‘Nah… Actually, maybe a bit. But I’m glad you stood up for yourself and got things sorted out.’
‘Thanks,’ said Liv although she wasn’t entirely sure she had.
They walked and talked and soon they were nearing Charlotte’s. They went back via the post box so Liv could deposit the DNA swab. A bit further on it started to spit with rain, which made them speed up.
‘You never see rain on Christmas cards,’ said Charlotte. ‘Far more rain than snow this time of year.’
‘Not in Scotland,’ said Liv, and Charlotte shot her a look.
‘Okay I get it.’ Liv mimed zipping up her lips and throwing away the key. ‘Ooh funny story, this policeman I met—’
‘Shit,’ said Charlotte.
‘Come on just one more Scotland story and then I’ll shut up about it.’
‘It’s not that,’ said Charlotte. ‘It’s that.’ She pointed to her doorway where there was the shadowy figure of someone sitting on the doorstep and slumped to one side. ‘Christmas drunk. That’s all we need.’
‘We should have brought the little Snickers chocolates.’
‘Nobody likes those, Liv. Not even the homeless.’
‘He might not be homeless. He might just have had too much turkey and needed a sit-down.’
‘I can relate to that,’ said Charlotte giving her middle a rub. ‘What shall I say to him?’
‘I’ll do it,’ said Liv.
Charlotte did a double take. ‘Bloody hell, you have changed.’
Liv shrugged a shoulder but she did feel different after Scotland. Something had shifted a little. She liked the more ballsy version of herself and wanted to hang on to her. As they approached the doorway she stepped in front of her sister. ‘Hiya, wakey, wakey. It’s time to go to bed.’
The person sat up, pulled off their hood and stared at Liv. ‘I hope that’s separate beds.’
Liv was stunned for a moment. Was she seeing things? ‘Shit, Fraser! What are you doing here?’ But she was already giving him a hug. She was so pleased to see him. And then she felt a bit self-conscious. Perhaps a tad too much fizz had made her overfriendly. She pulled back to let him stand up. ‘It’s Fraser, the guy who… but he hadn’t and I stayed in his hotel… well his cousin’s. Anyway, it’s Fraser. This is my sister, Charlotte,’ she said as her sister held up the door keys.
‘Hi. Nice to meet you. Let’s get inside out of the cold,’ said Charlotte.
‘It’s all right. I’m used to it,’ said Fraser. ‘It’s not as cold as Scot—’
‘Bloody hell, not another one,’ said Charlotte unlocking the door and ushering them inside.
There wasn’t enough space in Charlotte’s tiny hallway for all three of them, especially not with Fraser. But they all started removing their coats, hats and scarves at the same time, making them awkwardly apologise as they bumped and prodded each other whilst trying to take things off. Fraser kept his coat on but took off his hat and scarf. Charlotte escaped from her coat first and hung it up triumphantly. ‘Tea? Who wants a cuppa?’
‘Please,’ said Liv, finding she’d managed to pull both sleeves inside out and her arms were still inside; it was like wearing a straitjacket.
‘Not for me thanks,’ said Fraser before turning his focus to Liv. ‘Did you need a hand?’
‘Noooo, I’m fine.’ Liv tried to shake off the coat. ‘Actually, just a bit of help please.’
Fraser untangled her and she hung up her coat. She looked at him afresh and something leapt inside her. She’d hoped she’d see him again but this was unexpected. A thought struck her. ‘Heavens, is everything okay? Nobody’s ill are they. Or has Robbie got another warrant out for my arrest?’ Liv laughed but Fraser’s frown deepened. ‘Shit, what’s happened?’
‘Is there somewhere to sit down?’ he asked looking uneasy. That same sensation was now creeping over her. She showed him through to the small living room. And they both sat on the sofa.
Liv clapped her hands together for no apparent reason before putting them on her thighs and that felt really odd, so she folded her arms, and now Fraser was watching her, so she’d have to leave them there. ‘What brings you to Blackburn on Christmas Day?’
‘There’s no easy way to soften this and I’m sure of that because I’ve had a six-hour drive and two hours sitting on your doorstep.’
‘Ooh six hours – you made good time,’ said Liv automatically and hated herself for sounding like her mum.
