‘No, she’s a hairdresser.’
Liv didn’t know how to respond to that. ‘Anyway, tea?’
‘Please,’ said Effie sitting down on the bed. ‘I miss my mam doing my hair too.’
‘Your hair is lovely. Great colour.’ Liv took in the rich chestnut shade as Effie swished it about.
‘It’s out of a box. Well, everyone’s ginger aren’t they.’ Liv was considering how to reply when Effie went off at a tangent. ‘I am so excited about today. Aren’t you?’
Excited probably wasn’t the first word that sprung to mind. ‘I’m more apprehensive, worried even and a little nauseous if I’m being honest.’ She’d persuaded Fraser to go ahead with the showcase night and now a lot was riding on them and the local geriatric community pulling it off.
‘Don’t be silly. It’ll be fine. Robbie says we have experience on our side.’
‘I’m not sure what else we have though.’ Liv feared they may not all stay awake for the duration and, if they did, were they capable of helping Fraser to produce an exemplary four-course meal with top-class service? Only time would tell.
Robbie stopped by to tell Liv that her wrecked tyre had been replaced and to hand her a hefty bill. She made a phone call to the garage and settled up. She was not looking forward to her January credit card bill. But at least now with the car fixed she could make a quick getaway the next morning or whenever it suited her.
Most of the day went by in a whirl of cleaning, laying tables and food preparation, until a couple of hours before guests were due to arrive Dolly appeared in the kitchen looking flustered. ‘There’s a problem,’ she said.
Fraser put down the knife he was holding and shut his eyes tight. ‘What is it?’ he asked.
‘The helpers have just arrived and the good news is we’ve still got Donald.’ Liv wasn’t holding out a lot of hope if Diarrhoea Donald was the good news. ‘Unfortunately Meredith has a migraine so she couldn’t come and nobody else is insured to drive the minibus. So Donald has had to drive.’
‘Who’ve we got?’ asked Liv.
‘Hester, Sheena and Winnie,’ said Dolly.
‘Yay, we still have Winnie,’ said Effie. ‘I love Winnie – she’s the cutest.’
Fraser rubbed a hand over his face. ‘I canna believe it. It’s like there’s a force trying to block me at every turn.’
‘Och for goodness’ sake, that’s enough of the dramatics,’ said Dolly. ‘Effie and Liv will have to double up. They’ll need to help in here as well as serving.’
Liv scratched her head. ‘Look, I’m all for working hard but I just don’t think that’ll work.’
Fraser stood up straight. ‘Then Effie you’re in the kitchen,’ he said. ‘And Liv you prep and then shift to waiting tables.’
‘That could work.’ Liv tried to look enthusiastic. Dolly crossed her fingers but even she didn’t look convinced. Dolly left. Fraser had his hands on the counter and looked like he was about to have a panic attack. ‘It’ll be okay,’ she said.
His head snapped in her direction. ‘How?’
‘Because everyone here wants it to be a success. We are all rooting for you. Even Gordon Ramsay doesn’t have that most of the time – all his staff think he’s a prize dick.’
Fraser snorted a laugh. ‘And I’m not?’
Liv thought for a second. ‘No, you’re not. I mean you’re a bit of an arse but you’d not win prizes for it.’
Fraser belly-laughed in response.
‘So we’re good?’ asked Liv picking up his scarily big knife and presenting it to him.
There was a small pause before he took it from her. ‘Yeah, we’re good.’
They all worked like demons and got as much prepared and on the cusp of ready as they could to minimise effort when it was time to cook and serve. Liv was getting plates lined up so that serving was swift when Dolly came in wearing black and white and looking very smart, and she was also minus Jock’O.
‘Right, you need to get showered and changed,’ said Dolly shooing Liv out of the kitchen to get ready.
‘It’ll be fine,’ said Liv as a passing comment to Fraser. ‘Okay?’
