Page 116 of The Love Position

Ganapati didn’t reply, instead holding out a hand for Sophia to get onboard.

Isaac passed him his phone and Ganapati typed out a message before handing it back, then turned the boat towards the open sea.

‘They’ve cancelled the ashram ferry and the regular schedule, and roped everyone in to clean up,’ Isaac said to her.

‘But what about the day off for everyone doing the TTC?’

Isaac rubbed his face as if trying to remove his frown. ‘It’s not happening.’

Sophia was silent. She didn’t know if the situation was worse on the island, but they’d seen little damage on the mainland apart from palm fronds and other minor debris on the roads.

‘Will there be another day off instead of this one?’

He let out a weary sigh. ‘Probably not.’

Sophia’s heart sank. Jessica had been counting the hours until she could leave the ashram. Her friend’s stock of extra food was running low, and she, like everyone else on the course, was shattered and stir-crazy.

Isaac gazed at her, his hand reaching across the space between them.

Sophia glanced at Ganapati’s back, then took it.

‘Two weeks,’ Isaac mouthed.

She nodded and tightened her grip on his fingers. They could do this.

‘Hanuman!’

Mohan was striding along the dock towards them as Ganapati moored the speedboat. He held out a hand for Sophia to help her off the boat.

‘Everything okay at the hospital?’

‘Yes, thank you. I only need one crutch now’

He nodded, then turned to Isaac. ‘Where did you stay?’

Sophia’s heart thudded painfully in her chest. Lying made her acutely uncomfortable. What would Isaac say?

His expression was bland as he smiled at Mohan. ‘Our taxi driver found us a guest house with rooms.’

Mohan nodded. ‘Good. We took your tent down with all the others before the storm hit, but some roofs have damage.’

‘Anyone hurt?’

‘No, but the place is a mess. Guruji needs you in charge of a group doing the clean up.’

‘Can I help?’ Sophia asked.

Mohan glanced at her crutch, then nodded. ‘Drop off your bag, then find Anisha.’

‘Okay, thanks.’

She started along the dock.

Isaac came to her side. ‘You need any help?’

‘No, thank you, Hanuman,’ she said with as much detachment as she could muster. ‘I’ll be fine. You find Swami Vishnu.’

Isaac looked torn, his brow furrowing again.

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