Page 78 of The Castle in the Bay

Monty watched as Ruaridh got back in the car and gave a final wave before driving off. He stood there for a moment, as the car disappeared down the road, before turning around and heading into the tiny terminal building.

Once inside, he pulled out his phone. Perhaps Iona would have left a message, but there was nothing. He sighed and turned his gaze to the little plane on the beach, waiting to carry him away. Soon he’d be on it, flying back to Glasgow Airport, his little holiday at an end.

His thoughts whirred back to his initial reasons for being here. How he’d cringed at the thought of landing on a small strip of sand and clung to his dad’s ashes. It seemed so long ago, but inreality, it wasn’t. Two short weeks. Initially he’d wanted to spend the time walking, gathering a feel for the place, and learning about why it had been so special to his dad. Some of that had happened, but he’d also taken a journey of self-discovery. Hopefully his dad was now happily at rest, and he’d be proud of Monty, not disappointed.

He adjusted the strap of his bag. Was it bad that he’d spent most of the time conducting a holiday fling? Something he’d never done before – and would very likely never do again.

After checking in at the tiny desk, he headed outside onto the beach. Time to go. He started towards the plane, each step heavier than the last. He was leaving, but a piece of himself would always be here.

Taking one last breath of Hebridean air, he climbed the steps onto the plane. The insides were small, and he found his seat quickly. Strapping himself in, he braced for the take-off. He’d got braver since his arrival but still wasn’t keen on the swoop in his gut when the plane left the ground.

The plane’s engines vibrated beneath him, and Monty held onto the armrests. As the engines roared louder, Monty’s grip tightened. The noise was deafening, then the plane jolted forward, gaining speed, and he felt the familiar lurch in his stomach as the wheels left the ground. He closed his eyes for a moment, then forced them open. He had to see the island one last time.

As they climbed higher, he glanced out the window. Barra spread out below and he saw its imprint, a patchwork of green fields, rocky outcrops, and the shimmering sea. The beach where he’d landed two weeks ago looked like a sliver of white against the blue water. His gaze moved inland, and he fancied he saw Iona’s car parked on a rise with a tiny figure standing beside it, looking up. He couldn’t be sure, but the thought made his heart ache.

The plane continued to ascend, the island growing smaller and smaller until it was just a dot in the vast expanse of ocean. Monty leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes again, the hum of the engines filling his ears. He was heading back to the mainland, but his heart was broken; smashed against the jaggy rocks like a shipwreck on the wild island below.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Iona

Iona shielded her eyes, gazing up as the plane crossed the brilliant blue sky. Her heavy heart was ready to crack open. The wind tugged at her hair, and she tossed back her ponytail. She was too late. Too late to say the words she wanted to say to Monty’s face.

His plane climbed higher, becoming a speck against the sky.

‘Bye-bye. I love you.’ A tear rolled down her cheek, and she pushed it away with the heel of her hand. Maybe it was better that she hadn’t caught him. What good would it have done? It wasn’t like he could stick around. This way, she could start the healing process without muddying the water any further.

She slumped into her car, staring forward, leaving the door open for air. Suddenly the heat was stifling. Waves crashed nearby and seabirds let out their sharp cries, some of them sounding almost as miserable as she felt. Monty was gone. She crossed her hands on the steering wheel and rested her forehead on them. Moping wasn’t her style, but the weight on her shoulders was so heavy she couldn’t shake it off or find the energy to move. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, or what the purpose of life was.

For a long time she sat, head down, the heat burning into her, until eventually she looked up and took a breath. Sitting here all day would be a stupid waste of time. She started the engine and drove on autopilot to Castlebay. Her mind kicked into action again as she spied Kisimul Castle. It may not be pronounced the way it looked on paper, but she’d never be able to think about it now as anywhere other than the place where she’d first kissed Monty. It really was the castle of kisses for her now.

She carried on towards the farm, completely at a loss as to what to do. Maybe she should take Scamp for a walk or go for a run. Her head told her that would help, but her body wasn’t playing along, and she couldn’t coax it into doing anything, because really, it would be so much easier just to go to her room and stare at the ceiling.

The stairs up to her room were like climbing a mountain. She slumped on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. What the hell was wrong with her? This was ridiculous. She’d never known herself to have so little energy.

A few minutes, maybe longer, had passed when there was a knock at the door. She sighed and called out, ‘Come in.’

Catriona peered in. ‘Hey. I just came to check you were ok.’

Iona gave a little shrug. Honestly, she wasn’t, but she didn’t want to let on how weak she was. Running away was always easier. When shit had hit the fan before with her old job and her ex, she’d come here. Now Monty had gone, and she was far safer staying upstairs, living in denial, than trying to change things. ‘I’m fine.’

Catriona raised an eyebrow and shook her head. ‘No, you’re not.’ She walked over and sat beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. Iona leaned into it, letting out a shaky breath.

‘It’s just…’ Iona began, but the words stuck in her throat.

‘It’s ok.’ Catriona gave her shoulder a squeeze. ‘You don’t have to say anything right now if you don’t want to.’

Iona nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. ‘This is so stupid. Why am I getting upset like this?’

‘Because you’re not fine. I understand. I was there… With Eilidh’s dad. It hurts. I get it. He was a dick, so I guess that helped me get over him, but it wasn’t easy. Especially when I found out I was pregnant.’

‘You were so brave.’

‘Not really. What else could I do? That was when he showed his true colours and decided he didn’t want anything to do with the baby. At least you know Monty wouldn’t do that.’

‘True.’ Iona nodded. ‘I’m just so confused.’

‘About your feelings?’

---