‘Yes. He’s Robbie Williams. And so is his dad, and his grandad and his great-grandad too but he lost the family bakery in a game of cards so we don’t talk about him. But none of them are the pop star.’
‘Right. And The Police?’ Liv thought it best to get everything cleared up while she was at it.
‘Robbie works for them. He’s taking his sergeant’s exam in the new year. He would have sooner but he managed to get stuck in a pair of his own handcuffs, so he said it was best to let that blow over first.’
‘Ah.’ At least a few things were starting to make more sense. ‘Then there’s nobody famous around these parts?’
‘No.’ Effie pulled a sad face. ‘Susan Boyle lives near Edinburgh but that’s like a hundred and fifty miles away. I wish we had some celebrities. Are you one? You might be.’ Effie leaned very close and studied Liv’s face.
‘No, I think I’d remember that.’
‘Let’s wait and see,’ said Effie hopefully. ‘Do you think the new restaurant will bring some in? The lawn is easily big enough for a helicopter to land on. I’d love to meet Jedward.’
‘You never know, Effie. We can only hope.’
Effie had to go and check on Dolly, so Liv was left alone. Liv slunk out of the library checking all around her. She felt like a cartoon villain. The reception and hallway were quiet. She went behind the reception desk and to her relief found a telephone. She quickly dialled her mum’s home number. She kept scanning the reception area because she didn’t want to get caught. Someone with amnesia wouldn’t remember any phone numbers to call.
‘Hello, I don’t need any insurance and there’s nothing wrong with my computer,’ said her mum.
‘Mum it’s me,’ whispered Liv, scanning the area like a rubbish spy.
‘Oh Liv. Thank heavens! I thought you’d been kidnapped. No actually Charlotte thought you’d been kidnapped; I thought it might be worse and that you’d let this loser sweet-talk you around. I do hope it’s neither of those things.’
‘It’s not. Listen I—’
‘Good. Where are you? Because it said number withheld, which was why I let whoever was calling know I was onto them from the get-go.’ Goodness her mother talked more than Effie.
‘Mum, this is a really quick call. I’m fine but it’s taking longer to sort things out than I thought—’
‘How long does it take to tell someone off?’
‘Mum, I have to stay here for two days. I love you. Don’t worry about me.’
‘Now I’m worried!’ said her mum.
‘Trust me, I’m fine. I have to go,’ said Liv putting the receiver down. She needed to call a tow truck but with no phone and no internet how was she meant to get a phone number for one? She needed to find her mobile – that was the easiest solution. She could hear voices approaching as she came out from behind the reception desk. The front door opened and a cold blast quickly made its way through to her. Dolly and Effie came in, mid conversation, covered in snow like a bad case of dandruff.
‘I think my new year’s resolutions are to help the bees, to be less political and to understand more about pineapples.’
‘Hi,’ said Liv as Effie helped Dolly take off her coat.
‘I’ve just been telling Granny all about you,’ said Effie. Liv wasn’t sure there was anything to share. At least that was one benefit to her imagined amnesia.
‘Hello, how are you feeling this morning?’ asked Dolly.
‘Okay. A bit awkward about staying here but the Doc didn’t give me much choice.’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ said Dolly. ‘It’s good to have people about the old place again. Are you sure you are up to helping out a little?’
‘Apart from being a bit sore in places I’m fine. And I’d feel like I wasn’t a complete freeloader.’
‘Excellent. Don’t let Fraser intimidate you; he can be a bit of a grump but he’s a pussy cat really.’
‘Uh-huh,’ said Liv. She wasn’t sure about that.
‘Before you actually start work I think you need an orientation. That’s when someone shows you where everything is and how everything works,’ said Effie.
‘Yep, got that,’ said Liv.
