Page 3 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

Backstage, Angelia was engulfed in hugs from the band who congratulated her on a brilliant first gig.

‘You’re a bloody natural!’ Josh told her. ‘We definitely made the right decision, eh, guys?’

‘Damn right we did,’ Heath agreed.

Anouk wrapped her arms around Angelia and hugged her tightly. ‘Lorelie was watching over you out there tonight. I could feel her there. You were wonderful.’ Angelia loved Anouk’s French-tinged accent. She was softly spoken and shy unless she was on stage.

Angelia pulled back and looked into Anouk’s eyes. She saw a little sadness but a whole lot of sincerity too. ‘I can’t tell you how much it means to hear you say that,’ she whispered.

Anouk simply smiled and nodded, her eyes glassy with tears now. She patted Angelia’s arm, turned and walked over to the drinks stand.

‘Aye, bloody brilliant,’ Dom said. The gay Glaswegian had always been the heartthrob of the band, to both male and female fans, with his bright blue eyes, thick black hair and stubble-covered chiselled jaw. ‘Lorelie would be so proud.’

She spotted her parents standing with Fiona and Ed, waiting patiently across the room, and she made her way over.

Her dad pulled her into his arms. ‘We’re so proud of you, darlin’,’ he said with a wavering voice. ‘You just belong up there.’

‘Your dad’s right, sweetheart,’ her mum said with tears streaming down her face. ‘You were amazing. Nanny and Grumpa would have loved tonight.’

Hearing mention of her grandparents made tears well in Angelia’s eyes. ‘I wish they could have been here. Thank you for coming, it means the world to me.’

Her dad cupped her face in one hand. ‘Wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Angel.’ He winked.

‘We’ll wait over by the barrier while you speak to Ed and Fiona. I think they’re both bursting to talk to you,’ her mum said, glancing over to where her friends were waiting.

As she approached Fiona and Ed, excitement got the better of her, and she squealed as she jumped up and down on the spot and they joined her. In her periphery she saw her bandmates watching her and laughing. Josh looked on with a handsome smile that melted her heart. She really would need to work on not having a huge crush on him.

‘Oh my God! You were incredible!’ Fiona said as she grappled Angelia into a bear hug. ‘I can’t believe I’m best friends with a rock goddess!’

‘Fee’s right, Angelia. Or should I say Angel? You rocked everyone’s world up there. I couldn’t take my eyes off you,’ Ed said as he put his arms around the two women.

‘What happens now?’ Fiona asked. ‘Are you going straight on the road?’

Angelia nodded. ‘We’re going into the studio for a week or two first to record and write some new songs. It’s a studio in New York where loads of famous people have recorded. I still keep thinking I’m going to wake up and find out this is all a dream.’

‘Nope. It’s all real. We were right, you’re gonna be a rock star,’ Fiona said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

‘So… we erm… won’t see you for a while then?’ Ed asked, a hint of sadness to his tone.

‘Well, no, but we can video call. And I’m sure I’ll be coming home from time to time. Don’t worry, I’m not going to disappear from your lives. You’re stuck with me.’ The thought of not seeing her friends every day was weighing heavy on her, but she didn’t want them to worry so did her best to make light of the situation.

‘We’d better be. We’re going to be lost without you, aren’t we, Ed?’ Fiona said, giving him a nudge.

He nodded. ‘Yeah, yeah, we really are.’

‘Look, I’m busting for the loo. Don’t run off to New York until I get back, okay?’ Fiona said as she darted off down the corridor.

Ed rubbed at his chin. ‘Look, Angelia, can I say something?’

His serious expression concerned Angelia and she frowned. ‘Of course you can, Ed. What’s up?’

He glanced over his shoulder and took a step closer. ‘The thing is… I mean… here’s the thing…’ He stepped from one foot to the other and his gaze darted around, anywhere but on her.

Angelia gave a small laugh. ‘Come on, Ed, it’s not like you to be lost for words. Spit it out.’

His jaw clenched and unclenched beneath his skin, and he shook his head. ‘Okay… I’m only saying this because I’m going to miss you and… I might regret it if I don’t say it. But I’m also worried about ruining things between us. We’ve been friends for two years and I don’t want to lose you but⁠—’

Angelia scowled. ‘Ed, you’re worrying me.’