Page 121 of The Love Position

‘Sophia?’

She turned to see the lead chef. ‘Yes?’

‘Grab yourself food now before we call everyone. I’m expecting it to be a bit of a bun fight and I don’t want anyone accidentally knocking you over.’

‘Thank you.’

Getting to her feet, Sophia filled her plate, then carefully carried it to the furthest picnic bench and started eating as the ashram bell rang.

Five minutes later, she spotted Jessica and gave her a wave.

Coming to the table, Jessica sat down with a thump. ‘Give me five minutes, then I’m all yours.’

She shovelled food into her mouth, hardly chewing before taking another forkful. Her face was pale, sweaty and streaked with dirt. She looked as shattered as Sophia felt.

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t get any food from the mainland. We were delayed at the hospital, then everywhere was shut.’

Jessica waved her hand as if it didn’t matter, then pointed at Sophia’s leg with her fork and gave her a questioning look.

‘It’s much better. I’ll probably be on one crutch for the next week, then I should be able to bear weight.’

Jessica gave her a thumbs up.

‘I’ve been helping in the kitchen and they’ve made two huge trays of chocolate brownies. There should be enough for everyone.’

Her friend clapped her cutlery together, then swallowed. ‘Hoo-ee! Now that is something I can get behind in this hellhole.’ She swallowed a few more mouthfuls, then pushed her plate to one side. ‘I’ll get some more in a minute. I need a break so I don’t just upchuck.’

‘How was last night?’

Jessica shrugged. ‘I was fine with it, but everyone in the dorm freaked the fuck out, especially when half the roof blew off.’

‘Oh, my god!’

Jessica puffed out her cheeks. ‘We still had power ’cos of the generators, so I just did my usual thang, stepping up and sorting out everyone’s shit. We moved the beds and stuff out of the way of the rain, then went downstairs and joined the people camping out in the asana halls.’

‘The ones usually in tents?’

‘Yeah. I don’t think anyone got much sleep. Then, as soon as it was light, we all went off to Satsang to hear Swami Fuckwad announce that everything’s cancelled and we’ve been conscripted into the Devanandara Peace Corps.’

‘Have any other buildings been damaged?’

‘Not much, I don’t think. The asana hall roofs will need a bit of attention, but our dorm got hit the worst because it’s the highest building.’

‘Where will you sleep?’

‘They’re gonna cram us into other rooms.’

‘Why don’t you stay with me? There’s space for another bed.’

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Sophia knew it meant there was no way she could be alone with Isaac.

Jessica’s confident expression flickered. ‘Thanks. That would be freaking awesome.’

Sophia rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe away some of the tiredness. ‘This wasn’t what I imagined this experience to be like.’

‘You’re telling me. A couple of the girls have been to other ashrams and said the Devanandara ones are the most hardcore. This course may be the quickest way to get from zero to yoga teacher, but it’s the most brutal. Although half the class seems to think the weight loss makes up for everything else.’

‘I hate being this hungry.’

---