Page 160 of The Love Position

Isaac had only ever seen this many cameras and microphones at press conferences on the television. Now they were zeroing in on the love of his life. The lights were almost blinding, and the constant camera shutter noise sounded like someone had kicked a box of Lego down the stairs.

But this was not Sophia’s first rodeo. She’d been the warm, engaging, and beautiful face of the whole dig. She’d announced the discovery of the grave and torc the previous year, handling the media attention with a confidence Isaac could not have guessed she had the first time they’d ever met.

Lacking a scraggly beard, ratty jumper, or arrogant sense of her own importance, archaeologist Sophia was a tabloid editor’s dream. Attractive, wholesome, and utterly non-threatening, she was also the perfect counterpart to the legend of Boudica, and a none-too-subtle way for the mainstream media to remind women how they should conduct themselves.

Isaac held Sophia’s phone steady, taking photos to send to Jessica. Jessica couldn’t attend the event, but was arriving in the UK for a visit in a couple of weeks’ time and Sophia was over the moon at the prospect of seeing her friend again.

‘It’s important to remember that, although the evidence tells us that this woman was a tall female of the highest status, buried with a sword, a mirror, pottery, Iceni coins and jewellery at the time of the uprising against the Romans, we cannot say definitively that she is Boudica,’ Sophia continued.

Isaac smirked. That was the official line, but everyone, Sophia included, believed they had found the warrior queen.

The exhibition had even been titled ‘Queen Boudica?’, and the signage for each exhibit had text that steered the reader into forming the same conclusions. ‘A warrior’s sword’, ‘A necklace fit for a queen’, ‘The history of Boudica’, were some display titles, along with a life-sized painting of what she might have looked like.

Maggie stood by Sophia’s side, her face sweaty and red, her smile fixed and slightly manic. She hadn’t wanted any recognition for the find, but Sophia had insisted, and the two of them had shared the credit.

And the money… Fifty per cent had gone to the landowner, with Sophia and Maggie sharing the rest. It was enough for Maggie to pay off her mortgage and spend more time outside with her metal detector, and Sophia now had a nest egg and freedom and choice in what work she did.

She’d used some of the money to remodel the barn into a yoga studio. Sophia’s suggestion had horrified Isaac. However, she’d calmly explained that it was more sensible to keep his London flat as an investment. Isaac only went along with her idea after adding Sophia’s name to the deeds for the flat and his house in Foxbrooke. Whatever he had was also hers, and that made it official.

His hand sat on the outside of his trouser pocket, the small item inside burning through the material into his palm. This was another way to ensure whatever he had was hers, but Sophia knew nothing about this particular plan.

‘Thank you all so much for coming,’ Sophia said, beaming at everyone as if they were her closest friends and had trekked across the country to celebrate her birthday. ‘I’ll be on hand for the next two hours, but if you have any questions, I’d be glad to answer them now.’

The horde of journalists started yelling, but were quickly interrupted by Isaac and Sophia’s family, clapping and whooping. Estelle stuck her fingers in her mouth and wolf-whistled loudly, and James marched forward into the throng like a scary cheerleader, the percussive slap of his hands and his bullish body language informing everyone in no uncertain terms that they should follow his lead.

‘That’s my girl!’ Kevin Hunter-Savage roared.

Sophia blushed, and smiled shyly in their direction.

Isaac’s heart swelled with love and pride as he gazed at her. No words could describe how amazing she was, and how much brighter and happier his life was with her in it.

As Sophia began answering questions, Maggie shuffled off the stage and hot-footed it behind the crowds towards the drinks table.

Meeting her there, Isaac passed her a glass of water.

‘Thanks, love.’ She downed it, then fanned her face. ‘Bugger me. I don’t want to do that ever again.’

‘You did great.’

She gave him the side-eye. ‘I stood there sweating like a pig in a bloody sausage factory.’

‘Did you want to say a few words?’

Raising both eyebrows, Maggie stared at Isaac as if he’d just asked the stupidest question of the day.

‘You know I didn’t. I’d rather impale myself on Boudica’s sword than have the spotlight on me.’

‘It’s only fair you share the glory.’

Maggie harrumphed, but couldn’t hide her grin. ‘I’d have been happy with bragging rights down the pub, but the fame has also come with a small fortune, so I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.’

They smiled at each other, then turned to where Sophia was deftly answering questions.

‘I never thought she had it in her,’ Maggie said quietly.

‘The confidence?’

She nodded. ‘Last January, she left a conference she was speaking at early rather than have to sit through the dinner and socialise with people she barely knew. Now look at her.’

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