Page 25 of Just Like That

A short while later, I wait outside the enclosure while Nick and his colleague haul the cage inside and open the gate to allow Rana to leave it. I had expected her to make a quick bid for freedom, especially as the enclosure is far bigger and more interesting than where she was being kept before, but instead she cowers inside.

‘Now it’s a waiting game.’ Nick appears beside me, gesturing to a bench that will allow us to keep an eye on Rana’s progress in relative comfort.

‘It must be scary for her, all this moving around.’ I take a seat and he joins me.

‘It’s unsettling for her, which is why I was keen to get her out here as quickly as possible. This is where she’ll grow her confidence before she’s moved into a larger enclosure around November time, and then a full-sized one next summer.’

‘Oh, so she’ll move again?’

‘She’ll have to.’ Nick gives an earnest nod. ‘She’ll eventually grow to about four to four and a half feet long and she’ll need a lot more space.’

‘There was me hoping she would stay all dinky and cute forever.’ I sigh.

‘Where do you get your knowledge of the natural world? Disney movies?’

I crease my brow at this unnecessary comment. ‘No.Obviously I know she’s going to grow bigger.’

‘Not only that, she’ll be able to rip you to pieces.’

‘OK, thanks for that. Now you’ve really burst my bubble.’

‘It’s the reality of the situation, I’m afraid.’ Nick sits back and crosses his arms. ‘Sun bears are shy and reclusive animals, but be under no illusion, if they feel under threat, they’ll inflict some damage with those claws. Too many people lack the respect you need to have for wild animals. Like those who keep big cats as pets and end up finding out the hard way.’

‘Well, that is bonkers.’ I shake my head. ‘And also quite cruel. So, tell me then, when you suggested I have a “cuddle” with Rana, was that your way of getting revenge? Were you just pretending to settle things between us, while secretly planning to let a psycho bear cub loose on me?’

Though I’m just kidding, he looks at me with a deadly serious expression.

‘I wouldneverput anyone in danger. I take my responsibilities as head keeper very seriously, Jess.’

‘Hey, I was only joking.’

Shocked by the strength of his reaction, I instinctively put my hand on his arm to reassure him, and as his troubled dark eyes land on mine, a sizzle of electricity passes between us. Taken aback by this unexpected chemistry, I quickly remove my hand and look away towards the enclosure, where I spot something moving around inside.

‘Oh my gosh, look! Rana’s out of her cage.’ I’m on my feet in an instant.

‘So she is.’ Nick follows suit. ‘Took her opportunity while we weren’t watching. Clever one, she is.’

We approach the enclosure where Rana is tentatively snuffling around, checking out her new temporary home. As we get nearer, she starts and then stays stock still for a moment, watching our every move. Then, to my delight, she resumes her investigation, the urge to explore perhaps too strong to resist.

‘I’m going in,’ says Nick. ‘You stay here. Let’s see how she responds now she’s got some space, and then we can make a call on whether you’re getting that cuddle today.’

He disappears around the side of the enclosure towards the hidden entrance.

‘You know, after what you just told me, I think I’m good,’ I call after him.

He pops his head back around the side of the enclosure and fixes me with a sincere look. ‘Jess, as I said, I would never put you in danger. It’s perfectly safe with her being this young and I’ll be there to keep an eye on things.’

‘I know. It’s just that… well, those claws may be small, but they look mighty sharp.’

‘How about you don’t make any decisions yet, and see how you feel once you’ve seen me working with her.’

‘Sounds good.’

I watch as Nick enters the enclosure. At first Rana keeps her distance from him, but then he coaxes her with some food – a handful of berries – and she slopes warily across to him. When she starts to eat, I just about lose myself, not just because it’s adorable, but because she has the longest tongue I’ve ever seen.

‘What is that?’ I all but shriek. ‘Why is her tongue like that?’

Rana takes fright at my outburst and backs away.

---