‘We’re so proud of you, Margot. So proud.’
‘I know,’ I whispered back. ‘You’ll phone me after the operation?’ I asked.
He nodded. ‘And a million times before that.’
I watched them drive away, standing there until the car disappeared round the corner in the almost-light.
And then there was one.
And just after they’d gone, my phone buzzed. It was still soearly, and home was an hour behind, so I was shocked to see her name pop up on the screen.
PRIYA: Good luck today! If you surf like the old Margot swam, you’ll kill it … Oh and me and Cal are already planning our trip. Hope you have space on your floor xx
My heart swelled.
I could do this.
And then my phone buzzed again.
FELIX: See you at the beach. Good luck today. You will be brilliant x
Idefinitelycould do this.
The beach was unrecognizable when I got there. A covered judging platform had been set up on the sand. There was another tent beside it, maybe for other officials and sponsors. My stomach flipped and I looked towards the water. Coloured buoys floated in the waves, which were already looking big. To me anyway.
I hadn’t noticed that I’d stopped walking, like my body had frozen in anticipation of what was to come.
But then I heard my name. ‘Margot!’
I looked down the beach, scanning the crowds that were already gathering, and I saw Sébastian waving at me. ‘Margot, over here!’
My heartbeat calmed and I walked towards him. As I did, I saw Lili too. The two of them had set up camp already, a cool box between them and little chairs with binoculars hooked over the edge.
‘Are you ready, Margot?’ Lili asked, getting off her chair to kiss me on both cheeks.
‘Nope.’ I shook my head.
‘But of course you are!’ Lili said and grinned. ‘Do not tell her I told you, but Delphine is very jealous of your skill.’ She put a finger to her lips, and gazed towards the water, where Delphine was standing, just staring out at the ocean.
‘Well, she has nothing to be jealous about.’ I laughed at how much had changed in the last few weeks. How jealousI’dbeen of Delphine when I thought she was with Felix.
I walked towards the water and stood beside Delphine. ‘Do you get nervous?’ I asked.
‘Not any more. What will be will be,’ she said. ‘Just remember to watch the waves. Pick the best one. I cannot help you when we’re out there.’
I nodded, understanding. I looked towards the ocean, to the waters that felt like a second home and pushed everything out of my head.
I took a moment to breathe in the salted air and to just enjoy where I was. Right at this moment. Where the sun was about to rise over a glittering ocean, where my new friends supported me from the sand. I was about to compete in asurfcompetition. I smiled to myself. It felt too good to be true.
Someone testing the PA system made me jump.
I walked back up towards Sébastian and Lili when someone else caught my eye.
Felix.
He’d come.
When he saw me, his face lit up. ‘There you are!’ he said.
