The waves rolled in, glassy, even and glistening in the California sunshine. They peeled in perfect lines from the tip of the San Clemente pier all the way to the golden sands of the shoreline, transforming from a pure aqua green to a foaming white froth. A surfer at the edge of line-up paddled hard and caught a clean break … he rode the wave in, but lost his balance halfway and was axed by the lip of the wave. Drilled under the water, the unfortunate surfer was barrel-rolled until he bobbed to the surface, spitting and gasping.

‘Aren’t they a little big?’ said Connor, eyeing the waves dubiously.

‘For you maybe,’ Charley shot back as she made the final checks to her adapted surfboard.

‘What if you get into trouble?’

‘That’s what you’re here for. You’re my bodyguard, aren’t you?’ She teased him with a wink.

Connor pulled on his rash shirt. He didn’t know what he was so nervous about. Although he’d never surfed before, it was Charley who was taking the biggest risk. After only two months of intense therapy, she’d decided to visit her home beach in San Clemente in an attempt to conquer her first wave. Thanks to the physio sessions and her growing proficiency with the neuro-chip, she was gaining more control over the lower half of her body. She couldn’t walk yet. She might never walk. But she was determined to surf.

‘Are you coming or not?’ asked Charley.

Connor’s phone buzzed with a text. ‘Hang on a sec.’ He picked up his mobile from his towel and read the message.

Shanghai surprise! Like my bike?

A photo downloaded of Zhen sitting astride a gleaming Chang Jiang 750cc motorbike with sidecar, her company logo Shanghai Surprise emblazoned on the side. She was grinning and giving the camera a big thumbs up. Evidently the US government agent hadn’t lied when he said that Zhen would be taken care of.

Smiling, Connor texted back an emoji of a thumbs up, along with a reply:

Must remember to post that review on TripAdvisor!

Ever since Amir had provided unrestricted access to Equilibrium’s servers, MI6 in combination with other intelligence agencies around the world had systematically infiltrated the clandestine criminal organization and arrested those involved. One of the first and most significant to fall was the Director herself, then the Chinese cell was swiftly rounded up and put behind bars. When Connor heard the news, a peace settled in his heart. His duty to his father was done.

It also meant that Zhen was once again safe in her own country – and she was clearly doing a roaring trade as a tour guide. In fact, the world as a whole was a safer place thanks to the sacrifices made by a few unknown and unnoticed individuals. While Buddyguard’s role in Equilibrium’s downfall would remain unacknowledged, Connor was under no illusion. Bodyguards would always be needed and would always make a difference. But, for the time being, the world could carry on without the need for his services.

He turned back to Charley. ‘Hey, look at this. It’s from Zhen!’

But her wheelchair was empty. Connor’s eyes followed the groove in the sand to where Charley had entered the water. She was supposed to have waited for him.

But Charley, independent and determined as ever, was already halfway out, paddling her adapted surfboard into the wash. She duck-dived, nosing the tip of her board beneath an approaching wave, and carried on paddling, the action as natural as breathing for her. Connor scrambled to get his gear together. He was attaching his leash to his ankle when he heard a scream. He looked up in panic, his eyes scanning the ocean for Charley, praying that she wasn’t already drowning.

But it had been a scream of delight as Charley caught her first wave. Lying down on her board, she leant into the ocean surge, staying just ahead of the peeling tube of water. Like a pro, she rode the wave all the way in to shore, skimming over the foam to Connor. The smile on her face was wider than the ocean and brighter than the sun in the sky.

‘I’m actually surfing!’ she yelled, splashing the water around her. ‘Surfing!’

Before Connor had a chance to respond, she’d pivoted her board and was paddling back out. Connor watched her go with a swell of pride. He knew how much this moment meant to her. Despite the constant barriers life had put in her way, she’d never given up hope. She’d battled every obstacle to achieve her dream. He truly admired her for that.

Charley had told him her life story, and there was a piece of advice she’d once been given that had helped carry her through her darkest times. It had stuck in Connor’s head too. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

Well, whatever cards he’d had in the past, Connor had certainly been dealt an ace with Charley. Spurred on by her daredevil antics, Connor picked up his own surfboard and dived headfirst into the waves after her.