‘Point out that they’re not freezing to death in their car,’ suggested Fraser.
‘Nope. Try again,’ said Liv.
‘A hot bath with candles always cheers me up,’ said Effie.
‘Great idea,’ said Liv. ‘Let’s run a bath and offer it to Shanie. And if we’ve got something fancy to put in the bath and some candles around the edge that would be great.’
‘On it,’ said Effie.
‘I’ve a suggestion of something special we could do for Aaron and Kacey but, Fraser, I’m going to need your help,’ said Liv.
‘I’m all yours,’ he said and they both smiled and then looked quickly away.
20
Robbie returned from fixing the aerial and he and Effie righted and tethered the Christmas tree. They tried the television but the reduced number of channels did not impress the guests. Shortly afterwards Dolly was telling Aaron elaborate stories of long-fought battles while Kacey put baubles on the tree, but only as high as she could reach, and Effie swept up the last of the mess that was created when the tree had fallen over.
Effie hoped Liv’s plan was going to work. Effie had sorted out the bath for Shanie. There was little else to do when you were stranded for the day and had no internet connection, although she did seem to be enjoying Liv’s book. Effie wasn’t a reader. She didn’t feel she needed to be. She had enough stories going on in her head. There were all the very many tales that her granny had shared with her plus all of those she’d been told by others in the village. On top of that she also liked to make up stories. She might see someone waiting at the bus stop and that would make her wonder who they were and where they were going and why. Her brain would then fill in the blanks and a little story would play out in her mind. So she was never bored.
Effie went to sit in her favourite spot to admire the Christmas tree. Despite being a little crushed and losing most of its baubles it was still impressive. The smell was amazing and she loved trees so what could be better? Apart from the decorations there was something else missing. She studied the tree. Presents! She had an idea. A few minutes later Effie was settled by the fire with a pile of wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and sticky tape.
Robbie stood and watched Effie for a moment, his brow furrowed. ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked.
‘Why do you have all these boxes of cereal, cushions and packs of toilet rolls?’
‘I’m wrapping them up,’ she said trying to reach the tape while she held the Christmas paper in place around one of the sofa cushions.
‘For who?’
‘Christmas,’ she said pulling off far more tape than she needed and watching it curl around her fingers and stick itself together.
Robbie took the tape from her and without asking cut her a good length and held the paper in place while she secured it. ‘When you say Christmas… Do you mean Father Christmas or someone else?’ he asked.
‘Not Father Christmas silly. We leave a mince pie and a whisky out for him. No, these are pretend presents for under the tree. To make it look more Christmassy.’
‘I see.’ Robbie looked relieved. He scanned the tree. ‘Back in a mo,’ he said and he disappeared, leaving Effie to her next parcel.
‘Right,’ said Robbie coming back into the room a couple of minutes later carrying a small stepladder. ‘Shall we finish decorating the tree?’ he asked.
‘Ooh yeah,’ said Effie.
‘These people who aren’t health and safety aware are a danger to themselves,’ he whispered and she nodded her agreement. She liked that Robbie was trusting her to do it properly.
Effie passed him the baubles and directed him to where to put them, and very soon it was transformed from average woodland fir to stunning Christmas tree. Robbie came down the ladder and flicked the switch on the lights.
‘Aww that makes me feel so Christmassy,’ she said.
‘I liked it better when we did it,’ said Kacey looking at her husband. There was no pleasing some folk.
*
Liv was trying to persuade Fraser to do something when they came face to face with Shanie who stopped and appraised them both. ‘This is why you’re not interested.’ She wiggled a finger in front of Liv but she was staring at Fraser. What was Liv missing?
‘Er, no,’ said Fraser. ‘We’re… um just discussing something.’ He sounded cagey.
‘Yeah, right. Likely story,’ said Shanie. ‘I was told there was a surprise for me in the bathroom. I was hoping it was going to be you.’ Fraser looked quite embarrassed. ‘Oh well, can’t blame a girl for dreaming.’ And off she went upstairs.
‘What’s that all about?’ asked Liv.
