‘I’ve got to dash. I’m needed on important police business.’ He gave her his serious look.
‘Sure,’ said Liv.
Robbie’s walkie-talkie burst into life and he marched off. Liv wandered into the dining room where there was an intense discussion going on, which halted abruptly as she walked in. Effie, Fraser, Dolly and Jock’O all turned to glare at her.
‘Everything okay?’ she asked scanning the flustered-looking faces. She and Fraser looked directly at each other and Liv couldn’t help smiling at the thought of their bathroom run-in.
‘Yep, fine,’ said Fraser getting up and shoving his chair under the table before walking out.
‘Was it something I said?’ asked Liv, taking his vacated seat.
‘It’s not you,’ said Effie. ‘The thing is…’ She tailed off and Liv could see it was because Dolly was signalling to her to stop talking.
‘The thing is?’ encouraged Liv.
‘Um…’ Effie seemed torn. ‘The Thing is a hand in the Addams Family. Sorry I need to get on.’ And she hastily left the table and rushed from the room, followed by Dolly at a much slower pace. Liv sat at the table alone and pursed her lips. There was definitely something going on and she was now itching to find out what it was.
Liv tracked down Effie to the reception desk where she appeared to be hunting for something and almost knocking over the mugs of half-drunk tea Dolly had abandoned there. ‘Hey, Effie, what’s going down?’
‘Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all.’
‘Nice try,’ said Liv. ‘But I know there’s something up. That or my deodorant stopped working because I don’t usually have the effect of everyone leaving a room when I enter it.’
‘It’s not you,’ said Effie.
‘That’s good. What is it then?’ Liv leaned forward with interest.
‘I can’t say. It’s family business.’
‘Okay,’ said Liv. She didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. ‘But if you change your mind and want to offload to someone who has absolutely no vested interest and won’t repeat a word of it, then you know where I am.’ Liv turned to leave.
‘Actually…’ began Effie slowly. ‘You promise you won’t say anything to anyone?’
‘Scout’s honour.’
‘You’re not a Scout are you?’
‘No, but it’s the thought that counts.’
Effie looked momentarily confused. ‘Okay but if you repeat any of this then I’ll be forced to wish bad things for you.’
Liv chuckled but Effie looked stern. ‘Right,’ said Liv trying to look serious. ‘Sure, I don’t want Janet after my soul.’
‘Exactly,’ said Effie making Liv swallow hard. She didn’t believe in all that stuff, but still she’d not want to take any risks and be proved wrong. ‘Fraser is upset about the hotel being put up for sale.’
‘Yep, I’d gathered that much.’
‘He doesn’t own it,’ said Effie.
‘And I’d worked that out too.’
‘You’re very clever,’ said Effie.
‘I’m not but thanks. Robbie mentioned that Fraser’s dad owns it. If that’s the case how come you’re all using it?’
Effie pulled up the reception chair and sat down, and Liv leaned on the counter. ‘My dad and Fraser’s dad owned it. Together. Jointly.’ Effie was pointing at invisible people. ‘You see his dad is my uncle and my dad was his uncle.’
‘They’re brothers. I get it,’ said Liv, amused by the effort of Effie’s explanation.
