Page 23 of Just Like That

‘No.If I think someone’s high maintenance, I’ll say they’re high maintenance. Serge’s a good guy, but I always feel exhausted and a little deafened in his company.’

I put a hand to my mouth to cover up a smirk. ‘I guess I can understand that. Especially when you prefer the company of those who don’t talk back, as you’ve mentioned. I didn’t realise Lauren is Gwen’s daughter. How does that dynamic play out here?’

Nick finally turns away from the tank and faces me. ‘Someone’s fishing this morning.’

‘I’m not “fishing”, I’m interested.’

‘That’s code for fishing.’

I’m about to protest my innocence, when Nick holds up a calming hand.

‘Hey, I’m messing. Lauren’s cool. There are no bad politics, if that’s what you’re wondering. Obviously, she got the job because of who she is, but she’s good at it, if a little inexperienced.’

‘That was all I wanted to know.’ I give Nick my beady eye so he’s clear I’m not a gossip. ‘It’s important that I get a feel for how you all work together as well as how the park operates.’

‘Sure, whatever.’ He shrugs in a way that leaves me wondering where he’s at with my statement.

‘So, what are we doing today?’

I’m keen to move the conversation on, not least because I’m feeling judged – and I don’t know whether that’s because I am being judged, or because Nick’s demeanour brings out a level of insecurity in me.

‘Today, we’ll be working with the park’s newest resident.’

‘Which is?’

‘You’ll find out in a moment.’

He potters around, clearing away some bits and pieces, then beckons for me to follow him out of the room. I trail behind him into the corridor, where he stops and puts a finger to his lips. The rustling I heard when I first arrived is louder than before.

‘Is that the new animal?’

‘It is,’ Nick confirms with a nod. ‘I think you’re going to like her.’

‘Great, well, go on then.’ I attempt to hurry him along.

‘OK. One more thing before we go in. She’s very timid, so you need to be calm and gentle around her.’

‘Noted. Let’s go.’

‘Patient one, aren’t you?’ He gives me what appears to be a judgemental look, which I don’t particularly appreciate.

‘You don’t get anywhere in life by being patient,’ I snipe back at him. ‘If I were patient, I’d lose every contract to my competitors, and I’d never produce the quality of events that have our clients returning to us year on year.’

‘All right, it was just a joke.’

‘Sorry, I missed that.’ I smile sweetly at him. ‘Maybe you need to work on your delivery.’

Nick shakes his head, clearly thinking that he never knows where he’s at with me. Well, ditto, mate.

He holds a finger up to his lips and we creep inside the room. The rustling is louder for a moment, and then it stops completely. From behind Nick I can’t see much at first, then he steps aside and looks to me for my reaction as I get my first sight of the park’s newest resident.

She’s a tiny little bear cub – probably not more than a few months old – with short dark brown fur and a caramel-coloured face and snout. She has oversized paws as young animals often do, with sharp-looking claws, and another caramel-coloured patch at the top of her chest that makes it look like she’s wearing a collar. As she gazes up at us, her chocolate brown eyes wary of our approach, I feel my heart melt into a puddle.

‘Oh my goodness, she’s absolutely adorable,’ I whisper. ‘What kind of bear is she?’

‘She’s a sun bear,’ says Nick. ‘Her name is Rana.’

‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so cute. Hello, Rana.’ I adopt my talking-to-cute-animals-and-babies-voice, then I move a little closer to the cage she’s in and crouch down. ‘Aren’t you just beautiful? Oh yes, you are.’

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