Chapter Four
‘You’re what?’ Becca shrieks when I call her on my return to the hotel.
I allow myself a smile at the incredulity in her voice and the expression of disbelief on her face. Isn’t video-calling wonderful? Becca is the most adventurous person I know and even she’s gobsmacked by what I’m considering.
‘Thinking about becoming a volunteer in a sloth sanctuary,’ I say again.
‘God, Kat, I know you can be impulsive, but this is huge even by your standards. You certainly don’t do things by halves. Bust up with your about to be live-in lover one day, move to Costa Rica the next to work with your favourite animals.’
She’s not wrong there. My life has gone from ordinary, to extraordinary, to off the chart in the space of only a few days. No more humdrum for me. My thoughts flit to my job at Peterson’s Pet Supplies. Can I ditch the security it offers me? It’s not the most exciting job, and it pays the bills, but it was always meant to be a stopgap. A stopgap that has lasted almost ten years.
‘I know, Becca, it sounds crazy, but what do you really think? Honestly. Could I do it?’ When she doesn’t answer straight away, I prod her. ‘Would you?’
She’s quicker with her comeback this time. ‘You know I would, if it were my sort of thing. If you stay, I’m definitely coming for a holiday.’
So not an outright no, then. Phew! I really value Becca’s opinion; I always have.
‘But, Kat, what about your mum? What about your job? What about the paperwork? Visa? Money? You’re not me. You prefer the safer option usually.’
I mull this over as I digest her barrage of questions. ‘Mum will be as fine as she ever is where I’m concerned. And maybe this is the kick up the backside I needed to leave Peterson’s. I mean, it’s hardly my dream job, is it?’
She murmurs her agreement.
‘And as for the paperwork, Dexter says he and Carlos would sort all that for me.’
‘Well, that’s certainly one hurdle out of the way,’ Becca says. ‘But it’s a volunteer post, so what will you live on? And don’t you have to pay a fee to be a volunteer?’
I chew on my lip. The downside to video-calling is people can see all your facial expressions and not just have to work out what you’re thinking from your tone.
‘I do have some savings, but meals are paid for, and I don’t need to pay any rent, obviously. They’ve waived the fee, as I’m helping them out of a jam, plus the other volunteer’s deposit was non-refundable, and of course they didn’t have to pay any travel costs for me to get here.’
Becca tilts her head to the side. ‘Kat, I think you have your answer. Those were the only obstacles I could think of, and you know me, I’m a throw caution to the wind kinda person. I can already see how happy you are at the mere thought of doing this, nuts though it all may seem at the moment. Imagine how happy you’ll be once you start living that dream.’
Becca’s cornflower-blue eyes bore into mine then she quirks an eyebrow. ‘Right?’
With a rush of resolve, and a good dollop of bravery, I decide to seize the day.
‘Becca, I’m doing it! I’m going to volunteer at a sloth sanctuary!’
‘Yay! An early birthday present to yourself!’ She claps her hands together so hard and fast her wavy red hair bounces around her shoulders.
I’ve almost forgotten what day it is. Of course, two days until my thirtieth birthday and although it’s going to be quite different to the day I imagined, I can’t wait.
Next morning, I’ve just come out of the shower when my phone rings.
‘Kat, it’s Dexter. The answer’s yes. Carlos is on board.’
‘Oh, that’s fantastic. You have no idea how happy that makes me.’
A tiny part of me hopes Dexter’s happy about it too. I give an infinitesimal shake of my head. I’m so not ready to get embroiled in anything else, romantically, but he is easy on the eye, which is always a bonus.
‘Would you be able to come back to the sanctuary tomorrow at some point to go through everything and then we can sort a start date?’ he asks, with what I think is a note of hope in his voice.
I hesitate and Dexter must take this as uncertainty as he jumps in with, ‘Sorry. Of course, you’ll have lots to sort out in the UK, too.’
‘No, it’s not that. It’s just, tomorrow’s my birthday, my thirtieth birthday, and I fancied doing something special for it.’
‘No problem. I understand. And happy birthday for tomorrow,’ Dexter says. ‘Would today be too soon, or how about the day after tomorrow?’
‘Today’s fine. I do have some things to take care of back home, but they can wait.’
‘Excellent. How about I swing by and pick you up? You don’t have a car, I’m guessing, so getting here is a bit tricky by public transport.’
I snort. ‘I’ll say. And if we can do it in a way that avoids the crocodile-infested swamp-river, I’d be ever so grateful.’
Dexter laughs. ‘No problem. Yes, once is enough for the scenic route. See you in a couple of hours.’
I’m almost fizzing with happiness at the thought of working with animals, properly, not some sideline where I sell pet food supplies in the hope of one day, somehow, making the leap to working with animals again. And I won’t be just working with any animals, but my favourite animals, sloths. I only wish I had someone here with me who I could share my wonderful news with. Someone who matters to me. Like Dad. I cough past the tennis-ball-sized lump in my throat.
Suddenly, I know for sure I’m doing the right thing. This is what Dad would have wanted, and although I’m doing it ninety-five per cent for me, five per cent of me is doing it for him.
Doing what he never could, what he could never have even dreamed of. Isn’t life strange? Sometimes life gives you lemons– Aidan– and you can either suck it up, or make lemonade. Costa Rica and the Costa Punta sloth sanctuary will be my lemonade, and I can’t wait to start.
The rest of the morning is spent making a list of all the things I need to take care of back home, as well as advising reception I’ll be checking out in a couple of days, and cancelling my flight. I tap out a text to Becca first. All done. I’m going to live in a sloth sanctuary! x
A few seconds later, she replies. Always said you were a lazy git! She signs off with a plethora of emojis, including a love heart one, a PMSL one, a winking one, and ten sloths. She’s mad. And I love her, and couldn’t wish for a better best friend. If anyone can help me with this transition, particularly from afar, it’s Becca. And I don’t doubt that she’ll do her best to come visit.
I’ve decided to put off telling Mum for a few days until I’ve settled in and dealt with the paperwork. I’ve emailed my boss, explaining the situation to him, and apologising, but laying it on quite thick about this being my dream life. I also reminded him I have four weeks’ annual leave accrued, so I’m taking those holidays now. Plus, I know who will step into my shoes. Leona. And we have plenty of staff who are always looking for extra shifts. It’s unnerving to realise how little I’ll be missed, after ten years. I mean, I don’t exactly need a carriage clock or a party in my honour, but knowing that you’re just a number stings. The upside is, it makes jacking in your job a heck of a lot easier.
Lunch is a salad that I take with me down to the pool area, where I see Nicolás talking with Ed, then I spot Oscar in the water.
Ed raises his hand in salute, so I wander over with my salad and sit down beside him and Nicolás as Oscar climbs out of the pool.
‘So, did Sofia and Carlos go for it?’ Ed asks.
He doesn’t say anything else, which I like. I can tell he doesn’t want to be too pushy.
I’m unable to prevent myself from my smiling. ‘Indeed they did.’
They wait expectantly for me to deliver my verdict. ‘I can’t wait to start! Dexter is picking me up in half an hour then we’ll return to the sanctuary to go over the details and paperwork.’
Oscar beams at me. ‘Oh, Kat, you’ll make a wonderful volunteer.’ He stands and gives me a hug, which is kind of at arm’s length as he is still a little wet from his swim.
‘Congratulations.’ Ed grins at me. ‘Lads, one more for our nights out.’
I scrunch my eyebrows. ‘Nights out?’
‘Yeah, you didn’t think you were moving to some backwater, did you? The nightlife here rocks. And you’ll have to meet my wife, Gloriana. I have a feeling you’re going to have so much in common. Just don’t let her talk nappies to you. Downside of having a baby and a toddler.’
Nicolás kisses me on the cheek. I’m surprised when he doesn’t kiss me on the other cheek. Maybe that’s only a European thing. ‘Don’t listen to him. Gloriana is far more interesting than he is. I’m so happy you’re going to be working at the sanctuary. I know I’m biased, as they’re my family, but Carlos and Sofia are amazing.’
Ed sets his water down on the ground. ‘It’s true. They are. Two of the kindest people you could ever meet.’
‘And Dexter’s a great deputy manager,’ says Nicolás. ‘He’s really good with people.’
Do I detect an undercurrent of something in his voice? Humour, perhaps. Whatever, I’m turning red. Hopefully, it will pass as sunburn. Sure, Dexter’s good-looking, but I have literally just come out of a long-term relationship two days ago. The last thing I need is another complication. I still have that to sort out back home. At least now I can do it from a different country, no, a different continent, and somehow that makes it more palatable.
‘And sloths,’ says Oscar. ‘Total animal lover.’
Why do I get the feeling they’re trying to sell me Dexter? Not like you’d need to. Like I said, he’s gorgeous, but even so, I almost feel like they’re matchmaking.
Well, a new job in the Tropics I may be up for, a new boyfriend I’m not. I plan on staying resolutely single for a really long time. Almost moving in with Aidan will do that to a girl.
As I listen to Nicolás recount numerous tales of the sanctuary, I can’t help wondering how Flash is faring. Hopefully, I’ll find out this afternoon.
‘Hi, guys, and Kat.’
I turn at the sound of Dexter’s voice. He’s wearing a white linen shirt and a pair of frayed cut-offs with trekker sandals. It’s a definite improvement on the khaki sanctuary uniform. I sense the eyes of the other three boring into me as I turn round to greet him. Well, there’ll be no show for them today.
‘Dexter.’ I stand. ‘I’m ready to go. See you, boys.’
Dexter looks a little nonplussed, and for a nanosecond I feel guilty, but then I take in the three amigos’ faces and realise I’ve done the right thing. Somehow, I just know they would have made little in-jokes and been winking at me behind his back if we’d stayed. Let me get this part over with, the formalities, before I change my mind. Although, as I follow Dexter, I have to admit wild horses wouldn’t drag me away now. And at least now the boys won’t see how red my face has become, because either my face is scarlet or I’m going through the menopause twenty years too early.
As we make the journey back to the sanctuary, Dexter fills me in a little on the history of the area. The road is a little bumpy in parts, but it’s still preferable to risking my life by canoeing along the swampy river. That’s not an experience I wish to repeat in a hurry, or at all.
Dexter rattles off some of the formalities, too, about various pieces of paperwork that are now in progress.
‘You have to apply for a provisional visa to do volunteer work, but I don’t foresee any problems. We know someone at the department, someone we usually work with when hiring volunteers, so it hopefully won’t take too long.’
‘That’s good. And what about after that?’ I ask, clutching the grab handle with one hand as the truck lists to the side slightly.
‘Carlos and I will prepare the documents with you for the consulate. Once we have the provisional visa, we’ll finalise the process. And if all else fails, we can always nip over to Nicaragua or Panama to satisfy the requirements.’
I give a silent sigh of relief and cough slightly at his usage of satisfy. Aren’t there pirates in Nicaragua, though?
Dexter’s face creases into a smile. ‘Don’t look so worried. It’s all in hand. Promise.’
Somehow, that reassures me. I’ve given more thought to what I’m having for my dinner than I have this madcap move to Costa Rica. It’s only natural I’ll experience some level of apprehension. And since I tend to play things safe, this is a very big departure for me.
‘How’s Flash?’ I ask, changing the subject.
Dexter nods. ‘Good. He’s coming along really well. He has even taken a little milk this morning. Luciana will sort him out. We’ll soon have him driving us nuts hanging from the blinds like the others.’
I’m delighted to hear the little guy is OK, but it occurs to me that they must lose sloths sometimes. Surely not all of them can be saved, but I can’t bring the topic up right now. It’ll have to wait for another day. Today is to be a happy, if overwhelming, day.
Through the window, I note the different colours of hibiscus: yellow, orange, purple, white. The landscape is so pretty, so picture perfect, no wonder the Condé Nast I read on the plane named it the most beautiful country in the world. A smile curves my lips upwards. I’m going to be living here, and all I can think is ‘ Wow! ’
‘Here we are.’ Dexter finally pulls up at a tall green wooden gate. This must be the tradesman’s entrance to the sanctuary. I haven’t seen any signposts for it.
He jumps out and opens the gate by punching a code into a small black box to the left-hand side.
We’re in a courtyard with two identical buildings opposite each other, which look like accommodation blocks, and another building, which I think may be the rear of the main sanctuary I was in yesterday. A wooden house, painted blue, with a lean-to and a wraparound veranda stands off to one side. In the centre of the courtyard there’s some kind of meeting place, with several wooden garden chairs, a couple of benches and a rattan sofa around a firepit. Fresh flowers in pots are dotted around the exterior of the blue house and the blocks.
‘C’mon,’ Dexter says. ‘This way.’ He leads me down a path covered by a canopy of trees. It ends in a rather nondescript entrance with a keypad and doorbell.
As we enter, Sofia catches sight of us and comes towards us, beaming, then almost suffocates me in a bear hug as Dexter leaves me to it. ‘I am so happy you are going to be part of our family.’
I smile, a little overwhelmed, but totally taken with the sanctuary matriarch.
‘Me too,’ I say as she fusses round me, shepherding me to one of the offices where Dexter and Carlos are deep in discussion.
‘Ah, she’s here.’ Carlos rises from his chair and envelops me in a hug. It’s rather disconcerting being embraced in this way, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
‘I’ll leave you with the boys.’ Sofia casts an endearing look at Carlos, who returns it.
Dexter smiles and gives me a nod. Pity it wasn’t a hug from Dexter. Shut up. You’re just out of a relationship. A messy one. Yes, but you’d need to be blind to not admire the fine specimen that Dexter is. I park those thoughts for later as Carlos speaks to me.
‘Thank you so much, Kat, for plugging this gap. I don’t know what we’d have done without you.’
I gulp. He has high expectations and I have no experience with sloths. He must read my mind as he says, ‘Don’t worry that you haven’t worked with sloths before. I trust Dexter’s instincts, and from what he has told me about you, you will fit in here perfectly and look after our babies as we would.’
He has that second part right. I hope the first part will come true, too.
I glance at Dexter, who’s sitting with his arms crossed, a playful but smug smile on his lips. Thank you , I mouth.
Suddenly, I can’t wait to get started. It hits me, like a blow to my solar plexus, how real this is. I’m moving to the jungle. A week ago, if you’d told me this, I’d have laughed in your face. A week ago I’d been trying to convince our biggest client not to move to another pet supply company, and had given them a further ten per cent discount to keep their business. A week ago I had a boyfriend. A week ago I was planning to move in with him. Today, I live in the rainforest and work with sloths. A burst of joy radiates from me and my whole body fizzes with pleasure. I’m about to sign paperwork which will allow me to be here, with my favourite animals, working in close proximity with a man whom I already respect and, if I’m entirely honest with myself, could ogle much of the day as he’s bloody gorgeous. Plus, I have the bonus of my bosses being total sweethearts. And I’m going to hang on to this new bout of luck with both hands.
Once we’ve gone through the relevant paperwork, Carlos claps his hands together. ‘Right, I have some business I need to take care of. Dexter, can you show Kat to the accommodation block and where everything is?’
‘Sure. Then I was thinking we could go see how Flash is doing.’
‘Great idea,’ Carlos and I say at the same time, then we laugh.
‘See, we are in synchrony already.’ Carlos pats me on the shoulder. ‘Have fun with Dexter.’
Oh, don’t worry. I intend to.