‘Careful,’ yelled Dolly somewhat belatedly. ‘That’s a genuine Scots pike from the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh.’
Liv was none the wiser about what the thing was other than bloody lethal and she was now face to face with a cross-looking Fraser. What was going to happen? Her heart thumped almost as hard as her head and ankle. But in that moment it felt like it was exactly the right time to start being the person she wanted to be.
‘What the hell did you do that for?’ he said touching his head and checking his hand for blood – thankfully there wasn’t any.
‘I didn’t do it on purpose.’ Liv tried to take the weapon from him to put it back against the wall but he wasn’t letting go.
‘English?’ said Fraser, taking a step back as if she’d announced she had leprosy mixed with a raging dose of bubonic plague.
‘She can’t help that,’ said Effie. ‘Can I have the ice?’ she asked.
Fraser returned the pike to where it had been, all the while keeping a watch on Liv.
‘You can have half the ice,’ said Fraser to Effie, unwrapping what he was carrying in his hand and reluctantly handing half of the contents to her along with a cloth he pulled from his pocket. ‘I need the rest now she’s tried to brain me.’ He glared at Liv. Instead of being intimidated she was surprised. How did he not recognise her? He was looking right at her. The profile picture she’d used was from last summer when her hair had been highlighted and she’d made an effort with some make-up. Maybe it was a best version of herself, unlike the wet and bedraggled version in front of him now, but the photograph did look vaguely like her, unlike so many of the men she’d encountered on dating apps. Why wasn’t he frantically pointing at her saying:You’re Olivia Bingham!Or was this his poker face? She was so confused. What was going on?
‘Shouldn’t something like this be on a wall where it can’t hurt anyone?’ asked Liv, checking the pole couldn’t fall over again.
‘It may have escaped your notice but this place is in need of repair.’ He looked at her like she wasn’t the sharpest crayon in the box.
Liv glanced around at her surroundings: damp patch on the ceiling, peeling wallpaper, and a threadbare tartan carpet. On the wall above them was a single bracket and a mark on the wallpaper in the shape of a long pointy pole.
‘I’m guessing it fell off the wall and nobody’s put it back.’
‘Got it in one. You’re smarter than the average Sassenach.’
‘What did you call me?’ She’d not stand there and be called names. Especially now she was being the new improved Liv. That Liv wouldn’t dodge being insulted.
‘It just means an English person,’ said Effie, stepping between the two of them. ‘We should get this ice on your head.’
Liv and Fraser went to sit on the same chair. Liv got there first, but as she sat down hard her wet clothes emitted a strange wet fart-like sound. Fraser huffed and sat on a chair to the side and fixed his glare on her. Still not even a flicker of recognition. Had he taken a much harder thump to the head than it seemed or was she that easily forgotten?
Effie wrapped the ice in the cloth and placed it gently on Liv’s head.
‘Thanks,’ said Liv.
‘You’re welcome.’
Everyone was silent but Liv felt like all eyes were on her.
‘Who is she exactly?’ Fraser looked at Dolly for an answer.
‘Lass has bumped her head and does nay know who she is,’ replied Dolly.
‘It’s amnesia,’ said Effie. ‘She had a run-in with Ginger in the yard and she banged her head really badly. Did you not hear her scream?’
‘I heard something. I thought it might be an owl.’
‘I think I’ve done all I can,’ said Robbie. ‘I’ll leave you good people. If there are any issues.’ He indiscreetly pointed a finger in Liv’s direction. ‘Then just give me a call. Goodnight, everyone.’ He strode off creating a bit of a draught as he passed, and Liv shivered.
‘She was sitting in a puddle when I rescued her. She can’t remember who she is. I’ve left a message for the Doc,’ said Effie.
‘Amnesia?’ Fraser snorted a laugh. ‘Really?’
‘Well if I don’t know who I am, maybe you do,’ said Liv jutting out her jaw in challenge. She was fast warming to the new ballsy Liv.
‘Not a clue,’ said Fraser.
Effie gasped. ‘Maybe you’ve got amnesia too.’
