Page 44 of The Summer Island Swap
There was no doubt in my mind. He liked Jonas as much as Jonas liked him.
But what could I do to bring them together?
21
‘Which has been your mostenjoyabletask this week?’ asked Rick, dark eyes twinkling.
We sprawled on a comfortable sofa in the Games Room. It was half past seven and we’d just arrived there after eating. Evening time spent here had become a daily habit. It was Friday. I’d actually survived six more days and had managed to control my urge to ring home and check up on Nelly – not that I would have had much time for phone chat.
Amy had more than survived – she’d thrived on helping out with the animals and her face was a picture when Wink’s appetite returned. Also, she’d gone for a stroll early one morning after a swim and found an injured bird. She’d carefully placed it in her cap and covered the hat with the dry T-shirt she’d pulled over her swimming costume. Amy had known that being in the dark would cause the bird less stress. Jackie was very impressed, especially when she found out Amy already suspected it was suffering from a broken wing.
‘There’s no question that your sister has the knack of handling animals,’ she told me later. ‘Efficient but compassionate. And she has that extra quality – a great bedside manner. It’s clear her job is driven by a true love of, and respect for, wildlife.’
Then one afternoon Rick had an urgent phone call. He, myself and Amy and two other volunteers were on the afternoon food preparation duties and he had to leave. She’d immediately offered to do his share and make sure the food shed was tidy before everyone went back to camp for dinner. He’d been happy to give her that responsibility.
‘The most enjoyable task? Now that’s a very hard question,’ I said airily and sipped my beer. Amy and Benedikt were, as usual, playing chess. Jonas was in the middle of a card game with Jackie and Helga. He didn’t look invested.
I’d kept my promise and not said anything to Benedikt – or my sister. As the days passed the clues about Benedikt’s feelings became more obvious to me. He always poured Jonas a glass of water at the dinner table before anyone else and complimented his shirts featuring various bands. If he took a good photo he’d show it to Jonas before anyone else.
However, the biggest revelation this week had been how well Rick and I got on. Like me, he hated jogging and loved American TV comedies. Bizarrely, we both had the same drink fetish – milk and Coca Cola mixed together in equal quantities. I’d never be such a keen conservationist like him and he was beginning to understand that this volunteering experience was a huge challenge for me.
‘But that’s okay,’ he’d said, very early last Monday morning, as we’d headed off to do bird counting. ‘Because I can tell you don’t give up once you’ve put your mind to something. We’re similar like that. My driving is a joke in the family. It took me over fifty lessons back in London to pass my test, second time around, but I was determined. I’m not saying it’s always a good trait – my brother often calls me stubborn – but it has its advantages.’
‘I did a car maintenance course once. I stayed behind the week we were shown how to change a tyre, I found it so difficult. It took me so long to master what to do, I ended up taking the teacher for a late-night curry. But I got there in the end.’
He’d gazed at me. Muttered that I was made of stern stuff before changing the subject. I had, indeed, persevered this week, tended to my blisters that slowly healed and done my best to avoid more mosquito bites. I’d worn sensible clothes and my cap. I hadn’t even bothered with my makeup, nor attempted to style my hair.
Which was an unexpected but surprisingly welcome change. Perhaps it was due to my new undomesticated surroundings. I liked to think myself body positive and was grateful I’d never become obsessed with chasing a slim figure like some of my friends. But being well-groomed… looking smart… like Mum, like Anabelle… I’d fought against the voices telling me I should be like them. But then there seemed little point once I gained employment as a receptionist. How refreshing it was, for the first time in my life, not to have easy access to a mirror.
Day in, day out, this trip was surprising me. And another thing that lifted my spirits was making the effort to keep Jonas cheerful.
Rick put his drink back on the floor by his feet. ‘Perhaps an easier question might be which task has been the most bearable?’
I returned his wide smile and took another sip of the beer, feeling rejuvenated following an afternoon of trail clearing. I said the word ‘Chatty’ to catch the monkey’s attention and tickled his head. He was perched on Rick’s shoulder, holding onto a leather pendant around Rick’s neck. Without his sight perhaps he thought it was a piece of trailing ivy or a plant that might bear fruit. Chatty let go and curled his tiny hand around my wrist. I was used to this now. It meant he didn’t want the tickling to stop. He bared his teeth on my skin just to emphasise his desire.
‘The bird counting trips have been annoyingly interesting,’ I said.
Overnight nets were left out in different locations – near the beach and in the forest. Then we’d get up really early and examine them. Jackie would identify the species of bird and tag one of their legs before we’d release them again. As the sun became brighter, we’d climb rope bridges to observation platforms in the trees and count more birds using binoculars. From the canopies I’d seen sandpipers with long beaks, a yellow-billed cuckoo, a variety of doves, a woodpecker and a green and yellow parakeet. But most beautiful of all, in the nets, was a delicate hummingbird with iridescent green and purple plumage. It looked as if it had flown straight out of one of Monet’s water lily paintings.
Amy had wanted a budgie once, as a little girl, but Mum had firmly said no – keeping anything in a cage, and alone, was cruel. She only let Amy have a hamster as he had a plastic ball to run around in and research revealed they preferred to be solitary animals. Mum also preferred potted plants to cut flowers. Dad called her over-sensitive.
‘I also… well, not sure I’d go so far as to sayenjoyedbut managed to endure my second turtle egg collecting trip with Jackie . And the butterfly catching on Tuesday really taught me patience, sneaking up on ones that weren’t in motion.’ There were delicate white butterflies, yellow ones and a vibrant orange species too. ‘As for cleaning the shower blocks and emptying the toilets…’ I threw my hands in the air. ‘What’s not to adore about that?’
Rick grinned and gently lifted Chatty onto his lap, and took over head-scratching duties. However the monkey reached out. I put my hand between his paws. He held on tight. Rick passed me the lead handle and placed him on my lap instead. I whistled ‘Daydream Believer’. Chatty sat still for a moment.
Rick’s eyes crinkled. ‘Chatty and you have really clicked.’
The little blond face reached up and he chewed my chin. Very gently I tapped him on the nose. He squeaked indignantly so I moved my finger behind his ears and began scratching.
‘Seriously though…’ I exhaled. ‘I have liked parts of the experience so far. A spa break would have still suited me much better but I have to admit to feeling a degree of satisfaction over certain tasks. Like when it was my turn to bury the turtle eggs in the protected sandpit. And even though I needed a shower after cutting up all that juicy fruit for Chatty, for the birds, the bats and iguanas, it felt good to watch them devour their food.’
‘You had a really shaky start. I’ve never seen anyone recover like that.’
And I wasn’t expecting to like you, let alone seek out your company, I thought.
Take our evenings in the Games Room. It just felt right, sitting with him. The chat was easy now. The humour frequent. Perhaps there wouldn’t be a problem simply enjoying the company of a man like him.
As long as we were just friends.
