Page 118 of The Love Position

‘Yes, kind of.’

Sophia struggled to think of the right way to tell Estelle. She’d have to break the news to everyone anyway in two weeks. Could Estelle pave the way? Make it less of a shock for her parents? They’d already been through so much this year, and she didn’t want to add to their burdens.

‘Did you know Isaac used to work at Conqueror?’

‘Er, no.’

‘That was the job he left to become a yogi.’

‘O-kay… That’s super not-interesting and happened a million years ago. I want to know if he’s alright now. And what the fuck you were doing on the mainland? Did you make a break for freedom and he came to get you like a sexy yoga bounty hunter, armed only with the power of his om?’

Despite her tears, Sophia let out a small laugh, then steeled herself. ‘I didn’t tell you all the truth about my little fall.’

‘Go on…’

‘I fell into a statue with really sharp edges, and then it toppled onto me. As well as pulling my knee, I cut my hand and my head and needed to get it stapled at the hospital.’

‘What the fuck? Stapled? You’re not a fucking document!’

‘Apparently that’s normal.’

‘For what? Paper or people? Jesus, Soph!’

And this is why I didn’t tell James or my parents…

‘So you went back to the hospital for what? So they could pull the staples out, then chuck you in the recycling bin?’

‘Everything minus the recycling.’

‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes, and by the time I’m home, I shouldn’t need the crutch anymore.’

‘Crutch?!’

‘Please don’t tell James or my parents. I don’t want them to worry.’

Silence.

Estelle took a deep breath. ‘Okay, I won’t tell them the extent of your accident, but you need to text them to say you’re okay in case they check the news and find out about the storm.’

‘I will.’

‘So, what’s up with Isaac? Did he tell you why he buggered off to India early?’

This was it. Time to let the biggest secret Sophia had ever had out into the open.

‘Isaac and I are a couple.’

‘What?’

‘He said he’s in love and wants to spend the rest of his life with me.’

More silence.

Anxiety flashed across her skin. Did Estelle still have feelings for Isaac? Was James a poor replacement?

‘I’m sorry,’ Sophia said, her fingernails digging into her thighs.

---