Page 55 of The Castle in the Bay

She waded deeper, until the kite caught the wind, pulling taut against her harness. She let it lift; the canopy rose into the sky. With a deep breath, she swallowed the swooping sensation in her tummy as the wind tugged her forward.

Her body moved instinctively at the right moment, and she launched herself onto the board. No one could teach this. You either had it or you didn’t. The people who could do it were intuitive and had a bond with the elements, wind and water working together. The kite caught the wind, propelling her forward with a surge of speed. Iona’s heart raced, and she wanted to laugh. The water sprayed up around her, sparkling in the sunlight as she skimmed across the surface.

Carving through the waves, she leaned back, lifting the nose of the board and launching into the air. For a moment, she was weightless, suspended between sky and sea. The thrill of the jump coursed through her with a rush of pure adrenaline.

As she descended, the board kissed the water’s surface, and she adjusted her stance, preparing for the next manoeuvre. Thefeeling of freedom, and the way the kite responded to her, was awesome, like dancing with nature.

She executed a series of turns and jumps. Cheers and applause came from the shore, intermittently filtering into her hearing alongside the whoosh of the wind and constant thud of the waves. The crowd’s excitement fuelled her own, pushing her to go higher, faster. She looped the kite, feeling the pull increase as she soared above the waves once more.

The wind whipped through her hair, and she let out a whoop, the sound lost to the roar of the ocean.

As the demo drew to a close, she steered back towards the shore, riding the final wave with a flourish. She let the kite slowly descend, bringing herself to a gentle stop in the shallows. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

Iona unclipped her harness and grabbed her board, a wide grin plastered across her face. How could she help it? The feeling was incredible. She waved to the spectators, her heart still pounding. Walking up the beach, she was met with high-fives and congratulatory pats on the back. She soaked it all in, the sense of accomplishment mingling with the lingering thrill of the ride. Nothing in her career had ever rivalled this. This was her job and her life now. These were the accolades she lived for. Why not accept them and enjoy them? Others might not think this a worthy profession, but right now, it felt better than any other lifestyle she could imagine.

Catriona appeared at her side with Eilidh jumping up and down.

‘That was so cool,’ Eilidh shrieked. ‘You’re the best.’

‘Thank you.’ Iona high-fived her.

‘I don’t know how you do it.’ Catriona patted her on the arm. ‘I was petrified even watching.’

Iona smiled and shook her ponytail. At the back of the crowd, she noticed Monty, sipping a beer, watching her.

Catriona’s gaze drifted towards him too. ‘Is everything alright with you and him?’

‘What? Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?’

‘No reason. Just me being nosy.’

‘Nothing to see here.’ Iona turned back to her friend with a bright smile. ‘Anyway, I’d better put all this stuff away. I’ll catch up with you later. Save me some food.’

‘There’s plenty.’ Catriona gave her a quick hug. ‘And well done for your part in organising all this. It’s great.’

‘Yeah, it’s turned out pretty good.’ Iona waved and started making her way back to the container. As she made her way up the beach, the two irritating guys were hovering about. What the hell was their problem? Before she reached them, someone said her name.

‘Hey.’ Monty caught up with her. ‘Shall I give you a hand putting that stuff away?’

She smiled. ‘Thanks. I’ve got it but walk up to the container with me. That might help keep those two lechers away. I’m feeling so pumped I might do some damage to their pretty faces as well as their wedding tackle if they try anything.’

‘Ah, yes.’ He huffed out a laugh. ‘And here was me thinking it was that big butch guy who’s with you who was going to scare them off.’

‘Well, him too.’ She winked at him.

They walked towards the container, and Monty looked over at the two guys, who seemed to be deliberately focusing the other way.

‘Iona’s daughter is your number one fan,’ he said. ‘You should have heard her screaming when you were out there.’

‘She’s a sweetie.’

‘Kids are cute. Sophie didn’t want any, but sometimes when I see moments like that, I kind of do.’

Iona smirked. ‘Yeah. I wouldn’t mind a kid like her. I tell you something though, if I ever had kids, they will most certainly not be going to boarding school.’

‘No, I wouldn’t want that either. Not that we’re having them together or anything… I’m just commenting, yeah?’

Iona chuckled and shook her head. ‘Yeah. I worked that out.’

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