Liv was about to head upstairs to bed when Dolly and Jock’O wheeled in front of her. Liv readied herself for an attack.
‘Can I speak with you?’ asked Dolly.
‘Dolly, you can but I think it’s probably best for everyone and Scottish and English relations if maybe I just go to bed, and tomorrow I’ll be out of your hair and we can all go back to our lives. What do you say?’ Liv looked hopefully at the older woman.
‘I think it’s better to speak out,’ said Dolly.
Liv had feared that might be the case but didn’t interrupt.
‘I don’t know what you came here to achieve and I certainly don’t understand the ghost hunting aspect of it.’
Liv decided it was best to let that go than try to explain what ghosting was.
Dolly continued. ‘But I do know you are a canny lassie with an infectious energy and you have brought out the best and the worst in my grandchildren. I’ve not seen Effie this engaged for such a long time. She retreated into her shell after her father’s untimely death and has been closer to the dead than the living, but with you I’ve seen glimpses of the old Effie. Maybe there’s a chance that she can get over this and eventually live out her dreams of travelling. Perhaps a visit to Blackburn might be a start?’ Dolly tilted her head forward.
‘Err.’ Liv was a little taken aback at Dolly’s words. ‘Thank you, I think. You know Effie is a truly lovely person. She’d be welcome at mine anytime. It’s been a long and weird day, so if that’s all, I’ll say goodnight.’ Liv went to go past Dolly and her scooter but Dolly didn’t move and Jock’O barked as if to tell Liv to stay where she was.
‘There was one other thing,’ said Dolly.
Oh great, here we go, thought Liv. ‘What was that?’ she asked, emphasising a yawn in the hope that Dolly would keep it short. It had been an emotional few days and she really was ready for her bed.
‘You’ve stirred something in Fraser,’ said Dolly. Liv couldn’t help her eyebrows rising. ‘Not in a sexual way,’ added Dolly quickly.
‘Good, that’s good,’ said Liv although on one hand she had to admit she was a little disappointed but on the other she did not want to have any level of discussion about Fraser’s arousal with his grandmother.
‘Fraser is a deep thinker. But when he thinks, he shuts others out. He broods. But with you he gets cross.’
‘Yeah, I noticed that,’ said Liv.
‘But it’s a good thing. He tends to bottle things up but not with you. I mean you fight far too much to be healthy, but I am grateful for you pressing his buttons, so to speak.’
‘Right.’ Liv wasn’t sure what to say. ‘You’re welcome?’
‘And my last point,’ began Dolly.
Thank heavens for that, thought Liv.
‘Maybe rethink rushing off in the morning. It would be better for my grandchildren if the last interaction with you was a positive one.’
‘Okay. Like what exactly?’ asked Liv.
Dolly set off down the hallway. ‘I didn’t have anything specific in mind. It was just an idea. You’ll have to figure the details out for yourself. Goodnight,’ said Dolly, leaving Liv standing at the bottom of the stairs bewildered and wide awake.
The next morning Liv was up bright and early. Partly because she knew she had to be up and ready for the mechanic, but mainly because Dolly’s words had got her thinking and trying to figure out what she could do for the people of Lochy House Hotel so that she was remembered positively. Seeing as everyone had taken her in, she felt doing a little something in return would be nice. Liv fired off an email to an old friend who was a complete whizz when it came to computers and who had got her out of sticky situations with lost documents a number of times. He was quick to respond and excited about taking on the challenge that Liv had set him. One down. The others would need a bit more thought. She was getting herself a cuppa and some toast when the doorbell sounded. She took a slug of slightly too hot tea and grabbed her toast and dashed to the front door.
‘Morning. You Olivia with the BMW?’ asked a jolly man in a Rangers bobble hat.
‘That’s me.’
‘Let’s take a look then and we’ll have you on the road in no time,’ he said happily.
It turned out his optimism was misplaced because ten minutes later he sucked his teeth and declared that the battery was deid. Some phoning around established that the nearest one that would fit this particular model was at a garage near Inverness.
‘Is that far?’ asked Liv.
‘About an hour and a quarter.’
‘That’s just one way is it?’ asked Liv.
‘I’m afraid so.’
She wasn’t going to be getting away anytime soon. But perhaps this was the opportunity she needed to do as Dolly had suggested. ‘Are there any shops on the way?’
‘Erm, what like ladies’ shops?’ He seemed flustered at the prospect.
‘Not exactly. I need to buy some last-minute gifts.’
He grimaced. ‘There’s a DIY store and a boat specialist.’
Maybe she could work with those. ‘Okay, any chance we could call in at those on the way?’
‘We?’ He jerked his head like a seagull waiting for a chip to be thrown.
‘Yes, I was hoping you’d take me with you. Please?’
‘As long as you don’t mind me having my music on.’
‘Of course not,’ said Liv. But once she was in his van and Nicki Minaj was playing at high volume, she knew it was going to be the longest journey of her life.
Despite the terrible tunes, Liv had a productive morning. She’d dashed in and out of the couple of shops on the way, they’d picked up the car battery and the journey back had given her a chance to take in some more of the stunning scenery. While the mechanic swapped over the batteries, Liv’s plan was to get to work on the hotel sign with some rubbing alcohol she’d bought at the DIY store. She walked down to the hotel entrance and was taken aback to find someone was already scrubbing at the sign with a foamy brush. That was a bit annoying. She’d not banked on Fraser paying someone to clean off the graffiti.
‘Hello!’ she called and the man spun around, looking startled.
‘I can explain,’ he said, holding up one palm and a foam dripping brush in the other.
Liv’s spider sense was piqued. ‘You’d better explain and quick before I report you,’ said Liv, trying hard to look like someone of authority.
The man was a similar age to her with light hair and a kind face with dark circles around tired eyes. ‘I’m really sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I was angry and I had a few drinks and then…’ He looked back at the words scrawled across the sign.
‘Name?’ asked Liv.
He paused and swallowed. ‘Are you some sort of undercover cop?’
‘Name?’ she asked more forcefully.
‘Callum Stewart. When I said I could explain, I’m not sure I can. It was just a daft drunken revenge, a lashing-out thing. But I’m trying to put it right now.’ He waved the foam-laden brush and splattered himself with water.
Callum. That name rang a bell. ‘Are you a friend of Fraser Douglas?’
‘I used to be.’ He didn’t seem confident about that.
A few things clicked into place. ‘You copped off with Lizzie!’ She did a gasp that was worthy of Effie, making Callum recoil slightly. ‘You did this. You’re the shite graffiti artist!’
Callum was giving her a strange look. ‘You’re not an undercover cop. Who are you?’
She was about to tell him and then had a thought. If this was the graffiti artist was he also the ghosting fake Fraser? ‘I’m Olivia Bingham.’ She watched him very closely. There wasn’t even a hint of recollection. ‘I’ve been staying and helping out at the hotel.’ She held up the bottle she was carrying. ‘I got this to clean the graffiti off the sign. Want a hand?’
He was a little hesitant but then shrugged. ‘Yeah, why not? Thanks.’
It was hard work but the spray paint did start to disappear. It was also a good opportunity to get a bit more information.
‘I hear you and Lizzie split up. Sorry about that.’
‘Thanks.’
Liv had been hoping for a bit more. ‘Can you explain something to me? You and Lizzie were doing the dirty behind Fraser’s back and then you nicked his idea and set up a rival restaurant. But you were angry enough with him to deface his sign. What’s that all about?’
Callum sighed. ‘I’m not proud of any of that. It’s not an excuse, but when Lizzie wants something she’s a force of nature.’
‘Blimey, she should be a politician.’
‘She’d be great at that,’ agreed Callum.
‘So why the graffiti?’ asked Liv.
‘Lizzie and I had a massive row about her poaching all Fraser’s staff and she said she was going into business with him…’ He suddenly seemed aware that he was talking to a stranger. He cleared his throat. ‘Anyway, I was hurting and I went out on the lash and somehow I ended up here.’
‘With a spray can?’ queried Liv.
Callum looked sheepish. ‘I called at the petrol station to get more booze and they had them on offer. But when I sobered up I realised Lizzie treated us all badly and I’m ashamed for the part I played in it and for this. I regret it all.’ He pointed at the sign. At least that was one mystery solved.
‘Sometimes it’s a shame we can’t turn the clock back,’ said Liv, and Callum sagely nodded his agreement.
‘Any chance you know anything about an online dating profile for Fraser?’ she asked.
Callum pulled his chin into his chest. ‘Fraser, online dating? He doesn’t seem the type.’
Liv felt a little defensive. ‘The profile I’m on about was one Fraser didn’t set up. Someone else did and then they pretended to be him.’
‘Why?’
‘That’s the bit I’ve not worked out yet. Along with who did it. It’s a puzzle really. Definitely not your handiwork then?’
‘Nothing to do with me.’
‘Right, let’s get this sign sorted.’ After a few more minutes of scrubbing they stood back to admire their handiwork. Not only was it graffiti-free, but it was also clean and gleaming. Hopefully Fraser would be pleased with that. They were doing a bit of self-congratulation when a white Mercedes drove up the driveway too fast and Callum’s head spun after it.
‘Hell!’ He started running after the white car.
‘What is it?’ called Liv.
‘That’s Lizzie!’ he called back.
It looked like things were about to kick off again. Liv was contemplating whether she should stick her nose in or not, when Robbie’s police car swung into the driveway and headed for the hotel. Liv had no idea what was about to go down but she was keen to find out, so she jogged after them.