Page 122 of The Love Position

‘Me too. And some fucker stole the rest of my food.’

‘Oh no! When?’

‘Sometime last night. They took the jerky and the rest of the chocolate.’

Sophia got to her feet. ‘Let me see if they’ve brought the brownie out yet.’

‘No, I’ll go. You need two hands for this job. Want any more curry? Salad?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m full enough and can’t face it, to be honest. Not when there are brownies to go around.’

‘I know what you mean. The moment I’m back onboard a mega-yacht, I’m gonna seduce the chef and live off fillet mignon, Cheetos and cream puffs.’

‘I don’t know what cream puffs are, but they sound delicious.’

‘Oh my god, girl, you haven’t lived. Google it later when you’re back in our crash pad. Right, I’m off.’

Sophia watched as Jessica got two plates, then walked up and down the lines of trestle tables, searching for the brownies.

Surely they would have been put out by now?

Stopping with a frown, Jessica eyeballed the private dining area where the Swamis and ashram staff were seated.

Oh no.

Her friend marched straight up to the table and leaned forward.

Anisha stood, pushing her away.

Jessica pushed back, her yell of ‘hey!’ loud enough to be heard by everyone.

Then Isaac was by their side, his head bent as he spoke to Jessica. He led her out of the area, then returned and dropped to a crouch beside Swami Vishnu.

Jessica stood to one side, her arms crossed, the white plates looking like weapons in her hands.

Swami Vishnu came forward into the main dining area and spread his arms.

Everyone fell silent.

‘Yogis and yoginis,’ he began with a benevolent smile. ‘We have weathered the storm, and all worked tirelessly to repair our beautiful ashram. In recognition of your karma yoga, I have two announcements.’

He paused for dramatic effect, and a murmur of anticipation passed around the tables.

‘We would, of course, appreciate any help you can continue to give today, for example, clearing up after this beautiful feast, preparing dinner, and relocating those who were sleeping in the top dorm room. However, if you feel you need to rest, you may take the afternoon off.’

He spread his hands as if bestowing the most generous of gifts, and people glanced at each other with hopeful excitement at the prospect of sleeping for the first time in over thirty hours.

‘And that’s not all,’ Swami Vishnu continued. ‘As a special treat, I have asked the chefs to make beneficially rajasic chocolate brownies.’

A collective gasp went around the tables.

Isaac and Mohan came forward, each carrying a huge metal tray. Isaac approached Jessica first, then went with Mohan to serve everyone else.

‘Enjoy!’ Swami Vishnu cried, clapping his hands.

People burst into applause, some cheering Swami Vishnu as he beamed at them with his hands in prayer position and his head inclined regally.

‘Sanctimonious motherfucker,’ Jessica growled as she sat opposite Sophia and passed her a plate, on which sat an enormous chocolate brownie.

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