It was Liv’s turn to look like she’d been smacked in the face with a pan, which was also exactly how she felt. How those two had slipped under her radar she wasn’t sure. ‘What did I miss then?’ she asked feeling and sounding narked. There had been that odd moment when Shanie had said something when she’d seen Liv and Fraser together. Had Liv inadvertently got herself in a love triangle?
‘Nothing. She’s deluded.’ He ran his hands through his hair and left a bit sticking up.
‘Is she?’ asked Liv, feeling strangely defensive on Shanie’s part. ‘Or did you also kiss her under the mistletoe?’
‘What? No. Is that what this is about? You’re jealous. Jeez.’ He threw his head back and blew out a breath. ‘I don’t believe this.’
‘Nor do I,’ said Liv. ‘Why do you lead women on and then deny everything? What is your problem?’
‘I didn’t do anything. Shanie has got it all wrong. She said a few things and maybe there was some flirting.’
‘Is that all?’
Fraser looked sheepish. ‘She came knocking on my door the other night and her intentions were pretty clear.’
‘What did you do?’ Although Liv wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
Fraser looked embarrassed. ‘I pretended to be asleep. There really is nothing going on, so I don’t know why she put a heart or why she thinks… Heavens, I don’t know what she thinks.’
Liv made a heart shape with her hands.
‘She doesn’t love me; she doesn’t know me,’ said Fraser.
‘Did you exchange phone numbers?’
‘Yeah.’
Liv gave him her ‘there you go then’ look.
‘Come on.’ Fraser was looking exasperated. ‘That is not the universal sign for “I love you”.’ That was the moment Effie chose to walk in.
‘Yay! My two favourite people are in love! Well, apart from Jedward, David Tennant, Taylor Swift and Dolly – and Jock’O, who technically isn’t a person so doesn’t really count. Oh and Sharleen Spiteri.’ Fraser and Liv were both staring at her aghast. ‘But yay two of my top-ten people are in love.’
‘Na-huh,’ said Liv shaking her head so fast it made her ears ring.
‘Definitely not in love withher,’ said Fraser stabbing a finger in Liv’s direction.
‘Hey!’ said Liv. ‘You don’t need to be mean.’
‘I wasn’t being mean; I was simply agreeing with you.’
‘But you said you loved her.’ Effie looked beyond sad.
‘No, he meant Shanie Cortina,’ explained Liv.
Effie’s sad expression instantly evaporated. ‘Yay! Shanie would be in my top ten too. And she’s famous. This is the best news. Wait ’til Granny hears.’ Effie turned to leave.
‘Stop!’ Fraser held up his palm. ‘Please can we stop all the madness – it’s making ma heid mince. Let’s keep this simple and get something very clear.’ He glanced at Liv and then focused on Effie. ‘I am not in love with anybody.’
‘Except maybe yourself,’ muttered Liv, seeing if her phone had a smidgeon enough charge for her to use.
‘Hang on,’ said Fraser. ‘Can you please stop sniping at me for one—’
‘Bloody hell,’ said Liv. ‘You’ve gone viral. Look at these numbers. Instagram. TikTok. Thousands and thousands of likes and going up all the time.’ She showed them both her phone where she’d been searching on social media.
Fraser ran his hands through his hair. ‘How do we make it stop?’
The phone in reception started to ring and all three heads turned in that direction.
