Page 52 of The Castle in the Bay

‘The more you practise, the easier it gets. Now watch this.’ She paddled around, so she was facing the beach. ‘Wait for a wave.’ It caught her and, in a swift fluid movement, she was on her feet, gliding in.

Without waiting for her to come back, Monty copied what she’d done, waiting for a wave. When one caught the board, he felt a rush of exhilaration and he attempted to stand in the way Iona showed him, but he immediately lost his balance and toppled into the water. He leapt up, gulping for air and shaking his head.Bloody hell.This was why he had no desire to do stuff like this.

Iona paddled back to him. ‘Are you ok?’

‘I fell off. What did you expect?’

‘It’s fine. Try again. I’ll watch and see if I can help.’

They repeated the process and Monty fell off again. It didn’t feel quite so shocking this time, and he recovered himself.

‘It’s all good, except you’re leaning too far back. Try and keep your weight centred.’ Iona patted the middle of the board.

He tried again, managing to stay upright a little longer before plunging to his doom yet again.

Iona took hold of his arm as he straightened up. He wiped water from his face.

‘I’m starting to think you just wanted an excuse to watch me make a fool of myself.’

Iona grinned. ‘No, I’m just helping you to be more adventurous. I think we can safely say you’ve accomplished that. Aren’t you enjoying this even a tiny bit?’

‘A little bit, but I think I’ve had my fill of dunkings for the day.’

She edged closer through the water that was up to their waists, placed her hands on his hips, and pulled him towards her. ‘You’re doing great.’

He watched her closely, his body burning to get out of this wetsuit and be free. After a quick glance around, he cupped her cheek in his hand. ‘Have you any idea what you’re doing to me?’

‘I have an inkling.’ She smirked and pulled him even closer, rubbing against him, making him thank every sea god everywhere that his bottom half was underwater.

‘Then stop it. This isn’t what we’re supposed to be doing.’

She pulled away. ‘Are you calling time on the deal? We haven’t even started yet.’

‘No. Just not here, with so many people about.’

‘Fair enough. I should probably help some other people too. It wouldn’t do for you to monopolise me.’

‘I’ll leave you to it. I’ve had enough surfing for one day.’

She caught hold of him. ‘Stick around though. I’m doing some more kite-surfing later.’

‘Ok. But I want to get dry first.’

‘If you want. There’s a bunch of spare bodyboards kicking about somewhere if you want to have some fun with them.’

‘I think I’ll just watch.’

‘Ok.’

As he left the water, he turned back to see Iona chatting with two young guys. Why was he torturing himself with her? It would be so much better to leave her with guys like that. But there she was, dangling like the forbidden fruit. And one taste wouldn’t do any harm. Just something to tick off on the bucket list – the one he didn’t know he had prior to this trip.

He trudged back to the container and peeled off the wetsuit with a sigh of relief. The saltwater made him feel sticky and uncomfortable as he changed back into his shorts and t-shirt. Maybe he could nip back to the farmhouse for a quick shower. He checked the time. Still early and it wasn’t far.

He strolled up the dunes and along the ridge onto the track that led past the derelict croft and back to An Grianan. The wind flattened the grass and wildflowers as it whipped across the machair, and fluffy white clouds raced across the blue sky. Although it was a warm day, the strong gusts had a bite to them and Monty decided to grab a hoody while he was back.

When he got to the farm, Catriona was in the yard wrestling a bright pink hat onto her daughter’s head. Another woman stood beside them with folded arms, smiling.

‘Hi.’ Catriona glanced up at Monty. ‘I think I forgot to say, but I’m not doing meals tonight as we’re going to be at the festival. Is that ok? I should have mentioned it before.’

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