Page 23 of The Love Position

Something flickered in his expression, but she couldn’t work out what he was thinking.

‘How’s your father doing?’

She blinked as her eyes suddenly pricked with tears. ‘Good. It’s such a relief that he’s home, and Mum’s overjoyed to have him and James back. Dad seems a bit slower, and he’s lost weight, but she’s fattening him up.’

‘And the dig?’

Sophia hesitated. ‘We’re finishing up the documentation and preparing the finds for a special exhibition at the Salisbury Museum as they’re affiliated with the University. The osteologist says there’s an eighty per cent chance the skeleton is male, and radio-carbon dating shows he’s from the early first century AD. It’s likely he’s Iceni from the coinage and other artefacts we found.’

‘That’s exciting.’

She nodded, although she didn’t feel that excited. After her discovery, Marcus had been more hands-on, taking over the excavation of her trench. On paper, she was still in charge, but in actuality, she felt like one of his minions.

‘Sophia…’

Her pulse quickened as she stared into Isaac’s emerald-green eyes. ‘Yes?’

‘I know we’ve spoken about your breathing before, but we’ve never had a chance to go into it in detail during the class. I’m concerned you’re chronically hyperventilating. If you can find the time, I’d like to offer you a free one-to-one so we can explore some different techniques and strategies to help.’

‘You don’t need to do that.’

‘I want to.’

‘I’m fine, honestly.’

He smiled. ‘Okay, but the offer’s there, so text me if you change your mind.’

Sophia nodded and rolled up her yoga mat, a present from Estelle. ‘Thank you. I’d better go. Sorry again for falling asleep.’

Isaac held up his hands. ‘Honestly, no problem at all. I really don’t mind if you need to sleep through the whole class.’

What?

He chuckled. ‘It’s happened before. Often this is the only time in the week women get to themselves and know they can relax without interruption or listening out for a child. If sleep is what you need from my class, then that’s more important than any posture.’

‘Wow. Is that why so many people come here in their pyjamas?’

Isaac let out a belly laugh, and Sophia’s tummy turned over. He was ridiculously good-looking at the best of times, but right now…?

Don’t let your silly crush turn into full-blown infatuation.

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

She nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, focusing on her mat.

‘Have a great weekend, Sophia. Will we see you next week?’

‘Thanks, you too. And yes, I’ll be there.’

Smoothing her hands over her skirt, Sophia entered the university archaeology department. Today was a meeting with the curators of the museum to discuss the exhibition and she wanted to make a good impression.

Inside the largest classroom, lying on a table, were the principal finds from the dig. Sophia’s gaze went from the sword, pottery, a horse bridle bit and coins, to the room of people.

As well as Marcus, Darcie, Kiera, and other students who’d stayed on after the end of term, the admin team for the department were there, staff from the museum, faces she didn’t recognise, and—journalists? A man stood to one side with a camera over his shoulder and a notepad in his hand.

She took a seat at the back as Marcus clapped to get everyone’s attention.

‘Hello everyone, thanks so much for coming today. I’ve prepared some information about the discovery for you. This is an opportunity for us to plan the exhibition and make an official statement to the press.’

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