Effie was blown away by what Liv had done. She loved that Liv knew someone who could wreck John’s computer. Liv was right – at least now he’d lost all the information he’d probably built up, it would take a while before he was in a position to start approaching women again. Effie even hoped that perhaps this would be the wake-up call he needed to realise the error of his ways and get himself a proper job. She’d play that little story out in her head and hope it came true. She didn’t like the thought of anyone else being upset like she had been. Although, even today it didn’t seem quite the disaster it had first felt like.
She’d thought she’d found someone special in John but even in the midst of all the excitement and subterfuge she’d known it wasn’t love. She’d liked the reassurance of him telling her she wasn’t an idiot, but now she realised she was surrounded by people who didn’t think she was daft and that was what really mattered.
Effie absent-mindedly flicked the ghost lights on and off. She felt her grandmother’s hand on her shoulder.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Dolly, with a kind and knowing smile.
‘I’m all good,’ said Effie and she meant it.
Dolly turned her attention to Fraser. ‘What did Liv give you?’ she asked, nodding at the gift in Fraser’s hands.
Fraser took a moment before holding up a deflated plastic man. ‘Her note to me says: Hi Fraser, I’ve done some tinkering and your website search engine optimisation should be better than it was. Your security is pants so you need to change your password.’ He rolled his eyes at that before carrying on. ‘I’m also gifting you my friend Plastic Stan. He’s not much of a talker but he’s a terrific listener and will make a good stand-in until you realise how valuable your friendship with Callum is and that it’s not something you want to let Lizzie ruin. All the best. Liv. P.S. It was nice meeting you for real.’
‘Good grief,’ said Dolly, putting one hand over her mouth and pointing with the other. ‘Is that a sex toy?’
Effie burst out laughing and Fraser looked decidedly uncomfortable. ‘I think so, but it’s just a joke.’
‘Hmm,’ said Dolly. ‘It’s an unusual Christmas present but I have to admit, I think what she says is true.’
‘About Stan being a good listener?’ said Fraser, tipping his head to one side and smiling.
‘About you and Callum. We can all act like bampots now and again. And I don’t want to play down what Callum did, because it was deceitful and the worst kind of betrayal. But there’s no prize for taking the higher ground here. You’ll only lose your friend for good. And I think it would annoy Lizzie no end if you and Callum made up, so that’s probably the best reason to give him a call.’
‘And it’s Christmas,’ chipped in Effie. ‘You shouldn’t fight at Christmas.’
‘I don’t know. Maybe I’m not the forgiving type,’ said Fraser.
‘You forgave Liv for accusing you of being a ghost. And you forgave me for whacking you in the gentleman parts with a flowerpot.’
‘You were only seven at the time, Effie.’
‘Still, it means you can find it within you to forgive and forget. You just need to speak to Callum.’ Effie put her hands on her hips.
Fraser looked Stan over and smiled at the note in his hands. ‘I’ll think about it,’ he said.
The doorbell went. ‘I’ll get it. Do you think it’s Callum?’ asked Effie getting to her feet. ‘That would be spooky,’ she added as she left the room with Jock’O at her heels carrying a sock to greet the visitor with.
‘It’s Christ-mas!’ announced Winnie in a very high-pitched attempt to mimic Slade’s Noddy Holder. Unfortunately it set off a coughing fit.
‘Goodness, Winnie. Merry Christmas,’ said Effie trying and failing to hurry the old lady inside. ‘Granny is in the library.’
‘Wonderful,’ said Winnie and she shuffled in that direction with a small bag of presents dangling from her walking frame. ‘My chauffeur is just parking the car,’ she added with a giggle.
Effie was about to follow her when the doorbell went again and she opened the door to a very large present, which moved down to reveal the deliverer. ‘Yuletide felicitations,’ said Robbie, who was wearing a Santa hat.
Effie was super excited to see him. She’d done some thinking since yesterday. The fact that he’d gone to the trouble of finding the video of her dad for her meant so much. It was the kindest thing anyone had done and when she took a moment to think about it, Robbie had only ever been lovely to her. ‘Happy Christmas. Come in,’ she said, unable to hide her grin. They walked up the hallway and both faltered near the mistletoe. ‘Sorry about yesterday,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what Liv was thinking.’ Effie felt a little embarrassed when she recalled the moment they’d both looked up to find themselves directly underneath it. Obviously they hadn’t kissed and now, if she was honest, she was a little worried about evil spirits but undeniably excited about the prospect of witches. She took Robbie through to the library where Fraser quickly bundled up Stan.
‘I need to check on the roast beef,’ he said. ‘Hiya, Robbie. Did you want to stay for dinner?’
‘Festive greetings one and all,’ said Robbie. ‘Thanks for the offer but my mother will roast me if I’m not there for Christmas dinner.’ He chuckled and Effie giggled along.
Dolly turned her scooter in the direction of the door. ‘I’d best give the lad a hand,’ she said. ‘Come on, Winnie,’ she added. Winnie had only made it to the doorway anyway. They both followed Fraser out with a sock-carrying Jock’O at Dolly’s wheels, leaving Robbie and Effie alone.
There was a moment of silence where Robbie seemed hesitant, and Effie took a moment to look at him. He’d always been just little Robbie Williams who lived in the next village and shared his chocolate biscuit with her at school break time. She’d never taken the time to appreciate the kind, quirky and well-turned-out man he’d grown into. When the silence got too much Effie jumped into action. ‘I got you something,’ she said grabbing a small parcel from under the tree and thrusting it at him. ‘Open it.’
‘Right. Thank you. You shouldn’t have.’ He put down the large package and took the offered gift. He carefully peeled away the tape, preserving the paper, and cautiously unwrapped the present. ‘It’s a keyring and sugared mice.’
‘And attached to the keyring is a handcuff key. It’s extendable so if you found yourself in a similar situation to, you know…’ She mimed being stuck in handcuffs. ‘You should be able to easily unlock them.’
‘Thanks, Effie, that’s thoughtful of you.’
‘And mice because everyone needs sugared mice at Christmas.’ It was all a bit tense and Effie wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t uncomfortable exactly but it was like waiting for the woosh of the firework after the tape is lit.
‘And here, this is for you. It’s just a little something,’ he said picking up the rather large parcel and almost taking Effie out as he thrust it in her direction at the same time she stepped forward to take it. ‘Sorry!’ he added.
‘Thank you.’ Effie shredded the paper and instantly revealed a yellow suitcase. She looked at it and felt a little anxious.
‘It’s for when you firm up your plans to explore the world. I know it’s something you’re building up to.’
‘I thought I’d start with Blackburn to see Liv and then France to visit Mum.’
‘And when you’re ready you’ll have the right kit,’ said Robbie.
‘Thank you,’ she said throwing her arms around him. He was a little taken by surprise and there was a delay before his arms wrapped tightly around her. They stayed in each other’s arms, neither one wanting to pull away. She tilted her head back a fraction. Their faces were very close. Effie looked up and then back into Robbie’s eyes.
‘Is there any mistletoe?’ he asked.
‘No,’ said Effie, her voice barely a whisper as her heart hammered in her chest.
‘Good,’ said Robbie and he kissed her.
*
Liv found something comforting about being back in her usual routine. Christmas at her mum’s always started with pancakes for breakfast although now they had Buck’s Fizz with them instead of chocolate milkshake like they had done as kids. The Now That’s What I Call Christmas album was playing because it was their mum’s favourite and even though it had some proper festive howlers they all hummed along to it. Charlotte and Liv both helped to get the vegetables prepared while the delicious smell of the cooking turkey filled the little kitchen. Their mum always got up early on Christmas morning to put it in the oven on low. When the kitchen was looking fairly tidy and everything was prepared it was finally time to start opening the presents.
As usual Charlotte must have spent ages wrapping hers because they were perfect with matching curly ribbons and tags and even little tinkly bells hanging from them. Everyone was pleased with what they’d been given, even if her mum was a little confused about the soft-close toilet seat Liv had bought her from the DIY shop. Well, she couldn’t just give her smellies.
Liv had been putting off opening the envelope she’d found at the bottom of her bag but now she’d opened everything, even the selection box her mum always bought them both, so there was nothing else for it. She ripped open the envelope. Inside was a gift card and instructions plus a brief note. It read: Hello Liv, I wanted you to have this. I bought them for all of us months ago when there was an offer on and there was one spare. Sorry, can’t lie, this one was for Lizzie but obviously I’m not going to give her a Christmas present when she cruelly cheated on my cousin. You never know we might be related. Love ya, Effie – followed by too many kisses to count.
‘What is it?’ asked her mum, which made Liv take a closer look at the card. ‘It’s a heritage DNA kit. You do a swab test and send it off to find out your genetic make-up and where your predecessors originated.’
‘Who’s it from?’ asked Charlotte.
‘Effie, from Scotland. She must have put it in my bag when I was doing something.’
‘A DNA kit from someone you just met – that’s proper weird,’ said Charlotte.
‘No. It’s cool. I like it and what’s more I’m going to do it and send it off,’ said Liv.
‘Not until after dinner,’ said her mum. ‘That turkey should be done to perfection around about now.’ And she hurried off to the kitchen.
Charlotte stared at her. ‘What?’ asked Liv.
‘You’re different since Scotland. I’m not sure what it is exactly.’
‘I feel different,’ said Liv, putting the letter away. Charlotte was still studying her closely. ‘What now?’ she asked.
‘Just wondering how much Neanderthal is in your DNA.’
‘Hey!’ Liv whacked her with a cushion. It was exactly how Christmas should be.