Page 14 of The Love Position

Isaac’s voice was deep and soothing as he named different parts of the body to focus on.

Sophia lost herself in his words, her mind letting go of all the stress of Marcus, her job, her family. The doctor’s advice had been spot on. Yoga was the right thing for her to be doing.

‘Sophia?’

The voice was Estelle’s, but it sounded very far away.

‘Sophia?’

Her eyes snapped open.

Estelle was smiling down at her. ‘Wakey-wakey, Princess.’

‘What?’ Sophia scrambled to a seated position. The hall was empty apart from the two of them and Isaac, who was putting props into a cupboard.

‘Was I asleep? Oh no, please don’t tell me I snored?’

‘You were as quiet as a baby.’

‘I didn’t think babies were that quiet.’

Estelle grinned. ‘Most people nod off at the end, but you were out for the count. Let’s get you home.’

Sophia got to her feet, her limbs tired and uncooperative.

‘Thanks, Isaac,’ Estelle called over.

He turned and gave them a wave. ‘Thank you both for coming.’

Estelle hesitated, as if expecting him to come over, then turned for the door, Sophia following.

‘Holy shit!’ Estelle cried as soon as they got back in the car. ‘Celibate? Well, that helps explain why my seduction of him was such an abject failure. Anyway, how did you find it? Relaxing?’

‘Yes. I mean, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I can see the benefits, and it’s much better in person than watching a video.’

‘Well, he runs classes most days, so whenever you’re here, you can go.’

Sophia nodded. She knew Isaac would never be interested in her, but knowing he’d taken a vow of chastity made her feel safe around him, and right now, that was what she desperately needed.

3

‘Come in, come in!’ Eveline, Foxbrooke’s vicar, said as she opened the back door of the rectory. ‘You’ve arrived at the perfect time!’

The smell of baking and spices filled Isaac’s nostrils. ‘It smells like Christmas.’

‘It’s mainly ginger. Let’s go into the kitchen.’

He followed Eveline through the ground floor. ‘Where’s Jack?’

‘Shopping, AA meeting, then he’s going to pop into Foxbrooke Haven to see Robert and Shirley.’

Entering the kitchen, Eveline flicked on the kettle. ‘Take a seat and tell me how the yoga classes are going over there. I keep forgetting to ask.’

Isaac sat at a round wooden table. ‘Really great. I’m doing two a week now at Foxbrooke Haven and one is entirely chair-based for those with limited balance and mobility.’

‘And are the ladies behaving?’

He rubbed his stubble to hide his smile, then chuckled when Eveline gave him a look.

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