Page 148 of The Love Position

She’s still got the same number? After all these years?

He took the call. ‘Daniella?’

‘I can’t believe you still have the same number!’

‘I was just thinking the same about you. You got my email?’

‘That’s why I’m ringing. You okay? I don’t think we’ve spoken for, what, over a decade?’

‘Yeah. It’s been a long time. How are you?’

‘Good. I’m in Sevenoaks now, working part time due to the kids.’

‘Kids?’

She laughed. ‘Yep, I’ve been busy. Got married to a doctor called Adam and we’ve got three kids. Maisie’s one, Ada’s three, and Wilfred’s five.’

‘Wow.’ Isaac was completely stunned.

‘You?’

‘Er…’ How empty his life sounded in comparison. ‘I’ve just been teaching yoga in Somerset. Haven’t done the marriage or kids thing.’

‘Sounds like the quiet life you were after.’

‘It was, but I don’t think it’s right for me anymore. I met someone this year and I really hope it can work out.’

‘That’s great, Isaac! What’s her name? What’s she like?’

The smile spread naturally across his face. ‘She’s an archaeologist. Called Sophia. She’s shy and sweet, and just… utterly lovely.’

‘You are in love.’

‘Yeah. I didn’t think it would ever happen again.’

‘Well, I’m glad. I can’t have you moping after me for the rest of your life,’ Daniella said, the humour clear in her voice. ‘So, what can I do for you? I’ve got a few minutes before Maisie wakes from her nap and demands feeding.’

Isaac rubbed a hand across his face, memories flooding into his mind as if they’d happened yesterday.

‘Last week, Sophia was assaulted in an almost identical way to how you were by Thornfield.’

Daniella gasped.

‘She’s going to be okay, and I’m working with other people on getting him removed from the organisation and prosecuted. At least for what he’s done to other women in India.’

‘Who was it?’

Isaac hesitated, guilt and shame catching in his throat. ‘It was my guru.’

‘Oh, Isaac… Shit. I’m so sorry.’

He took a deep breath, acknowledging the pain of betrayal and how deep the wound went.

‘It just brought back everything that happened to you, and I needed to apologise again and check you were okay.’

‘Me? Honestly, I’m more than fine. I don’t even know the last time I thought about it, but it must have been years ago. It feels like I was a completely different person back then, so young and so bloody unhappy.’ Daniella sighed. ‘I’d got what I thought was my perfect job, but then I absolutely hated it and didn’t know how to tell you. Our relationship was on the rocks, and you were so overworked and stressed out. God, Isaac, it was a perfect storm. And when it all went to shit, I blamed you. I’m sorry for everything I said.’

‘Huh? You had nothing to be sorry for! I cost you your job!’

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