‘Please.’
Together they carried the crate through to the kitchen and began unpacking it. Effie didn’t say anything, which Liv realised was quite unusual. Now she watched her she seemed preoccupied. ‘Everything all right?’ asked Liv as Effie passed her far more garlic than anyone could ever need.
‘Me?’ Effie looked around and then pointed to her chest.
‘Yeah, you. Are you okay?’
‘Yep,’ she said as she put the empty crate in the freezer.
Liv retrieved it. ‘You’re not okay. Sit down. What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing.’ Effie perched one bum cheek on one of the high stools.
‘Is it John?’
Effie breathed out in a gush. ‘It is and I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell Dolly or Fraser because they don’t know about him and they wouldn’t understand.’
‘What’s happened?’
‘He sent me this.’ Effie pulled out her phone and bit her lip as she passed it to Liv.
Liv read the message:This might be goodbye, my love. Almost out of money. You’ve brought me so much happiness and joy. I only wanted to help the needy but I can’t do any more. Please pray for me. All love John x
Alarm bells were starting to ring in Liv’s head. She looked up at Effie’s expectant face. ‘What do you think?’
‘I need to help him. But how? He’s so far away.’
‘Yeah. I think that’s how he wants you to feel. At least he hasn’t asked for money.’
‘But he does need money. Maybe I should offer to send him some,’ she said.
‘No, no, no. Don’t do that.’ Liv was struggling – she wanted to alert Effie to a possible issue but at the same time she didn’t want to burst her bubble. ‘I’m sure he’ll find a way to sort things out. Have you got any photos?’
‘Ooh yes.’ Effie’s mood lifted as she showed Liv on her phone. Up popped a picture of a smiling young man with short cropped hair and what looked like an American army uniform.
‘Is he in the army by any chance?’ asked Liv.
‘He is. He’s taking a sabbatical to help people after he was on a dangerous mission and suffered trauma.’
‘Right,’ said Liv no longer able to hide her cynicism. ‘And you believe him?’
Effie pulled her chin in. ‘Of course I do.’
‘You see I’m not so sure. You get a lot of men claiming to be American generals but they’re con men and I’m worried that—’
‘Stop it!’ Effie’s voice was almost a shout. ‘John’s not like that. He’s lovely.’
‘But what if he isn’t?’
Effie shook her head. ‘I thought you were my friend. I told you because I thought you’d understand but you’re just like everyone else. You think I’m stupid and that I don’t know my own heart. But I do.’
‘Effie, look—’ But Liv didn’t get to say any more. With tears welling in her eyes Effie stormed out of the kitchen and Liv was grateful that it was a swing door because otherwise she knew it would have slammed. Liv sighed. Perhaps she could have handled that better. Poor Effie. The door opened again and a large crate came in with Fraser carrying it. He plonked it on the counter. ‘What’s wrong with Effie?’
Liv opened her mouth but engaged her brain in the nick of time. She couldn’t tell Fraser the truth without revealing Effie’s secret boyfriend, but which was worse? ‘She’s a bit sensitive.’
‘Heavens, Liv! What have you said to upset her?’ said Fraser.
‘Thanks for assuming it’s my fault!’
