Page 149 of The Love Position

‘Yeah, but that turned out to be the best thing for me. Don’t forget, you lost yours, too. And you want to know one of my deepest, darkest secrets?’

‘I don’t know… Do I?’

Daniella laughed. ‘I’m going to say something terrible now and you must promise to keep it to yourself.’

‘I promise.’

‘Okay… I’m glad you kicked the shit out of Victor Thornfield. He was a smug, predatory arsehole, and he deserved every bruise you gave him. I know you regretted what you did, but I kept in touch with some of the girls from Conqueror, and when Thornfield came back to work, he was different. He didn’t touch anyone up again. It might not have been the best way to get him to stop sexually assaulting women, but it worked.’

Isaac was flabbergasted. He’d had no idea that anything positive had come out of his actions.

A baby cried in his ear.

‘Right, my time’s up. I’ve got to reassure Maisie I haven’t abandoned her.’

Isaac heard the cries getting louder.

‘Maisie-Moo, I’m here, sweetheart. Mummy’s here,’ Daniella crooned.

Emotion punched Isaac’s heart. Daniella was happy. She had a family. He hadn’t ruined her life.

‘Sorry, Isaac, I’ve got to dash. I hope it works out with Sophia. Let me know, okay?’

‘I will do. You go. And thanks, Daniella.’

‘No worries. Speak soon, bye.’

The call cut off.

Isaac let out a long breath, his gaze unfocused as the vast river moved in front of him. He should have spoken to Daniella years ago. Or maybe just now had been the perfect time.

His mind returned, like a tight rubber band, back to thoughts of Sophia. He’d emailed to say he might be a couple more weeks, but he was done here earlier than expected and free to go home.

Time to return to Foxbrooke.

Even if Sophia wouldn’t take him back, he had his life there, and now it felt new, fresh and exciting. And if he managed to hold on to his land? He had plans for it.

Taking out his phone, he gazed at it. Should he tell Sophia he was coming back? Ask if he could see her? His guts twisted. He didn’t want to put her under any pressure. Nor did he want to turn up unannounced and make some grand public gesture.

Sophia was shy and private and such a move would no doubt have the opposite effect of what he hoped for. Not to mention the fact Isaac had no idea what she might have told her family about him. The last thing he wanted was to show up at the door of Shoscombe Manor to find James and Kevin Hunter-Savage’s fists waiting for him.

He gazed at the ancient temples on the far bank, the even older mountains rising behind them. What would archaeologist Sophia make of it all? An idea whispered into his mind, as if the spirit of a sage from Rishikesh was still trying to help people.

Isaac smiled. He didn’t know if it would work, but it seemed the right way to let Sophia know he was waiting for her. Whenever she was ready.

27

The waiting room was stuffy and smelled of cleaning products and age. Sophia crossed and recrossed her legs, trying to get comfortable on the plastic chair as she focused on her breathing. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Michael Granger, had called her in for a meeting, and she knew it would be about her complaint against Marcus.

Her heart beat faster in her chest, however for the first time in her adult life, she was confident she could control her anxiety. This was all thanks to yoga, and Isaac.

Sophia tried to imagine him in India, and her heart ached. Now she was rested and had talked to Estelle, her head was in a better place. She could look at what had happened at the ashram with conscious clarity.

When she thought of what Swami Vishnu had done, she understood how Isaac must now be feeling. Just as she’d believed in Marcus and made her life serve his, Isaac had put his faith and trust in a man who’d betrayed him completely.

It’s just like what happened to his last girlfriend. All over again.

Sophia had been so exhausted and traumatised, she hadn’t fully grasped how her situation would have brought to the fore some of Isaac’s darkest memories.

---