Page 163 of The Love Position

She straightened, waving a hair clip. ‘Lost this last week!’ she said triumphantly.

Isaac forced a smile, but his heart rate was rising uncomfortably high.

Sophia continued on towards him and the words he’d rehearsed ran around his head until he was dizzy.

Now she was sweeping right next to him.

She stopped again and bent down.

Isaac swallowed, rubbing his palms dry on his trousers. This was it.

Straightening, Sophia gazed with a confused frown at the band of gold between her fingers, then pulled her headphones off and turned to him.

He dropped to one knee. ‘Will you marry me?’ he blurted, the beautiful speech he’d polished over months vanishing into thin air.

Sophia blinked, glancing between him, the ring, and the metal detector as if struggling to fit the three pieces of his proposal puzzle together.

Then her shock snapped into delight. ‘Oh, my god! Oh my god, Isaac!’

‘Is that a “yes”?’

She tugged him up to stand. ‘Of course it is! Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!’

Sophia stared at the ring as if seeing it for the first time.

‘I commissioned a torc design to remind you of the one you found. And I added the diamonds because if they’d been around in Boudica’s time, I’m sure she would have worn them.’

Her eyes filled with tears. ‘It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’ She brought her gaze to his. ‘It’s perfect.’

‘Just like you. You’re my perfect person and I would be honoured to be your husband.’

Sophia threw her arms around his neck. ‘I love you, I love you, I love you!’ she cried, peppering his face with kisses.

Isaac smiled with joy. ‘I love you too, my sweet Sophia.’

She drew back. ‘I need to see if it fits.’

‘The jeweller took a guess…’

Pushing it onto her finger, she held up her hand, the ring glinting in the evening sun.

‘Perfect! Oh, I can’t wait to show this off!’

‘Just to forewarn you, I did tell your parents I was going to ask you to marry me.’

‘Did Mum cry?’

Isaac nodded. ‘And your dad slapped me so hard on the back I nearly popped a rib.’

Sophia snorted. ‘James and Estelle will probably hug you to death when they find out.’

‘Yep, and that’s why you’re going to be there to protect me. I’ve invited them and your folks for lunch tomorrow if that’s alright with you?’

‘Of course it is. Why don’t we invite Eveline, Jack and baby Robert as well?’

‘That’s a wonderful idea.’

‘Fabulous!’ Sophia paused. ‘I know we’re not traditionally religious, but how would you feel about asking her to marry us in Saint Saviour’s?’

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