He gave her a nod. ‘Thanks.’ It wasn’t a big word but the expression it came with meant a lot. They made a good team.
Liv liked a shower. She usually liked to spend longer under the water than she could today, but she found it was a great place for thinking. And today her thoughts were on Fraser. How could this be the same person who had ghosted her? It didn’t make sense. Unless it was some weird retaliation for the way Lizzie had treated him but that was feeling less and less likely the longer she knew him. Perhaps there was someone else behind the Fraser profile. Maybe someone had just used his photograph but then surely all the other information wouldn’t match to the real Fraser. Not that she was trying to find reasons to let him off the hook, but it was at least something she felt she should explore. But if there was someone else behind it, who could that be?
When Liv came out of the bathroom, Effie was waiting for her. ‘I’ve got you a black skirt and white shirt to wear, and I thought I could do your hair.’ Effie held up a hairbrush.
‘Thanks, Effie, that’s kind but I’ll be okay sorting out my hair. Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course. We’re friends, you can ask me anything.’
‘Do you know anything about an online dating profile for Fraser?’ Liv watched Effie’s reaction closely in case she gave anything away.
Effie’s eyes pinged wide and she put her hands to her mouth. ‘Show me – I have to see this. There was me thinking he’d laugh at me and he’s been doing it himself. Do you think he has a John too? Well, not a John, but a Judy? What about poor Shanie? Uh I hope he’s not two-timing Shanie and Judy.’
Liv wasn’t sure how things seemed to escalate so fast with Effie but at least she had her answer – Effie clearly hadn’t set up the profile on Fraser’s behalf, either with or without his knowledge. ‘It was a hypothetical question, Effie. Sort of a what if he did have one.’
‘Right. Do you mean hedoesn’thave an online dating account?’ She seemed confused.
Maybe now was a good time to explain the whole situation to Effie. ‘No not now but you see—’
There was the sound of a text arriving. ‘Hang on,’ said Effie pulling her phone from her pocket. The happy-go-lucky expression slid away as she scrolled.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Liv, giving her hair a rub with the towel.
‘It’s John.’
‘Right. And let me guess: things have got worse and now he needs money?’
Effie’s mouth fell open. ‘How did you know?’
Liv scrunched up her eyes. ‘Because that’s usually the next move…’ Effie’s fingers were skidding over her phone screen. ‘What are you doing?’ asked Liv.
‘He needs money and I can’t log in to my online bank account and—’
Liv had been waving her hands for some time before Effie eventually paused for breath. ‘What exactly does he need money for?’ she asked as a room full of alarm bells rang in her head.
Effie opened her mouth, but for once nothing came out. There was a long pause before she spoke again. ‘I’m not sure. To get away? What should I do?’
‘For a start, don’t send any money,’ said Liv.
Effie frowned. ‘But he’s in danger.’ She looked genuinely panicked.
How did Liv tell her that this perfect boyfriend she’d put on a pedestal was a con man? It would be like kicking a puppy. ‘You only have his word for that.’
‘Why would he lie?’
Liv tried hard to think of a nice way to break it to Effie gently, but there didn’t seem to be one. ‘I’m sorry, Effie. He’s lying because he’s trying to con you out of money.’
Effie laughed. ‘No, he’s not.’
‘Effie, it’s not your fault. I got conned too, in a way. These men – they don’t care about us. They pretend they do but they don’t. And John is just the same. He’s spun you a story and now it’s payday.’
‘That’s awful.’
‘I know. Some men are.’
‘Not John. You! You’re awful. How could you say such horrible things?’ Effie rushed downstairs leaving Liv on the landing dripping wet and feeling that, yet again, she’d handled that badly.
By the time Liv had got ready and made it downstairs guests had started to arrive and Dolly was showing them into the dining room on her scooter. The slow speed seemed to make it feel more of an occasion. Fraser had spared no expense on the quality of the table linen and the silverware had come up well after a good polish. The décor was slick and minimal, and the few sprigs of holly, mistletoe and ivy that Effie had insisted upon worked very well and hopefully would also bring peace and good luck to the evening – Liv could only hope because at this stage that was all she had left.
