‘Gift purchasing can be a minefield,’ said Robbie. ‘I just thought about what Effie wanted most in the world and how I could facilitate that.’
‘Aww, you’re so lovely,’ said Effie giving him a tight squeeze.
Fraser snorted a laugh. ‘What Liv wants most is to track down who set up the fake dating profile in my name and give them a piece of her mind. So that’s a bit out of my reach.’
Robbie’s expression changed to his serious police officer one.
‘What’s this?’ he asked.
Effie took a deep breath. ‘Liv, set up a dating profile in her full name – Olivia Bingham – and she was matched with Fraser Douglas.’ She pointed at Fraser. ‘But it wasn’tourFraser who set it up and whoeverdidset it up led her on a wee merry dance before deleting the profile. And—’
There was a dramatic gasp from the library doorway and they all turned to see a shocked-looking Winnie standing there gripping her frame so tight her knuckles were white.
‘Are you all right, Winnie?’ asked Fraser going over to her.
‘Oh dear, oh dear,’ said Winnie. ‘That poor wee thing.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Fraser waved it away. ‘It’s a long story about Liv being ghosted on the internet. But I’m sure she’s okay.’
‘I’d better get going before my mam’s turkey is as dry as sandpaper,’ said Robbie turning around.
‘No wait!’ said Winnie forcefully. ‘I’ve done something terrible.’
Robbie seemed torn by the statement and the thought of his mother. ‘Terrible as in committed a crime?’ he asked.
‘Did you say Olivia Bingham?’ she asked, scanning their faces.
‘Yep, that’s right. Liv is Olivia. One and the same,’ said Fraser. He and Effie exchanged glances. ‘You okay?’ he asked Winnie.
‘No, I’m not. Not at all.’
There was a long pause like when they’re about to announce the winner of a reality show, and Effie got butterflies.
‘Did you want to sit down?’ asked Fraser.
Winnie straightened her shoulders, took a breath and looked Fraser in the eye.
‘It was me.’
Fraser scratched his head, ‘Sorry, Winnie. What was you?’
‘I set up the phoney dating account in your name,’ she said.
Effie gasped. ‘You’re fake Fraser?’ She leaned into Robbie who put his arm protectively around her.
‘Why? I mean, but you don’t use dating apps. Do you?’ asked Fraser.
‘There’s no upper age limit,’ she said. ‘It does take ages to scroll down to my year of birth. But no, I don’t use them for me. But I do know my way around the world wide web. I’ve not always been a little old lady. I was one of the first women to get a degree in computer science in the early sixties, I’ll have you know.’
‘Oh, that’s clever of you,’ said Effie clapping her hands but Fraser was glaring at her. ‘But you did a bad thing.’ She wagged her finger, making Robbie give her a look. Perhaps telling off an old lady wasn’t a good idea. ‘At least you’re not another John,’ said Effie.
Robbie was momentarily distracted. ‘Who’s John?’
‘Long story,’ said Effie and Fraser together.
‘Robbie, I think you can go because your mam’s turkey is bothering me. Turkey dries out really quickly.’ Fraser rubbed a hand over his beard.
‘I’ll just stay a few moments more,’ said Robbie, pointing at Winnie. All eyes turned back in her direction.
