Page 47 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

Meghan stayed home to give the friends some time to catch up, and Ed drove them to Glentorrin in the campervan. As directed by Angelia he parked beside the hall.

‘This is a cute place,’ Ed said as he climbed out of the van and took in his surroundings. ‘It’s like a painting.’

‘Yes, it’s lovely and it has everything you need too. Pub, bakery, museum, shop. All the essentials,’ Angelia said as she too glanced around the place that was becoming very familiar.

Ed grinned. ‘I like your priorities. Pub at the top of the list.’

‘Come on, let’s go in and I’ll introduce you to Ferris.’ Angelia led the way, followed by Ed, as she pushed through the large oak door. She had been in church more times in the last few weeks than she probably had in a lifetime, she thought.

‘Ah, here she is, everyone, right on time!’ Ferris said, gesturing towards her. A group of people were gathered in the chancel area where the keyboard still stood.

Ed stopped briefly and when Angelia turned, she saw something undecipherable in his expression. He didn’t look exactly happy, that one thing was certain. He looked a little surprised and confused.

‘Are you okay?’ she whispered.

As if coming out of a trance, he shook his head and plastered on a smile. ‘Sorry, yeah, all good.’

When she reached Ferris, he gestured to the gathered group. ‘Everyone, this is Angelia MacAuley. Some of you have already met her and I know some may recognise her, it’s only to be expected, but let’s not get bogged down with her notoriety, shall we? And let’s not go bragging to all and sundry that she’s here in Glentorrin. She’s here for a break of sorts and doesn’t need to be hounded by fans. So, let’s respect Angelia and be grateful that she has been willing to step into the breach at such short notice. Angelia, this is Glentorrin Village Choir, it’s been going for around six months now and they’re supposed to be singing at the annual village show in a few weeks. Allow me to make some more detailed introductions.’ He pointed to a familiar blonde woman. ‘You already know Bella Donaldson, and I believe you’re a regular at Caitlin’s bakery these days.’ He grinned at her. ‘I think you met Jules who runs the Lifeboat House Museum, next to her is Reid, her husband who’s an incredible artist⁠—’

‘And who can’t really sing, so is here purely to make up numbers,’ Reid added and everyone laughed.

Ferris continued, ‘Then there’s Kenneth who owns the village shop, and his wife Morag⁠—’

‘Who organises Kenneth,’ Morag added.

More giggles and an eyeroll from Kenneth who said, ‘I wish I could say she’s joking but she’s not.’

Ferris chuckled and carried on, ‘The very trendy young woman at the front there with the fabulous purple hair is Isla Douglas, who, if you can believe it, is Bella’s granny.’

Isla patted her hair and feigned embarrassment. ‘Young woman indeed, Reverend Blaikie, you do flatten me.’

Bella leaned towards her and, with a smile, whispered, ‘Flatter, Granny, you do flatter me.’

Isla rolled her eyes and through clenched teeth hissed, ‘Aye, that’s what a said, hen.’

Trying not to laugh, Angelia realised that Ferris had continued introducing people to her, but she had missed a fair few names thanks to Granny Isla’s comedic moment.

She cringed. ‘I’m so sorry but it may take me a while to remember all of your names.’

A young man, whom she thought she recognised as one of the teenagers who she had seen walking their dogs in the village, said, ‘Don’t worry, Miss MacAuley, we’ll keep reminding you if you need us to. Oh, and thank you so much for helping us.’ He clamped his mouth shut and glanced around before adding, ‘And can I just say I love Angel and the Fallen, I have your posters on my wall at home, but I can assure you, you won’t get any trouble from me. And I won’t go telling people you’re here. We’re sort of used to famous people in Glentorrin. Oh, and I’m Evin MacKinnon, by the way.’

Jules put her arm around the young man who was around an inch taller than her and gave him a squeeze, a look of immense pride in her eyes. Angelia surmised she must be his mum.

‘Okay, Angelia, I’ll hand the floor to you to give a quick introduction for those members of the choir who maybe haven’t encountered you before,’ Ferris said, holding out his hand.

Angelia cleared her throat and felt her face heating. She could address a crowd of thousands in an arena but talking to a group of twelve or so people suddenly felt quite daunting. ‘Hi, everyone. As Ferris said I’m Angelia. I’m originally from just outside Portree in the north of the island where I grew up, living with my mum and dad. Music is my true passion, and I play a variety of instruments and read music too. I started to study music at the Conservatoire in Glasgow but that was cut short when I… well, when…’ She knotted her fingers in front of her.

‘You can say it, Angel,’ Ed interjected. ‘It was cut short when you landed your dream job as lead singer for the incredible rock band Angel and the Fallen.’

Angelia smiled nervously. ‘Yes, when that happened. And by the way, this is one of my best friends, Ed Halsall, he’s a fantastic musician too. He’s played for some of the biggest orchestras in the world. So he’s far better than me.’

Ed shook his head. ‘Not entirely true. And anyway, we’re not here to talk about me, go on.’

‘Erm… I came home to Skye because…’ Angelia glanced sideways at Ferris who gave an encouraging nod and smile. ‘The band decided to take a holiday, and I figured I’d make the most of it and come and visit my folks.’

‘Aye, dearie, you’ve to make the most of them,’ Isla said with a nod and a sympathetic look to her face. ‘Parents are verra important.’

Angelia smiled. ‘I agree. I’ve also just bought the shop along the road from the bakery.’