Poor ell, if it was all innocent enough you would think she would comment something like "wish I was with you guys".
I always felt like Ell doesn't really have any friends apart from Syd & Molly. She never mentions anyone else whereas Syd had her uni friend & her exes sister at least. I also think Syd would have been straight in on getting folk on her side. Ell was always her single friend (I've been that friend) so was there at a drop of a hat if Syd wanted to do something.
Ell will be enjoying the "novelty" of having a boyfriend for just now, it would be a shame for them to waste years of friendship.