Page 22 of The Castle in the Bay

‘Definitely not.’

‘Sensible.’ She gave him a little nudge, then threw her head back. ‘Someone cancelled a paddleboarding lesson last minute. It’s the third one this week. Means I’ll lose money again.’

‘Sorry to hear that. Is it a common thing?’

‘More common than I’d like.’ She ripped up some grass and tossed it in the air. ‘I get it, people have their reasons, they miss boats or whatever, but it’s frustrating. I rely on those bookings.’

‘Maybe you need a cancellation fee.’ Monty watched as Scamp snuffled around the beach.

‘Yeah, maybe.’ She ran a hand through her long ponytail. ‘Or more reliable clients, though boarders can be… Well… boarders.’

He chuckled. ‘What do you mean?’

A small smile played on her lips. ‘Ah, you know, people who go with the flow.’

He shook his head and laughed too.

She leaned back and turned her head to face him. When she caught his eye, his insides lurched. Such a beautiful smile. Her gaze dropped to the ground and Monty followed her sightline. His phone was still there, open on Sophie’s social media page.

‘Are they friends of yours?’ Iona was focused on the photo of Sophie and her girlfriends.

‘Um, no.’ He gently put his fingertip on Sophie. ‘That’s my ex.’

Iona lifted the phone and held it in front of her. ‘The ex who called you boring and you want to get back together with?’

‘The very same.’

‘Wow. She’s beautiful.’

Monty swallowed. Yes, she was. Always had been. Her slick black hair and bright red lips made her stand out from the crowd. And she wasn’t afraid to dress in revealing clothes and heels. Was he crazy thinking a woman like her would ever want him? Why had she ever done so in the first place? ‘Too beautiful for me.’

Iona handed him his phone back and gave him a stern look. ‘Why should she be? Being beautiful isn’t that important. I hope that’s not why you want to get back together with her. She’s a nice person, right?’

Monty frowned at her photo. ‘Yeah. She’s fun to be with.’ But was she? When it came down to it, had he enjoyed their time together? Wasn’t there always pressure to live up to? He let out a sigh. Maybe that was true, but was it his own fault? Had his failings caused the pressure? If he could just cast off the cloak of dullness.

‘Well, that’s something,’ Iona said. ‘Where’s Scamp?’ She squinted along the beach. ‘Ah, there he is. I better get him back.’

‘How’s your cut?’

‘Oh, that.’ Iona pulled up her t-shirt and Monty held his breath. He had a feeling she’d take the whole thing off and not care whether he was looking. She had that easy-in-her-own-skin way about her. ‘I think it’s fine.’

‘And what about the shoulder?’

‘What is it about you that makes me get injuries? Honestly, I’ve never had so many.’ She smirked, then pulled a face.

‘Talent.’

‘Possibly, but actually I was fibbing. I’m always getting bumps and bruises. Goes with the territory.’

‘And you’re trying to sell your adventures to people?’ He raised his eyebrows, and she chuckled.

‘Yeah. Probably better if I keep fibbing.’ She craned her neck, scanning around. ‘I should go. Otherwise Scamp will leave me behind.’

‘Ok.’

She caught his eye again, and he pushed his glasses further up his nose. He needed to get these adjusted; they were so annoyingly loose.

‘See you around.’ She got to her feet. ‘And if you fancy a paddleboarding lesson, let me know. I’ve got plenty of space now.’

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