The owner of a Glasgow cafe says she is delighted after a “couple of absolute melts” returned a missing ice cream statue that had been taken from outside the premises.
The large ornament has been a permanent fixture at the Langside Cafe in the city’s southside for around 40 years and has also appeared in artwork featuring the shop.
It disappeared a couple of weeks ago, with only the model flake left behind.
Cafe owner Isabell Graham hoped it would eventually return.
She told Sky News: “We thought it might reappear, then it didn’t. And then I had a look at buying a new one and they’re like £500-600.
“I thought ‘oh, quite a lot of money’, so we put a little post on Instagram yesterday and so many people shared it.
“I came in this morning, and it was sitting with a lovely little note. We’re delighted because we’ve had it for such a long time.”
The apology letter featured a drawing of an ice cream alongside an explanation.
Pic: Langside Cafe
The apology letter. Pic: Langside Cafe
It read: “Dear Langside Cafe, found the ice cream on its side next to rubbish, missing its flake and assumed it had been thrown out.
“We are so sorry and hope it’s not caused too much distress. Please forgive us.
“Love, a couple of absolute melts.”
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Pic: Langside Cafe
Ms Graham accepts the apology and believes the incident was not malicious – although other cones have gone missing from outside the 104-year-old cafe.
Ms Graham, who has run the business for six years, said: “The one we’ve got just now is from the late ’80s, but there have been older ones that have gone missing over the years.
“It’s not a real old one, but it’s old enough.”
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The cone has appeared in artwork. Pic: Langside Cafe
The cone has since been reunited with its flake.
Ms Graham added: “It’s sitting back outside the cafe right now.
“It’s just a great wee story. It’s gone missing, it’s been returned.
“It’s very iconic as a lot of people have pictures with this cone, and kids love it.”