Chapter 19 #2
She played a C major pentatonic scale from C to A and back again.
The acoustics in the church gave the resonance of the notes a richness she immediately loved.
She played it again, only this time she sang along with each note as she hit the corresponding key.
She was happy to find the scale easy to sing and it spurred her on.
Thinking about Ferris and his dog Judy, she began to play the opening bars of ‘Over the Rainbow’ and smiled as the sound echoed all around her.
She closed her eyes as she continued to play, letting her relaxed fingers dance gently across the Ivorite keys.
The mineral-reinforced plastic had been created by the music company to mimic the feel of ivory when the harvesting of the original material had been, rightfully, banned.
Seeing as she was alone, she took a deep breath and began to sing, the beautiful, yet somewhat melancholy lyrics, of the song falling from her lips as she remembered them with ease.
Her voice wasn’t as strong as it once had been and as she sang, her eyes welled with tears when the words took on a new meaning for her.
They spoke of dreams coming true which resonated within her.
Her dreams had come true but now things had changed, and those dreams that had once been a reality were now somewhat out of reach.
No amount of wishing on stars would change that.
Once the song ended, Angelia rested her hands in her lap and wiped away a few escaped tears.
A spontaneous and unexpected round of applause from an unseen observer made her jump and she leapt to her feet and swung around to find Ferris standing halfway down the nave.
As he clapped, he walked slowly towards her, a sweet smile turning his mouth up at the corners but his eyes glinting with unshed tears.
He took a seat on the pew closest to her and shook his head. ‘That brought back so many wonderful memories. Thank you,’ he said with a wavering voice.
‘Sorry, I-I didn’t think anyone was here,’ she replied.
‘No apologies necessary. It was absolutely beautiful. Made me think of my lovely mum.’
She smiled as she wiped more of her own tears away. ‘Thank you. It felt good. Really good.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘I thought you said you’d lost your voice.’
She shrugged. ‘I have really.’
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ‘That’s not how it sounded to me. It actually sounded like you’d found it again.’
She recalled the recent occasion where she had tried to sing with her dad and it had made her sad that she couldn’t carry on as long as she had wanted. ‘If I keep singing it’ll probably disappear and I’ll sound like I’m being strangled all over again.’
‘Or maybe you’re giving yourself the chance to relax and think about something other than how you feel you’re letting everyone down.
The plans for the record shop seem to excite you and that’s such a good thing.
You light up when you sing, Angelia, but it doesn’t have to mean you only get that feeling when you’re playing stadiums. Have you ever thought about writing songs for other artists?
So many singers do it. Or maybe just singing for fun for a change?
Not that stadiums aren’t fun, I’m sure they are, but…
maybe this myasthenia diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of your singing career.
Maybe it’s just a side road that gets you to the same destination only via the scenic route.
’ He laughed out loud. ‘Good grief, listen to me trying to sound like I know what I’m talking about. I’m pretty rubbish at metaphors.’
She thought about what he had said and a smile spread across her face.
‘You’re better than you think you are. What you’ve just said actually makes perfect sense.
I haven’t written for other artists, but I could definitely do it.
I have folders full of songs I’ve written and never recorded.
It would mean I still get to keep doing what I love, just indirectly.
Like the scenic route you mentioned. Also, Ruby suggested movie score writing which is something I’d like to try too. ’
His face brightened and a handsome smile lit up his features. ‘Really? Well… that’s brilliant.’
‘I really need to stop looking at this as an end-of-the-road situation, and instead look at it as a diversion,’ she said, knowing he had hit the nail square on its head. ‘There are many routes to get to most places, and you don’t always have to follow the map exactly as it’s drawn, do you?’
He beamed. ‘Definitely not. You have the most incredible talent, Angelia, and the world needs that.’
She shook her head as her eyes welled with happy tears this time. ‘Thank you. I mean it, I’ve said it to you a lot since I met you, but I’ll say it again, thank you.’
‘And I’ll say again that no thanks are needed. I’m always happy to help.’
‘So, what’s this summer concert I’m hearing about? I’ve seen the posters around the village. Although I have to say, I’m surprised there’s no Highlands Games.’
‘Oh, we have those too but they’re in August. This is the early summer music and dance extravaganza.
A new initiative sparked by Ruby and her dance students.
It’s a way to get the kids and adults of the village out and about doing something other than playing on their phones.
It’s not a competition or anything quite so serious but instead a way for people to come together and showcase their God-given gifts. ’
‘That sounds like something Ruby would set up,’ Angelia replied with a smile.
Ferris tapped his chin and opened his mouth to speak but as if he thought better of it, he closed it again and covered it with the same hand.
‘What?’ Angelia asked. ‘Just say it. You’re the king of epiphanies at this point.’ She laughed. ‘What could go wrong?’
He glanced around conspiratorially for some reason, and it made Angelia giggle. He paused again and she wanted to shake the words out of him. ‘Seriously, Ferris, what?’
‘Look, it’s none of my business and you can feel free to tell me to get lost but…
You need music in your life and… the village choir needs a leader.
’ He held out his arms. ‘Someone who understands the music and can advise them. Someone exactly like you. You saw what they were like on the night we met. They’re a great bunch but without direction they’re horrendous, in the best possible way.
’ He laughed. ‘I’ve been stepping in up to now but I’ve no idea what I’m doing.
I’m happy to play the keyboard but they really need someone who can arrange music and help them figure out harmonies.
I’m nowhere near good enough for that. But while you’re here it would be something to distract you from your worries and it wouldn’t put loads of strain on your voice.
Plus, you’d be doing them a huge favour.
And me. What do you think?’ He stepped back a little as if waiting for a firework to explode and covered his mouth again.
Angelia opened and closed her mouth as she fought to find an inoffensive way to say thanks, but no thanks but then she stopped.
What would be wrong with helping out? Meghan would probably enjoy it too.
What could possibly go wrong? It actually sounded like fun, and she certainly could use some of that in her life.
‘I’ll do it,’ she said.
‘I mean, you don’t have to… sorry?’ His eyes were wide with evident shock.
She lifted her arms and let them flop to her sides. ‘I said I’m in. I’ll do it.’
‘Oh, my word! That’s incredible! Thank you.’ He stood and walked over to hug her where she stood by the keyboard. Ugh, he smells divine, pardon the pun, she thought, and his cheek was smooth against hers.
He stepped back quickly. ‘I really need to stop doing that. My apologies. You’d think I’d had no training on appropriate behaviour towards parishioners.’ He rubbed both hands roughly over his face.
Angelia laughed. ‘They train you in that kind of stuff?’
‘In a way, yes. So, I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again.’
She smiled. ‘It’s really not a problem. And technically I’m not a parishioner.’
‘Fair point. Okay, so, are you free tomorrow evening? That’s when we’re getting together again.’
At that moment the church door creaked open and Meghan shouted, ‘Angelia, are you in here?’
Angelia rolled her eyes. ‘Yes! I’m fine, don’t worry. Just lost track of time, that’s all.’
Meghan walked towards them with Scrappy trotting beside her. ‘Thank God for that, I was beginning to think I was gonna get my arse handed to me for losing you. Shit, excuse me, father.’ She cringed and gave a little bow.
Angelia and Ferris exchanged an amused glance and he turned to Meghan. ‘You’re forgiven, my child.’ He made the sign of the cross and sucked his cheeks in, trying not to laugh.
Angelia gasped. ‘Ooh, I almost forgot, I brought you a choux bun. Caitlin at the bakery said it was your favourite.’ She leaned down and picked up the smaller box and held it out to him.
He took it and his face tinged a little pink. ‘That’s really kind but you didn’t have to…’
‘I owe you thanks for so many things since I arrived that a cake feels a little bit insignificant.’
He shook his head. ‘Absolutely not. You’ve tasted Caitlin’s baking so you know there’s nothing insignificant about it. Excuse the terrible pun but it’s almost a religious experience.’
Before she could comment, Meghan interjected. ‘Erm, I don’t mean to break up the party, guys, but we probably should get back up to Portree. I’ve got a video call arranged with Ezra, and I can’t do that while I’m driving.’
Ugh, young love. Angelia sighed. ‘Okay. But we’re coming back tomorrow evening,’ she informed her assistant with a wide smile.
Meghan shrugged. ‘Fine with me. But why are you grinning like that?’
With a smile directed at Ferris, Angelia said, ‘Because, Meghan, you and I have just joined a choir.’