Page 65 of Happiness Under a Summer Skye

She gasped. There in her hand was a heart-shaped photograph.

Of herself.

26

‘Is everything okay?’ Ferris asked. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’

Angelia nodded absentmindedly, still trying to process what she was looking at. Ed’s words rang around her mind. She found a heart-shaped photo in my wallet and realised I was… I am in love with someone else. But this photo wasn’t Fiona. This made no sense. Why had he kept mentioning ‘best friends’ and why on earth did he tell her that Ferris was just what she needed?

‘What is that?’ Ferris asked, pointing to the photo. It was one that had been taken years ago on their camping trip to Loch Doon; one of the ones Ed must have taken when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. Her chestnut hair had blown partially across her face, and she was reaching up to tuck it behind her ear. In the distance the sun glinted on the water as she was stepping from one rock to another. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt, dark blue jeans and walking boots and had a checked shirt tied around her waist. She remembered it like it was yesterday.

‘That’s a lovely photo of you,’ Ferris said, glancing over her shoulder. ‘He clearly adores you,’ he added with a hint of sadness.

Ed honked the horn as he pulled up and she quickly shoved the photo back in the wallet and turned to Ferris. ‘Thanks for today. And tonight. And… for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.’ And with that she turned and jogged out to the car.

When she climbed in, she handed him the wallet. ‘This was handed in to the church. Ferris asked me to give it to you. You must have dropped it in the stramash at the café.’

He took the wallet. ‘Oh, heck. I hadn’t even missed it. That’s not good, is it?’ He laughed. ‘I’ll drop Ferris a message to thank him.’ There was no mention of the photo. The thought must not have even crossed his mind.

Angelia was silent for the first part of the journey home, not knowing what to say about her discovery, and not really believing what it could mean. Perhaps she had completely misinterpreted things?

‘Are you okay?’ he asked as they passed through the village of Dunan on the shores of Loch na Cairidh. The view across to the tiny island of Scalpay, whose inhabitants numbered four last she heard, were always picturesque but even more so tonight as it was currently illuminated by nothing but moonlight. It was quite beautiful.

‘Hmm? Sorry, yes, thanks, I’m… I’m fine. Just tired, I think,’ she lied.

‘Yeah, no wonder. Today has been quite a rollercoaster, eh?’

You can say that again. ‘It has.’

‘Your mum and dad land back at Heathrow tomorrow, don’t they?’

‘They do. It’ll be good to see them. I think they’re flying back up to Glasgow and staying there overnight.’

‘It’s a shame they won’t see the show. But I’ll make sure someone takes plenty of photos of the choir while we’re on stage. And maybe some video footage too.’

She smiled. ‘That’d be great, thank you.’

There was another brief silence until he said, ‘Then I suppose I should go and see my folks.’

Her heart sank. ‘Oh, you’re leaving?’

He shrugged. ‘Well, I should show my face. And you’ll be fine when your folks are home.’

She couldn’t answer him. Because she knew she wouldn’t be fine when he left.

They arrived back at the house and Scrappy was excited to see them both. Angelia clipped on his lead. ‘I’m just going to take Scrappy out for a wee walk. He’s probably busting.’

‘Here. Let me. You’re worn out and I don’t mind. You make a coffee while I’m out.’

She nodded and he left with the dog. She paced the kitchen as the kettle boiled. She needed to say something. She needed to at least check that her interpretation of the situation was right. Because if he left, she knew she would never have the courage to ask again and would forever wonder what could have been. She made a fresh pot of coffee and sat nursing a cup until Ed returned.

She heard the door open and close and Scrappy came running through from the hallway. She poured a mug of coffee for Ed and placed it on the table.

‘The sky’s magnificent tonight,’ Ed said. ‘Reminds me of the sky we had that night when we camped at Loch Doon.’

This was it. This was her chance.

‘Erm… speaking of Loch Doon, Ed… I think we need to talk,’ she said, her heart pounding and hands shaking.