Page 86 of The Love Position

Still exhausted from the day before, Sophia could have done with going back to bed, but there was no way she was going to tell Isaac that. A whole day stretched in front of her, with nothing to do except spend time with him. Her answer was a no-brainer.

‘I’d love to just hang out. Is there somewhere quiet where we could sit before breakfast?’

His concern melted into a smile that made her heart jump.

‘I know the perfect place.’

Isaac led Sophia out of the temple and around the side, unlocking the gate to the private area.

‘There’s a meditation garden that Swami Saraswati designed behind the main building. I think she’s in a meeting with Guruji at the moment, so we can see if it’s free.’

Even though she now had access to this part of the island, Sophia hadn’t explored. She followed Isaac carefully along perfectly level paths, flowers filling the beds on either side, and the morning light dappling through the palms above.

Ahead was a wooden gate between two hedges. Isaac peeked over the top of it, then opened it wide and extended his arm for Sophia to pass through.

Walls of bushes and bamboo made the space utterly private, a green border between the earth and the sky. In the centre was a little pond with a water feature at one end, made up of a tower of flat, round stones. Water bubbled over them from the top to the pool below, the sound filling the air. It was quiet here compared to the rest of the island, the main building and thick hedges insulating them from the noises of people and the sea.

‘It’s nearly as beautiful as your garden in Foxbrooke,’ she said quietly, as if they were in a library or the temple.

‘That’s quite the compliment.’

A flat paved area lay in front of the pond, presumably for the Swami to meditate, with a wooden bench along the far edge. Meandering paths, greenery, and pebbles filled the rest of the garden.

‘It’s very Zen.’

Isaac nodded. ‘Swami Saraswati’s father was a French diplomat, and she grew up in Japan. Let’s get you settled on the bench. Luckily, it’s got sides, so your back will be supported.’

Sophia hopped over and Isaac took her crutches as she sat, before lowering himself to the floor beside the bench.

‘There’s room for both of us.’

He shook his head. ‘You’ve got to elevate your leg. I’m fine here.’

Guilt prodded her chest. First, he loses his room, and now he doesn’t get a seat.

Isaac’s smile was warm and understanding. ‘I’m perfectly comfortable, and if that changes, we can move elsewhere.’

‘Would you actually tell me if you were uncomfortable?’

There was a tiny hesitation before he said, ‘Absolutely.’

‘Isaac!’

He grinned. ‘I promise I will. Scout’s honour.’

Heart lightening, Sophia lifted her leg to the bench, immediately feeling the relief.

‘See? Listen to Doctor Isaac.’

She stuck out her tongue and his grin got wider.

Despite the aching pain in her head and knee, as well as all the other parts of her body that were battered and bruised, Sophia was buoyant and happy. There was nobody else around, and she felt completely at ease with Isaac.

Well, almost… Accompanying the relaxed feelings were ones that made her heart skip and her skin tingle.

Isaac Hayward likes me!

Whenever the thought sparked in her head, every part of her lit up. Each moment she spent with him felt charged with meaning and potential. Every second precious, like a grain of gold passing through an hourglass.

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