Page 52 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

‘Are you sure you’ll be okay, sweetie?’ her mum asked, her eyes glassy. ‘I feel so bad leaving you at a time like this. And we’re going to miss your birthday.’

She smiled in what she hoped would be a reassuring manner. ‘Honestly, Mum, you don’t need to worry. There’ll be other birthdays. And I’ll be fine. Ed’s here, and Meghan. And nothing bad has happened so far since I’ve been home.’ Apart from the group of fans recognising me, the Monty Python paps and a massive panic attack, oh, and my band and career collapsing around my ears, she thought but didn’t mention any of it.

‘Come on, love, we really need to go,’ her dad called from where he stood by the taxi. He had already said his goodbyes and had asked, once again, if Angelia was sure she didn’t want them to stay home, but of course she wouldn’t allow them to lose all that money they had invested in their trip of a lifetime.

Her mum pulled her into a strong embrace. ‘I love you and I’m so proud of you,’ she said with a wavering voice.

‘I love you too. But please try not to worry. Just go and have an amazing time. You’ve dreamed of this holiday for so long, please don’t let worrying about me spoil it.’

Her mum pulled back and cupped her face in her free hand. ‘I’ll try, darling.’ She gave one last smile and turned to dash towards the waiting cab. Then, as the car pulled away, her mum waved until she could no longer be seen.

Angelia closed the front door, and Ed pulled her into a hug. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked with a kiss to the top of her head.

Angelia nodded. ‘I’m fine, honestly. Absolutely fine.’ She needed to change the subject. ‘Bella’s meeting a team of contractors at the shop today, fingers crossed they can take the job soon. Although I’m not holding my breath. It’s a pretty long shot, I suppose, and I’m guessing I may be in for a fair wait.’

‘Let’s hope she can pull some strings then, eh?’ Ed said, releasing her from his arms. ‘It’s going to be so bloody cool when it’s done.’

Meghan cleared her throat. ‘Hey, sorry to interrupt you, guys, but I’ve… erm… I’ve had a call from my aunty. My mum was taken to A&E last night and now she’s in hospital having major surgery.’

Angelia gasped and covered her mouth with one hand. ‘Oh no, Meghan, what on earth happened?’

Meghan’s face was unusually pale, and she leaned on the wall to steady herself. Angelia had never seen her looking so vulnerable. ‘She, erm… she had a heart attack.’

Angelia strode towards her and hugged her. Meghan melted into Angelia’s arms and sobbed.

‘You need to go home, Meghan. You need to be there.’

Meghan nodded silently into her shoulder and clung to her for what felt like an age. Then, as suddenly as it had all happened, she straightened her spine and wiped roughly at her face with her sleeve. ‘I’ll call Den. They can send Austin… or Chad… or⁠—’

‘Look, I’ll call Den,’ Angelia insisted. ‘You just get your things packed and go. Please. Never mind any of the other stuff. Den will understand. Just go.’

Meghan, for once, didn’t argue. She simply nodded, turned and walked towards the spare room, lifting her phone and swiping at the screen as she went.

Ed rubbed his hands roughly over his face. ‘Shit, what a morning. Poor Meghan. Can I do anything?’

Angelia smiled. ‘There’s nothing to do. Let’s just let Meghan get sorted and we can deal with the rest later.’

Meghan packed and arranged a hotel room for that night in Carlisle, roughly the halfway point of her journey to Cardiff. As she was leaving, she hugged Angelia tightly. ‘Thank you, Angel. I appreciate you being so understanding. I’m sorry to dash off like this.’ Her voice wavered.

Angelia shook her head. ‘Hey, you don’t need to apologise. Our parents are so important.’ She remembered Isla’s words at choir practice. ‘You’ve got to make the most of them. Are you sure you’re okay to drive though?’

Meghan nodded. ‘Yeah, I’ll… I’ll be fine, lovely. I’ll be careful, don’t worry. I feel like I’m abandoning you.’ Her voice wavered again.

Ed slipped his arm around Angelia’s shoulder. ‘Honestly, it’s fine, Meghan. I’ll look after her. You concentrate on yourself and your mum.’

Meghan glanced up at Ed. ‘Thank you, Ed. You’re such a good friend.’ She turned her attention back to Angelia. ‘Looks like you’re in safe hands,’ she said with a look that Angelia recognised but chose to ignore. Ever the matchmaker, she thought.

Angelia hugged her once more, her heart squeezing in her chest. ‘Please keep me posted on how your mum’s doing. I’ll be thinking of you.’

Meghan nodded, her eyes filled with tears and worry, lifted her bag and walked to the yellow Mini.

Back inside, Ed walked through to the kitchen and returned with two mugs of coffee. ‘I figured you’d need this.’

She closed the door and took a mug, inhaling the earthy aroma and feeling a sense of calm wash over her. ‘Thanks. You know me so well.’

‘So, who do you think they’ll send to replace Meghan?’ Ed asked as he sipped his coffee.

Angelia tried to act nonchalant. ‘No one. Because I’m not calling Den.’