Kite

‘It’s time to think of something else,’ I said, putting the finishing touches to the

wooden crossbeam, and measuring the bright red paper on top. ‘It’s time to do

new things.’

     ‘Easier said than done, sometimes.’

     ‘Oh, I know. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while.’ I showed Robert what

I had been doing, the crossbeam now with the red paper stretched over it, and

he helped me to fasten it down.

     ‘There. Almost ready to fly… how long has it been now?’

     ‘Three months.’ I paused with the kite under my arm before leaving the

room. ‘Three months since she left me. She had her… reasons.’ He followed me

outside. The house was a simple croft, once derelict, now half-restored. We

had come out there on a Saturday to do some work on it. It wasn’t fully

habitable yet. It was in a lonely place, lonely made bright by the blue sky and

the company, my cousin and old friend.

     The wind tore at my unfastened jacket, almost threatening to whip it away.

We stood on a rock a little way from the croft. I held it at arm’s length, stared

at it for a moment. It was like a face with no features. Its tail hung down like a

pigtail. I felt like blushing for a moment.

     ‘Are you ready to let go?’ Robert shouted over the wind, almost in my ear.

‘Are you ready?’