‘No it’s not,’ said Liv.
Charlotte puffed out a breath and it plumed in front of her in the cold air. ‘I feel like I have to look out for you and Mum. But I know you’ll be okay. Despite what you think you will find the right person for you if and when you’re ready. You don’t need someone to complete you – that’s just trash they use to fill magazines.’
‘I know that,’ said Liv. ‘I am a strong, independent woman.’ She pulled back her shoulders, lifted her chin and walked with a swagger.
‘You’re also an idiot and I love you,’ said Charlotte, giving her a nudge. ‘You had better have got Mum a good present in there.’
‘I have,’ said Liv defensively. She glanced at the jumble of bright pink paper. Oh well it was too late now.
*
It was Christmas morning and Effie was even more excited than the time she’d thought she’d seen Santa’s reindeer on the lawn and it had turned out to be a plain old ordinary deer. She cannoned down the stairs and into the library to find someone had beaten her to being the first one up. The lights were all on and twinkling, and a new fire was just taking in the grate. The small pile of presents under the tree had grown as others had secretly added theirs before going to bed.
‘Hey, no opening until everyone is up!’ scolded Fraser from the doorway. ‘Breakfast first.’
‘Okay,’ said Effie and once he’d gone she checked the tag on the nearest present and saw it was for her. She picked it up, held it to her ear and gave it a little shake.
‘Oi, breakfast,’ said Fraser reappearing and she guiltily put the present down and ran giggling from the room.
It wasn’t long before they were all sitting by the fire with drinks in hand and Jock’O in pole position. They had opened a few presents and Effie was very pleased with her book on Scottish Myths and Legends and her witch’s brew candle. Dolly was trying out a new hand cream and Fraser was sorting out the fake presents.
‘Did you wrap up bog rolls?’ he asked moving one of the large parcels.
‘It was all to get the right effect,’ said Effie.
‘Are these fake too?’ he asked holding up a very round package wrapped in pink Christmas trees.
‘No, is there a label?’
Fraser turned it over and found a piece of white paper taped to it and read it out. ‘To Ginger, you lucky cow. Love from Liv.’ He blinked as he said her name.
‘Ooh that’s kind of her,’ said Effie. ‘Can I open it?’
‘I think it’s pretty obvious what it is,’ said Fraser passing it to her. ‘And it will last all of five seconds like every other ball she’s got hold of.’
At the mention of the word ball Jock’O lifted a lazy head but when there wasn’t one in sight he flopped back down again as the fire cracked and sizzled.
Effie tore off the Christmassy paper to reveal something a little unexpected. ‘It’s a boat fender or buoy,’ said Fraser.
‘But Ginger doesn’t have a boat,’ said Effie. This was a weird gift.
‘No but it’s almost the same as a ball and given it’s made of tough stuff it might actually last when she hoofs it around the yard. It’s actually a very good present,’ he conceded.
‘Any more things wrapped in that paper?’ asked Dolly, putting her hand cream away.
‘Yep,’ said Fraser, passing them to her.
Dolly unwrapped a pair of thick socks for Jock’O, which he instantly took interest in and for her a travel cup and cup holder that had a note with it saying –It’s really for a boat but I think it will also fit on your wheelchair from Liv.‘Ooh what a good idea,’ said Dolly. ‘I’m always leaving mugs of tea places.’ She looked at Effie. ‘What did you get?’
Effie had opened a set of ghost fairy lights from Liv that she was over the moon with and was now looking at the letter that was in with them.
‘What’s it say?’ asked Fraser.
Effie swallowed and read it out. ‘Dear Effie, You have quickly become my friend and I wanted to get you a little something to say thank you for being my bestie in Scotland. I saw the little light-up ghosts and thought of you and Janet. They were in the sale section with other Halloween stuff but it’s the thought that counts, right? Anyway, I also did something else. I have a friend who is a whizz with computers. The judge called him a hacker but that’s another story. He sent an email to “John” making out it was from you with details of a money transfer but it was really a virus. I’m pleased to report that John’s computer has been wiped of all information, which hopefully is a giant pain in the bum for him and will stop him from conning women for a while. Lots of love and don’t forget to visit, Liv x.’ Effie lifted her head and looked at Dolly and Fraser’s faces.
‘Well done, Liv,’ said Fraser. ‘She gave Karma a helping hand.’
‘Um, who is John and isn’t giving his computer a virus very illegal?’ asked Dolly.
