Page 13 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

Fiona grinned. ‘Come on, MacAuley, you’re using avoidance tactics. Spill it, where is the giant specimen of a man taking you?’

‘Okay, so, no, I’m not taking security. And we’re going to The Ivy. They’re used to well-known people dining there so there’ll no doubt be someone more famous than us for people to get excited about.’

‘The one in the West End?’ Fiona asked and Angelia nodded. ‘Ooh, I’ve seen it on TikTok. You’re right, all the stars love that place. I’ve heard it’s Madonna’s favourite restaurant, if you bump into her you have to get a selfie.’ She winced. ‘Sorry. Go on…’

‘Anyway, I have no clue what to wear. Hence the real reason for my call.’

‘I’d go jeans and a nice top. Maybe a sexy top. But don’t get too dressed up, because from what I’ve seen online it’s a fairly casual place. I like that teal short-sleeved Nina Picarro one. I’ve always been jealous of that top. It’s gorgeous. And I think your black velvet jeans, so you’re sort of dressy but in a casual way. Oh, and of course strappy heels.’

Angelia knew she had made the right decision in contacting her best friend. She could envisage the outfit, and it was perfect. ‘Thanks, Fee, that’ll work really well. Hey, just a thought, have you heard from Ed lately?’

Fiona nodded. ‘Aye, he’s touring with the New York Philharmonic for a short time, didn’t he tell you?’

‘Wow!’ Angelia shook her head as a wave of sadness washed over her. ‘And no, I haven’t heard from him in a few weeks. I’m not sure why.’ Ed had originally landed his dream job playing for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, but this latest snippet of news had passed her by. ‘I’m happy for him though. He must be over the moon.’

‘Aye, it’s only a temporary gig but he was dead happy about it. And don’t take it personally, hon, he’s just really busy. He never talks for long when I call him. And his replies to my messages are usually very short.’

‘At least he messages you back,’ Angelia replied, wondering what, if anything, she had done wrong.

‘I don’t think he gets much down time, to be honest. He’s dating someone new though. Her name’s Ava and she’s a cellist. She’s Australian.’

‘Aw… that’s nice.’ Angelia’s heart sank. She was a little disappointed to have heard it second hand too. ‘I’ll message again and pester him until he replies.’

Fiona giggled. ‘Good plan. Persistence is key! Anyway, let me know how the date goes. I’m excited for you.’

Angelia smiled. ‘Thanks. I will. I’m so nervous.’

‘Aww, don’t be. Just be yourself and he will adore you like the rest of us.’

After checking her appearance one last time in the mirror and applying a little more nude gloss to her lips, Angelia ran her fingers through her long chestnut waves and huffed.

‘I’ll have to do, Scrappy,’ she told the little canine who watched her every move with apparent intrigue. ‘Be a good boy and Mummy will be back soon, okay?’ She kissed the top of his head and made her way down to the foyer where she was greeted by the concierge, a middle-aged man called Malcolm. He informed her that her driver was waiting just outside.

‘Evening, Miss MacAuley,’ Austin said as she climbed into the back seat.

‘Hi, Austin. Thank you for picking me up but I could’ve got a tube or a cab. I’m sure you have better things to be doing with your Saturday evening.’

‘Nah, you’re fine, miss,’ he replied in his London drawl. ‘Den insisted you had a chauffeur in case there are any paparazzi around. I’m to collect Meghan before I come to pick you up later. Again, just in case…’

Angelia silently rolled her eyes but kept her opinions to herself.

Ezra stood as she approached the table at the back of the restaurant. He towered over her as he bent to kiss her on both cheeks. He smelled incredible; fresh, clean and very expensive. ‘Wow, you look beautiful,’ he said as he pulled out her chair.

‘Thanks, you look lovely too,’ Angelia said as her stomach flipped. He really was very handsome in the flesh. As she scooted her chair in, she knocked into the table leg and a bottle of water on the table wobbled over but Ezra caught it before it could hit the tiled floor. Impressive, she thought.

A waiter came to hand them menus and take an order for drinks. Ezra was the perfect gentleman.

‘What would you like to drink, Angelia? I’m happy to have whatever you like.’

‘I’m afraid I’m not that daring so a glass of Sauvignon Blanc will be fine for me.’

Ezra looked up at the waiter. ‘Make it a bottle with two glasses, thanks.’

The waiter left them, and they both pored over their menus. ‘Everything sounds so good,’ Angelia said as her stomach rumbled a little too loudly for her liking. She glanced up but thankfully Ezra hadn’t noticed. She had been too anxious to eat during the day, so she was just about ready to eat a horse – but only if it was made of tofu considering she was vegetarian.

‘It does. But then again, I love the food at this place,’ Ezra replied. ‘Well, I think it has to be the pan-fried seabass for me. I hear theirs is one of the best.’

‘Hmm, I think I’ll go with the wild mushroom carnaroli. I’ve had that here once before and it was incredible.’