hoped. For one thing she’d had to do some last-minute wrapping and then when she’d got into bed her tired mind had decided that was a good opportunity to go over things and try to sort them out. But sorting things out wasn’t that simple. She felt like she’d lost something, but if that was the Fraser from the dating app then she never had him in the first place. And if it was the Fraser she’d got to know in Scotland then he was juggling a wash load of baggage. Maybe some things just weren’t meant to be.
Liv popped in the shower and before getting dressed she decided to unpack the bag she’d been too exhausted to attempt the night before. She was making a pile for the washing machine when she discovered an envelope. She took it out and sat down on the bed to look at it. On the front was LIV in capitals along with neatly drawn holly and bells. At the bottom it said: ‘Do Not Open Until 25 Dec’ . Her heart gave a little flutter. Obviously someone in Scotland had put it in her bag, but who? She so wanted it to be Fraser but she couldn’t imagine him colouring in holly. She was about to rip open the envelope when her sister banged on the door.
‘Are you dressed yet? There’s a mince pie and a glass of fizz with my name on it at Mum’s.’
Liv looked at the envelope and then at the towel still wrapped around her damp body. ‘Give me five minutes,’ she called and she put the envelope in her handbag. She’d have to wait to open that later.
A few minutes later a damp-haired Liv dashed out of her bedroom pulling on her Christmas jumper whilst wrestling with her handbag and a big bag of presents. They were going to walk to their mum’s so that they could both have a drink.
‘At last,’ said Charlotte, waggling the door key at her. Charlotte was fully made up, with blow-dried waves, wearing a stylish knitted dress underneath a winter coat and had a bag of neatly wrapped presents at her feet. How could two sisters be so different?
‘You’re wearing that?’ Charlotte pointed at Liv’s jumper, which proudly displayed a large turkey in a party hat.
‘I am. And listen to this.’ Liv groped around near her left boob for the little push pad and once pressed it started to play ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’.
‘It’s a turkey, not a reindeer,’ said Charlotte.
‘Don’t be picky. I got it at the market,’ said Liv as she tried to switch it off again. Charlotte was still shaking her head as they left the house and began the short walk to their mum’s.
‘You were up late,’ said Charlotte.
‘I had a few things still to wrap. Were you spying on me?’
‘I saw your light was still on when I went for a wee.’
‘Old age catching up with you already?’ quipped Liv. At least constant digs about her sister being older were a staple in their relationship.
‘Ha. As long as it was just presents. I do worry about you, you know,’ said Charlotte giving her an awkward one-armed hug as they walked along.
‘Yeah I know. And you’re all right too.’
‘High praise indeed. You’ll be fine – you know that don’t you?’
Liv gave her the side-eye.
‘I know I have a go sometimes but you’re my little sister and that’s kind of my job.’
‘No it’s not,’ said Liv.
Charlotte puffed out a breath and it plumed in front of her in the cold air. ‘I feel like I have to look out for you and Mum. But I know you’ll be okay. Despite what you think you will find the right person for you if and when you’re ready. You don’t need someone to complete you – that’s just trash they use to fill magazines.’
‘I know that,’ said Liv. ‘I am a strong, independent woman.’ She pulled back her shoulders, lifted her chin and walked with a swagger.
‘You’re also an idiot and I love you,’ said Charlotte, giving her a nudge. ‘You had better have got Mum a good present in there.’
‘I have,’ said Liv defensively. She glanced at the jumble of bright pink paper. Oh well it was too late now.
*
It was Christmas morning and Effie was even more excited than the time she’d thought she’d seen Santa’s reindeer on the lawn and it had turned out to be a plain old ordinary deer. She cannoned down the stairs and into the library to find someone had beaten her to being the first one up. The lights were all on and twinkling, and a new fire was just taking in the grate. The small pile of presents under the tree had grown as others had secretly added theirs before going to bed.
‘Hey, no opening until everyone is up!’ scolded Fraser from the doorway. ‘Breakfast first.’
‘Okay,’ said Effie and once he’d gone she checked the tag on the nearest present and saw it was for her. She picked it up, held it to her ear and gave it a little shake.
‘Oi, breakfast,’ said Fraser reappearing and she guiltily put the present down and ran giggling from the room.
It wasn’t long before they were all sitting by the fire with drinks in hand and Jock’O in pole position. They had opened a few presents and Effie was very pleased with her book on Scottish Myths and Legends and her witch’s brew candle. Dolly was trying out a new hand cream and Fraser was sorting out the fake presents.
‘Did you wrap up bog rolls?’ he asked moving one of the large parcels.
‘It was all to get the right effect,’ said Effie.
‘Are these fake too?’ he asked holding up a very round package wrapped in pink Christmas trees.
‘No, is there a label?’
Fraser turned it over and found a piece of white paper taped to it and read it out. ‘ To Ginger, you lucky cow. Love from Liv. ’ He blinked as he said her name.
‘Ooh that’s kind of her,’ said Effie. ‘Can I open it?’
‘I think it’s pretty obvious what it is,’ said Fraser passing it to her. ‘And it will last all of five seconds like every other ball she’s got hold of.’
At the mention of the word ball Jock’O lifted a lazy head but when there wasn’t one in sight he flopped back down again as the fire cracked and sizzled.
Effie tore off the Christmassy paper to reveal something a little unexpected. ‘It’s a boat fender or buoy,’ said Fraser.
‘But Ginger doesn’t have a boat,’ said Effie. This was a weird gift.
‘No but it’s almost the same as a ball and given it’s made of tough stuff it might actually last when she hoofs it around the yard. It’s actually a very good present,’ he conceded.
‘Any more things wrapped in that paper?’ asked Dolly, putting her hand cream away.
‘Yep,’ said Fraser, passing them to her.
Dolly unwrapped a pair of thick socks for Jock’O, which he instantly took interest in and for her a travel cup and cup holder that had a note with it saying – It’s really for a boat but I think it will also fit on your wheelchair from Liv. ‘Ooh what a good idea,’ said Dolly. ‘I’m always leaving mugs of tea places.’ She looked at Effie. ‘What did you get?’
Effie had opened a set of ghost fairy lights from Liv that she was over the moon with and was now looking at the letter that was in with them.
‘What’s it say?’ asked Fraser.
Effie swallowed and read it out. ‘ Dear Effie, You have quickly become my friend and I wanted to get you a little something to say thank you for being my bestie in Scotland. I saw the little light-up ghosts and thought of you and Janet. They were in the sale section with other Halloween stuff but it’s the thought that counts, right? Anyway, I also did something else. I have a friend who is a whizz with computers. The judge called him a hacker but that’s another story. He sent an email to “John” making out it was from you with details of a money transfer but it was really a virus. I’m pleased to report that John’s computer has been wiped of all information, which hopefully is a giant pain in the bum for him and will stop him from conning women for a while. Lots of love and don’t forget to visit, Liv x. ’ Effie lifted her head and looked at Dolly and Fraser’s faces.
‘Well done, Liv,’ said Fraser. ‘She gave Karma a helping hand.’
‘Um, who is John and isn’t giving his computer a virus very illegal?’ asked Dolly.
Effie felt sick she’d not thought through the implications before she’d read the note out, but Fraser was already coming to her rescue. ‘John was a nasty piece of work who badgered Effie over the internet. But she’s a smart woman and she blocked him. Liv was just stopping him from doing it to others.’
‘I see,’ said Dolly. ‘Good thing she did – some people can be gullible.’
‘They can,’ said Fraser and he and Effie exchanged smiles.