Chapter 11 #2
Eventually one of the teachers shouted to get their attention.
‘Come on, everyone, let’s leave Miss MacAuley to go about her business, shall we?
We need to get to the campsite before it gets too dark.
’ The male teacher then turned to Angelia and shook her hand.
‘Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us all. I’m sure this wasn’t on your agenda for the day, but I can see that you’ve made these kids very happy indeed. ’
Angelia laughed nervously. ‘That’s okay. They’re a nice bunch.’
One by one the group shook her hand and reluctantly left her to go back to the minibus. Once they had all gone, she spotted Ruby leaning against the wall of the hall, smiling and shaking her head, so she went across to join her.
When she reached her friend, they hugged. ‘Hey, you. Do you ever stop working?’ Ruby asked with a laugh.
Angelia smiled. ‘Apparently not. They were a nice group of kids, though. But I may be all over Instagram by the end of the evening,’ she said with a wince. ‘Not really what I hoped would happen.’
Ruby pursed her lips and linked her arm through Angelia’s and they set off over to the pub. ‘Hmm, not conducive to a quiet visit home, eh?’
‘Not really but it’s an occupational hazard for both of us, I suppose.’
Ruby laughed. ‘You got that right.’
The pub was busy with locals, many of whom Ruby seemed to know, although no one made a fuss. Angelia went with Ruby to order their coffees from the bar.
‘Evening, Ruby,’ said the large bearded man behind the bar. He looked like he belonged in the cast of Vikings and had very smiley eyes. ‘How are you?’ His accent reminded her of Agda’s.
‘Evening, Joren. I’m good, thanks. Yourself, and Stella?’
He nodded. ‘Can’t complain. She’s in the back working her magic with haggis and neeps,’ he said with a deep chuckle that seemed to vibrate up from his feet.
‘Who is your friend?’ he asked, smiling at Angelia, and then leaned forward to whisper, ‘I already know who you are, of course, but I don’t want to be a fan girl,’ he said with a wink.
Angelia couldn’t help giggling. She liked him immediately and held out her hand. ‘Good to meet you, Joren, I’m Angelia.’
He shook her hand. ‘Angelia, what a beautiful name. Like the Richard Marx song,’ he said with a nod. ‘Unusual. And very cool. What can I get you ladies to drink?’
‘We’re just on coffee tonight, thanks.’
Joren gasped, feigning shock. ‘You must have serious stuff to discuss. Coming right up.’
‘Thanks, Joren. You’re a star,’ Ruby replied.
He laughed, clicked his fingers and pointed at her. ‘I could literally say the same!’
They took a seat at a table by the fireplace and Angelia looked around, taking in her surroundings.
She was surprised at how relaxed she felt in the place.
A couple of people glanced over, and she saw a spark of recognition, but they didn’t approach the table, and she was grateful for that.
The pub was quite traditional with tankards hanging above the bar and a shelf of old whisky bottles that ran around the main room.
The walls appeared freshly painted in a cosy shade of deep red and the furniture was all dark oak.
It was the epitome of the quintessential Scottish pub and Angelia liked the place immediately.
‘So have you had any ideas for the old antiques shop yet?’ Ruby asked when she walked back over and placed two mugs of fresh coffee on the table before them and took a seat across from Angelia.
‘Funnily enough, Meghan came up with an idea. I’m just not sure it’s viable.’
Ruby took a sip of her coffee and raised her eyebrows. ‘Ooh, tell me more.’
‘Well, you know how I’m pretty obsessed with vinyl?’
‘You? Obsessed? Surely not,’ she teased. ‘I mean, I barely remember that time we were in Glasgow during the Scotland Rocks shoot and you dragged me into every single record shop we came across… twice!’ She smiled.
Angelia laughed. ‘I can’t help myself. It’s an addiction. Anyway, Meghan suggested?—’
‘A record shop? It’s a no brainer, really,’ Ruby said with a chuckle.
‘Hmm. But is it a viable business for a place like this? Will people come to Glentorrin to buy records?’
Ruby placed her cup down and leaned her elbows on the table.
‘The thing is, people don’t necessarily come to Glentorrin to buy anything in particular.
But that said, if there’s a good record shop here, I don’t see why people wouldn’t buy from it.
The village gets so many visitors passing through each year that I think it would actually work.
And once people knew it was here, I reckon people would travel.
And it’s something you’re crazy passionate about. Although, who would run it for you?’
Angelia stared into her mug. ‘I’ll probably just hire someone and be a silent owner.’ She shrugged.
Ruby straightened up. ‘Wouldn’t you want to be a noisy owner?’ Ruby asked, grinning. ‘I know what you’re like with your records, Angel. I think you’d find it hard to not be directly involved. Although I suppose it would be hard with the band and travelling.’
Angelia shrugged. ‘I’m trying to be realistic about my future. I know there’s a good chance that touring isn’t going to be possible for me any more, and the band may want to replace me.’
‘I doubt that they would want to do that, honey. They adore you. They wouldn’t ditch you like that.’
Angelia lifted her chin. ‘No, they maybe wouldn’t make that decision themselves but… maybe I could make it for them.’
Ruby’s eyes widened. ‘But why?’
‘Because it’s not fair for me to keep them hanging on when they could go on without me, Ruby.’
‘I really think you should hold off from making rash decisions. You’re still getting used to your diagnosis. Please give it plenty of thought, won’t you?’
Angelia nodded and rapidly changed the subject.
* * *
Angelia arrived home around 11.30 p.m. to find her mum waiting for her at the kitchen table.
‘Aw, Mum, you didn’t have to wait up for me,’ she said as she leaned on the door jamb.
‘I know, love. I just wanted to make sure you got home okay. I worry about you getting accosted by fans or something but then I remember we’re on Skye,’ her mum said with a light laugh.
‘It’s lovely to have you home but I wish you’d take Meghan with you if you go out.
Otherwise, what’s the point of her being here? ’
‘To be honest, I wasn’t the one who wanted her to come with me. That was Den’s insistence. But I’m fine going out by myself here. It’s home.’
Her mum sighed. ‘You could still get kidnapped or something, though, love.’
Angelia laughed. ‘Not really likely but I promise to be careful. It’s nice to go out without worrying about the same stuff I have to worry about in London. More people means more chance of being recognised. I’m just making the most of it.’
Her mum stood from the table and walked over to kiss her forehead. ‘You’re stubborn just like your dad,’ she said with a small smile. ‘Did you go to the shop?’
Angelia thought back to the group of teenagers but chose not to mention them in light of her mum’s worries. ‘No, I was just at the pub with Ruby drinking coffee and catching up. It was lovely actually. The Coxswain is so cosy.’
‘That’s nice. I’m off to bed anyway. Love you.’
Her mum walked away and Angelia called after her. ‘You don’t need to worry, Mum, honestly. Love you too.’