‘And I’ve got loads of room?’
‘Yeah actually you have. It’s quite a big cupboard. Heaven knows what it was used for?’ An image of Janet swam into her mind and she shuddered.
‘It’s an early example of an escape room. Remember this place was built in the seventeenth century when things were still pretty volatile. When the clans were fighting, things were unpredictable and with the English a constant threat, the owners had a secret room added that they could escape to if the worst happened.’
‘Thank you for the history lesson. Now can you step backwards?’
There was shuffling and Fraser moved away from her and she felt she could breathe a little more normally. She felt another shudder like icy fingers creeping up her spine. ‘When you sayifthe worst happened…’
‘I don’t think it was ever used, which I suppose is a good thing.’ His voice had almost a melody to it, now it was all she had to focus on.
‘Definitely. I’d not want to be shut in here for long. Talking of which how do we get out exactly?’
‘Ideally we need Effie to open it from the other side,’ he said. There was a pause. ‘Effie? I know you’re there and listening.’
There was a huffing sound. ‘I’m not letting you out until you make up,’ said Effie from outside.
‘We already have,’ said Fraser.
‘Err, did I miss that?’ asked Liv.
Fraser breathed out hard, ruffling his hair. She could imagine his exasperated expression. ‘I just got you from the police station didn’t I?’
‘You did and I’ve said thank you for that. But I still think you’re not being honest about everything.’
‘See you’ve not made up,’ said Effie from the other side of the door. ‘I just want us all to be friends.’
‘Effie, please can we talk about this?’ asked Fraser moving forward and bumping into Liv.
‘Hey, mind out.’
‘Can you switch on your torch phone?’ he asked.
‘Nope, it’s on the floor on the other side of the door.’
‘Is it? I thought you kicked it in here.’
They both crouched down at the same time and banged heads. ‘Bloody hell!’ said Liv. ‘I’d be seeing stars if I could see anything right now.’
‘Sorry,’ said Fraser. ‘Start feeling around.’
‘I am!’
‘Don’t get crabbit with me. It’s Effie who’s shut us in here.’
‘Good point. Effie!’ called Liv. There was no response. ‘She’s gone hasn’t she?’
‘I think so,’ said Fraser with a deep sigh.
33
Effie was in the kitchen having a camomile and coconut tea to calm herself. Thankfully the banging and shouting from the cupboard had stopped. It had seemed like a good idea to put Liv and Fraser inside when they had all been standing near the cupboard. She wanted Fraser and Liv to make up because if they didn’t she’d never see Liv again and she really liked her. The back porch door opened and in came Robbie, looking all official and serious.
‘Hey, everything okay?’ asked Effie. ‘I heard you’d been called to a nasty accident.’
‘You can only have received that information from Liv. Has she been released on bail?’
‘No, she’s completely innocent,’ said Effie happily.
