Chapter 8 #2
The following day, Angelia managed to get hold of both Ed and Fiona and arranged a video call with them at 4 p.m. GMT, meaning it was 11 a.m. in New York where Ed was, to update them on what had happened.
Ed sat there, shirtless, in bed, his hair all scruffy and flat at one side.
Angelia couldn’t help smiling and for a split second imagined what it would be like to wake up next to him.
She shook her head and made a joke about his appearance and him being dragged through a hedge backwards.
‘Yeah, sorry about the state of me. Late night with The Phil. Then an after party. Absolutely knackered,’ he explained through a yawn.
Angelia had gone on to explain the diagnosis she had been given the day before. Fiona was on her Easter break and had been full of positivity and optimism, as always, but Ed had seemed a little shellshocked.
‘And they’re sure there’s no cure?’ he asked, his brow furrowed as he stared into the camera.
Angelia nodded. ‘They’re sure. But they’re researching all the time, so you never know.’ She tried to sound upbeat.
He had huffed the air from his lungs through puffed cheeks and rubbed his hand over his face. ‘Jeez… I don’t know what to say, Angel. Are you okay? Shit, that’s such a stupid question.’ He shook his head. ‘I wish I could hug you.’
Angelia had kept it together up to that point but his words and the sentiment behind them made her eyes sting. ‘Me too.’
‘And are the meds working?’ Fiona asked.
‘Meghan only collected them today, so I’ve only taken one. But the doc said they should kick in pretty quickly.’
‘Well, I’m coming to see you as soon as I can,’ Fiona declared. ‘You need your besties at a time like this. But you’ll beat it, Angelia MacAuley. I have faith in you.’
‘I’ll come over as soon as I can too,’ Ed added. ‘Fee’s right. And I… I miss you… both of you.’ His eyes appeared glassy and it was a little out of character for him.
‘Is everything okay, Ed?’ Fiona asked, beating her to it.
He nodded as he rubbed his thumb across each eye in turn. ‘Yeah! Oh God, yeah, I’m fine. Just sore eyes. Like I said, knackered.’ He yawned again as if to exaggerate his earlier point.
In order to lighten the mood, Fiona told them all about the conversations she had overheard when she had accompanied some of her high-school students to play a concert at a local primary school.
The little kids were all seated on the floor in rows and waiting for the concert to begin and it was clear they were excited about the upcoming visit from the Easter bunny, and some of them had been talking about the fact.
‘I heard one of the wee ones say to his friend, “If the Easter bunny lays eggs doesn’t that make him a chicken?” and the friend replied with, “Nah, don’t be daft, Connor, he doesn’t lay the eggs.
My dad says he buys them from the Cash and Carry near Ikea.
That’s where the farmers drop them off.” Then, after pondering this for a minute, the first boy said, “I wonder why they only come out made of chocolate when it’s Easter.
The ones I have for my breakfast are never made of chocolate.
” And the other boy gave a deep sigh of exasperation and shook his head before telling him, “Connor, you’re a wee dafty, they feed the chickens on special stuff in the lead up to Easter to make them chocolate.
Don’t your mummy and daddy tell you anything?
” It was hilarious… and a little worrying.
’ The three friends laughed at her stories and the call ended on a decidedly lighter note than it had begun on.
* * *
On Good Friday, later that week, Angelia and Scrappy headed north with Meghan in the little yellow Mini. Angelia had tried to insist that she would make the journey alone, but Meghan wouldn’t hear of it.
‘Look, Angelia, I think of you as a friend, not just my boss. I would like to come with you, not only to keep you company but if I’m there and there are any issues with rogue fans, or anything else, your mum and dad have an extra person to help out.’
‘But what about Ezra? You and he were just getting to know each other.’
Meghan smiled. ‘You’ve heard of WhatsApp and video calling, haven’t you?
’ she said with a nudge to her shoulder.
‘And anyway, I don’t want to be one of those women who sits around pining.
It’s just not me. Ezra is away filming in New York, and he calls me when he gets the time but I’m not hanging on the back of the door like some lovesick— whatever lovesick thing hangs on the back of doors,’ Meghan said with a giggle.
So, Angelia had accepted the offer of a lift rather than flying and having to hire a car.
Meghan had collected her prescription for the next few weeks, and made a Spotify playlist for them to listen to as they travelled.
They made a few toilet stops for the wee dog and eventually arrived at Gretna Hall Hotel – just along the road from the famous Gretna Green Blacksmith’s Shop wedding venue – where they would spend the night.
Meghan had ensured everything was booked ahead of time, so Angelia didn’t need to worry, and she had even got special dispensation for Scrappy to stay with them in their twin room.
That night, however, Angelia couldn’t seem to switch her mind off and she tossed and turned in bed until she eventually gave up.
She put on the complimentary fluffy white robe and sat by the window looking out at the stars overhead, with Scrappy snuggled in her lap.
She replayed what she had overheard between Heath and Josh in her mind and then thought about Ed and his reaction to her news.
She was evidently in her self-torture era.
The following morning, Meghan ordered room service for them, but Angelia didn’t have much of an appetite.
‘Why don’t you go get some fresh air while I call and let Den know how the journey’s going?’ Meghan suggested after she had showered and tied her hair up in a ponytail. ‘I know you didn’t sleep that well so some fresh air might help.’
It sounded like a good plan, so Angelia donned her signature baseball cap and tucked her hair up into it, clipped Scrappy’s lead to his collar and set off.
The sky overhead was powder-blue and scattered with cotton-wool-ball clouds.
It wasn’t exactly warm, but it was dry. They walked along the road to the Blacksmith’s Shop, the world-famous wedding venue, where a happy couple and their friends were getting ready for the first wedding of the day.
The bride wore a stunning long-sleeved ivory lace dress, and the groom a green and blue tartan suit.
Angelia stood just out of sight and watched as they snapped group photos with beaming smiles on their faces.
She couldn’t help the twinge of envy she felt at their happiness.
She had always expected to be in a long-term relationship by the time she reached her current age, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
She turned around and walked back to the hotel where Meghan had packed their things and loaded the car.
As they drove the six remaining hours of their journey to Portree on Skye, Angelia gave up fighting sleep and dozed, waking up for brief intervals as they passed through Glencoe with its dramatic mountain backdrop and then as they passed Eilean Donan Castle where it sat proudly on its spit of land that stretched out into Loch Duich, against a cornflower-blue sky.
It was good to be back in her home country, surrounded by space and every possible shade of green. She felt her shoulders relax as the familiar scenery passed by the windows in a blur as she drifted off to sleep once more.
* * *
By dinnertime that Saturday evening, Angelia was standing in the kitchen of her family home, sandwiched between her mum and dad as her mum sobbed. Scrappy jumped up at Angelia’s legs, evidently wanting to be included in the group hug too.
‘I’m fine, Mum, honestly.’
Her mum pulled away and held her at arm’s length. ‘I know, sweetie, I’m sorry, I’m just so happy to see you.’ She turned to face the woman standing by the microwave, smiling. ‘Thank you for bringing her home, Meghan. And for staying with her.’ She walked over and hugged her.
Meghan returned the hug, patting her on the back. ‘It’s okay, Mrs M. I’m happy to help.’
‘We’re so grateful to have our girl home for a wee while,’ Angelia’s dad said as he shook Meghan’s hand rather officially, making Angelia smirk. He turned back to face Angelia. ‘Sit down, I’ll make a pot of tea. You too, Meghan.’ Angelia sat at the kitchen table and Meghan followed suit.
‘So, this medication that Dr Novak has prescribed,’ her mum said. ‘What does it do?’
‘It’s something that reduces this particular chemical in my blood which means the signals can get through so my muscles don’t fatigue as quickly.’
‘Gosh, that sounds very involved. And how are you feeling?’
Angelia shrugged. ‘I’m fine so far but I’ve only just started taking it. It seems to be helping which is the main thing.’
Her mum smiled but it was tinged with concern. ‘Well, that’s good. And how were the band about it all when you told them? I hope they handled it okay. I know Josh must have been worried. I think he looks on you as a younger sister,’ she said with a fond smile.
If only you knew the truth, Mum, Angelia thought and she sighed as she remembered Josh’s face as he’d left her apartment with the others.
His eyes had been filled with something she had never really seen before.
Possibly regret. Definitely pain. Although they had all left together, he had been the last to walk out and he had hugged her so tightly that it felt like goodbye and she had cried herself to sleep that night.
She shook her head lightly to dislodge the memory.
She cleared her throat. ‘They were worried about me but so supportive. I was very concerned about telling them about my diagnosis after what happened with Lorelie, but they were great. Told me to take whatever time I need.’
‘Did the doc say anything about you going back on tour?’ her dad asked.
‘He said that touring would be counterproductive right now. Which means the European tour in six months’ time is on thin ice. Den has been great though. It can’t be easy doing his job.’
Her dad huffed. ‘I’ll bet he’s paid well enough so don’t be worrying about him.
And he should be great about your situation.
It’s not like you’ve asked for any of this,’ he said as he placed a tray on the table complete with teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl.
He usually just made tea straight in the mugs, forgoing the teapot, so he was clearly on his best behaviour seeing as they had a guest. Angelia was relieved that he hadn’t fished out Nanna’s china teacups from the back of the cupboard too.
He chewed his lip for a moment. ‘What about the new album? Aren’t you supposed to be in the studio in a few weeks? ’
Angelia nodded. ‘We are but Den’s put a hold on it. He’s given everyone an extra month off.’
‘Well, that’s nice. I’m sure Heath and the others are grateful for more time with their families. Heath’s wee boy is such a sweetheart from the photos you sent,’ her mum said as she reached for the teapot.
Angelia smiled. ‘Oh, aye, Rosco’s a real character. Just like his dad.’
‘What will happen long term though?’ her dad asked as he took a seat opposite her at the table. ‘You can’t put things on hold indefinitely, surely? And you signed contracts.’
Angelia shrugged. ‘Honestly, I don’t know.
I have a lot of thinking to do, I suppose.
Although I assume there’s a clause in the contract somewhere for when things like this happen.
’ She fell silent for a moment and tried to imagine life without Angel and the Fallen.
‘Music is all I’ve ever known and this band has been my life for ten years.
I’ve loved every second of it but…’ She sighed and her chin trembled; she had no clue what could or should follow those words.
As if sensing her sadness, her mum said, ‘Look, let’s change the subject, eh? You don’t have to make any decisions this evening. Now, Dad tells me the property you’ve bought in Glentorrin has lots of potential. Have you any idea what you might want to do with it?’
Her mum poured the tea and Angelia picked up her mug; a Snoopy one she’d had for years and had managed to keep it completely intact, much to her surprise and joy. She shrugged. ‘I’m not really sure, to be honest. I’ll have a look around and see what ideas spring to mind, I suppose.’
‘Why don’t we go tomorrow and have a look?’ her dad asked brightly.
‘Don’t you have work to do? You usually end up working on something even on Sundays,’ Angelia said with a teasing smile.
He sipped his tea and shook his head. ‘Nope. I’m off for the week.
Decided I was going to spend some quality time with my girls.
’ He glanced up and met Meghan’s gaze. ‘Oh… and… and you too, Meghan.’ Then he turned his attention to Scrappy who had jumped up and placed his paws on his leg as if he too wanted to be a part of it all.
‘And of course you as well, wee Scrappy.’ There was a silent pause before Angelia, her mum and Meghan burst into laughter.
He frowned and smiled simultaneously. ‘What? I just wanted to include everyone.’