Page 43 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

‘Ruby!’ Angelia beamed at her friend as she stepped inside and the two women hugged.

‘How are you doing?’ Ruby asked. She narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you okay after your visit to hospital? I can’t believe that happened. You must have been terrified. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when it happened but I’m so glad Ferris was.’ Ruby had always taken on the role of big sister, even though there wasn’t much of an age gap between them.

Angelia nodded. ‘I’m fine now, don’t you worry. It’s good to see you.’

Ruby hugged her again. ‘You too, gorgeous. So, I’m guessing you’re talking about the record shop plans.’ Angelia nodded. ‘Bella is so creative that whatever she comes up with will be incredible.’

‘She’s a genius. It’s going to be such a beautiful shop and I can’t wait to see it all come together now,’ Angelia said, smiling at Bella.

‘It’s my first record shop so I’m going all out,’ Bella said. ‘Hey, we need to arrange another girls’ night soon, Ruby. I think we’re overdue. And I’m sure Angelia and Meghan would enjoy it too.’ She turned to Angelia and told her, ‘We’ve spent many a night at the Coxswain singing along to whatever performer Joren and Stella have booked. They get some really good musicians in.’

Ruby giggled. ‘There’s usually a glass of wine or three involved too.’

Angelia laughed along. ‘Definitely sounds like fun.’

Ruby gave her shoulder a nudge. ‘Aye but you’d show us all up so we might have to make sure you’re barred next time there’s a singer on.’ Then, as if realising she had said the wrong thing, Ruby covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Shit, sorry, Angelia, that was really insensitive, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking.’ She reached out to touch her arm.

Angelia waved a dismissive hand. ‘No, don’t be silly. It’s fine, honestly. You don’t need to walk on eggshells around me. It is what it is.’ She needed to nip this worry in the bud. The last thing she wanted was for people to be on guard around her.

‘You’re so strong, my lovely,’ Ruby said with a smile and a brief glint of sadness in her eyes, but she brightened quickly and followed it with, ‘But of course you always have been. Anyway, I’d better get going, I’ve a dance class to teach soon and I need to open up the hall and set up. I just wanted to come and say “hi”. Let’s catch up for coffee soon. Drop me a message when you’re free again.’ She hugged Angelia one last time. ‘It’s so lovely to have you here. I’m sure you’re finding out for yourself but in my opinion, Glentorrin makes you feel like you’re just a normal human being all over again. People just leave you to get on with life. Take it from someone who knows.’

‘Yes, I’m certainly finding that too,’ Angelia said with a responding smile.

Ruby nodded. ‘You’ve made a great decision in coming home to Skye. Maybe you could actually move into the flat over the shop. Caitlin who owns the bakery lives with her husband and two kids over their shop and they’ve loads of space. Anyway, see you soon.’ She breezed out, leaving the fresh, flowery scent of her perfume in her wake.

‘I’ll get going too,’ Bella said. ‘If you’re happy to go ahead, I’ll contact some of my regular contractors right away and see how they are for time.’

‘I’m in!’ Angelia replied. ‘One hundred per cent!’

Bella smiled widely. ‘Thanks for trusting me with this, Angelia.’

‘Hey, thank you for the incredible ideas,’ Angelia replied. ‘It’s going to be spectacular.’

As she watched Bella walking away in the direction of the police station, Angelia glanced across the village and spotted Ferris putting up posters. ‘Meghan, I’m just going to nip over to the church. I won’t be long. I just have to thank Ferris for his help when I had the panic attack.’

Meghan stood and gave a salute. ‘Okay, boss, I’m right with you.’

Angelia held up a hand. ‘Actually, I was going to go alone? You could stay here with Scrappy. I thought I’d take him a cake from the bakery as a thank you. I won’t be long.’

Meghan gave her a knowing look. ‘Oooh, okay. Cake for the hunky vicar, eh?’

Angelia laughed. ‘He’s just a friend, Meg.’

‘Whatever, Trevor,’ was Meghan’s sing-song reply.

She stepped outside and turned left to walk along to the bakery. A delicious aroma of sweet pastries drifted through the air and into her nostrils, making her mouth water. Weirdly it smelled like freedom. Something she hadn’t really experienced in years until she had arrived in Glentorrin.

The bell above the door jingled as she walked in and Caitlin, the pretty, red-haired bakery owner, looked up from a loaf she was packing in brown greaseproof paper. She smiled. ‘Good afternoon, Angelia, what can I get you today?’

Angelia closely examined the cakes on display and her stomach growled in appreciation. All manner of muffins, pastries, doughnuts, gateaux and biscuits sat just waiting to be devoured. ‘Hmm…’ She tapped her chin. ‘They’re all so good and I’m enjoying making my way through them all.’ She laughed.

Caitlin smiled as she placed a wrapped loaf in a paper shopping bag. ‘I’m glad to hear that. You’re quite the regular customer now. What’s taking your fancy today?’

‘Ah, well, today is different. I’m not just buying for Meghan and me. This is mainly a thank you. Maybe you can help? It’s for Ferris, have you any idea what he likes?’

‘Ah, now the good curate adores a choux bun filled with fresh cream,’ she said, pointing to the huge chocolate-topped pastries. They looked so light and fluffy and were one of the delights Angelia was yet to try herself.

‘Perfect. Could I take five, but could you put one of them in a separate box? I’ll treat myself, my folks and Meghan to one too.’