Page 10 of The Love Position

Estelle’s eyes lit up. ‘That I can.’

‘Huh?’

Leaning into the footwell, Estelle rummaged around, finally pulling a DVD from the floor.

‘Xena: Warrior Princess. I got it from the charity shop the other day.’

Sophia giggled. ‘Is she one of your heroines?’

‘Yep, along with Scary Spice, Wonder Woman and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke was unlike anyone Sophia had ever met. Confident and stunningly beautiful, her hobbies included mounted archery and driving James Hunter-Savage to the edge of reason. Sophia could see how her brother had fallen for her. Estelle was gloriously and effortlessly herself.

‘I wish I was more like you.’ Sophia’s thoughts were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

‘Really? You want to be the human equivalent of Marmite?’

‘You’re amazing. I wish I had some of your confidence.’

‘You should steal some from your brother. He’s got way too much of the stuff.’

Sophia suppressed a smile. She wasn’t sure if anything had happened yet between James and Estelle, but the two of them were made for each other.

‘Yoga will give you confidence,’ Estelle continued, pulling out of the drive. ‘Or at least help keep you calm under stress. Isaac’s big into pranayama.’

‘Prana…?’

‘The breathing bit.’

Sophia’s mind flashed her an image of Marcus panting in bed above her, his wine-soaked breath filling her lungs.

‘He’s not creepy or anything, is he?’

Estelle’s eyes snapped from the road to glance at her. ‘Isaac? Fuck, no. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s painfully professional, and as far as I know, no-one’s been able to get him into bed. And believe you me, I’ve tried.’

‘I just…. I don’t feel great around people I don’t know, especially men.’

Estelle leaned across the console and squeezed Sophia’s knee. ‘I promise it’ll be fine.’

Sophia had told Estelle about the break-up with Marcus, just not the gory details.

‘Is it really bad having to work with your ex?’

Sophia shrugged. ‘I try to keep things professional, but he’s either trying to get me back or flaunting his latest… But I’ve got the dig to plan, so I’m focusing on that.’

‘When do you start?’

‘We’re doing surveys this month, and fingers crossed we can break ground in April once it’s warmed up a bit.’

‘You excited?’

‘Yes. It’s something I’ve been working towards my entire career.’

‘Well, I hope you find her.’

Estelle pulled the Defender to a stop outside a prefabricated building with a corrugated metal roof. A sign reading ‘Foxbrooke Scout Hut’ was above the door.

‘It’s not exactly a temple at the foothills of the Himalayas,’ Estelle said. ‘But it’s the best option until the church hall gets a refurb.’

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