Page 66 of The Castle in the Bay

Was that Monty?

A deep warmth flooded her, almost like relief, though she knew he wasn’t here to rescue her from this mess. Just seeing him filled her with so many emotions.

As he got closer, he smiled. ‘This is where you’ve got to. I wondered where you were. I messaged you, but you didn’t reply.’

‘I haven’t looked. I’ve been so busy.’

He glanced around, scanning over the rows of bin bags and recycling boxes. ‘You really have.’ He pushed his glasses further up his nose.

‘What did you want me for?’

He smiled at her, and his eyes held hers for a moment. ‘Nothing in particular. I just like seeing you.’

‘I would give you a hug, but I’m a sweaty mess and I’ve been picking up shit all day, so I probably stink.’

He let out a laugh and ruffed up the hair at the front of his head. ‘I love it how you just say it like it is.’

Iona blinked, processing his words; they’d been dangerously close to “I love you,” and that was what her brain wanted to hear– which was insane, right? ‘Um… Have you been somewhere nice?’

‘Just cycling around, getting some photos. It’s so beautiful.’ His eyes had initially been on the sea, but on the word beautiful, they snapped back to her. The look suckered her and all the joy of being held in his arms rushed back. She’d like to be there right now.

‘Well, you should carry on doing that. Make the most of the weather. You know how quickly it changes here.’

‘I certainly do. But I’m staying here.’

‘Why?’

‘Because your company is one of the most special things on the island.’

A smile crept onto her lips. She couldn’t stop it. All her irritation with the mess dispersed, at least for the moment. ‘That’s sweet. You’re such a nice man. But I can’t hang about and chat.’

‘Obviously. That’s why I’m going to help you.’

‘Absolutely not. You aren’t responsible for this.’

‘Neither are you. If we do it together, it’ll get done twice as fast, and we can have fun while we work. And if that’s not enough, just think about what we can use the extra time for.’

‘Monty, you are some guy.’ She laughed. ‘Ok, I accept your offer. Thank you.’

‘Let’s do it then.’

She handed him the half full bag. ‘You take that one and I’ll get some more.’

He took it, then leaned over. She met him midway, and their lips brushed together briefly. Despite feeling like she’d waded through a midden all morning, the concentrated touch seemed to purify her thoughts. The mess wasn’t so bad anymore. They could do this.

It wouldn’t exactly be her first choice of date, but it gave them time to chat. By five o’clock, they were almost done, but Iona didn’t want to stop.

‘How about we get a carry out and keep going until it’s done?’ Monty suggested.

‘Good idea.’ She drove him into Castlebay, and they got some chips.

Monty smirked as they headed back to the car. ‘The last time I saw you with a bag of chips, I knocked you over and a seagull ate them.’

‘Don’t remind me. I still haven’t forgiven you.’

‘Oh, I think you have.’ He grinned at her.

‘Ok, maybe.’

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