Page 87 of The Love Position

Tearing her eyes away before her smile grew too big for her face or she accidentally begged him to kiss her, Sophia gazed around the garden. Whenever she was with Isaac, her senses heightened. But here, in this little corner of paradise, her soul was singing louder than the birds overhead.

She focused on the details, imprinting every facet of the experience so deep into her memory that no matter what happened in the future, she could close her eyes and find herself once again in this perfect moment.

Isaac let out a contented sigh. ‘There’s something so calming about being in nature.’

Sophia nodded. ‘Even if I’m on my knees in a muddy trench, I always feel happier there than back in the office.’

‘I’ve read some great studies on the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors.’

‘Forest bathing?’

He smiled. ‘Also known as “going for a walk in the woods”.’

She grinned. ‘When I first heard the term, I did think it must have been coined by a researcher trying to pretty-up a grant application.’

Settling back onto the bench, Sophia thought about Isaac’s house in Foxbrooke. Even though she’d only been there once, it had made such an impression on her that she missed it.

‘This is such a lovely place, but I still prefer your garden.’

‘You do?’

‘Don’t you?’

He nodded, then his expression became clouded.

‘Isaac?’

He blinked. ‘Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.’

‘Is everything okay?’

There was a pause before he replied, as if he was weighing up whether or not to tell her something.

‘There’s a proposal for a bypass around Foxbrooke. If it goes ahead, my land will be compulsorily purchased.’

Shock shot through her. ‘They can’t do that! Can you stop it?’

A shoulder lifted in a half shrug. ‘I’m doing what I can, and talking to other affected people, but I don’t know if it will do anything.’

‘Can I take a look at the proposal? I’ve had a decade in academia. I might be able to add some weightier language to your appeal.’

‘You’d do that?’

‘Of course! Your house and garden should have world heritage status. I don’t have my laptop with me, but I can work on it when I get home.’

‘Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.’

Sophia tried to imagine Isaac’s land disappearing under tarmac. If it happened, would he disappear too?

‘If the worst came to the worst,’ she began hesitantly, ‘would you buy somewhere else locally, or…’

He looked away, staring at the pond. ‘I thought I would leave.’

No! Adrenaline spiked in Sophia’s blood. The thought of losing Isaac, even as a friend, flooded her with panic. But how could she get him to stay?

‘I really hope you don’t go.’

His body stilled, then he nodded. ‘Me too.’

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