At the mention of Turt, Gus’s face brightens. ‘How is Turt? I miss the little fella.’
Michel does a surreptitious nod so I take it to mean I should be honest and that Gus can handle it. ‘He’s not doing so well, Gus, but the conservationists can’t find any medical reason why. But I think I know. He’s suffering from a broken heart. He misses you. Can you spare any time for a quick visit?’
The old man chokes out a sob. ‘He’s really not doing well?’
‘He just needs to see you, and I get the feeling you need that too.’
‘Say the word,’ Michel says. ‘I can pick you up for a day trip.’
‘I’d love that, Michel. I really would. Honestly, being away from Turt has been a whole other heartache. I miss him so much it hurts and to hear he’s suffering too… well, I just can’t have that.’
We walk slowly around the park, Gus hobbling on a bad knee, doing lap after lap, until all the grievances have been shared and the air is clear.
45
Back at the Last Chance Resort I’m happy in the knowledge that Gus and Xavier have talked it out. All we can pray for now is that the second cancer trial is successful. That’s all that really matters in the end, the love we share when our friends need it most.
It’s late so my plan is to get dinner and thank Mariola for covering for me today. As I wander past the lagoon, someone grabs my arm and pulls me behind a palm frond. ‘Don’t scream.’
‘Is there any reason you couldn’t have just used my name? And why pull me into the garden? There could very well be spiders in here. I haven’t really done my research about such a thing but I’m presuming the tropics host a multitude of?—’
‘Doesn’t mind a chat, does she?’ Brian says to Doris and the three Lucys.
‘Will you pipe down?’ Lucy admonishes me.
‘OK. But are there spiders? Because if it’s all the same, I’d much rather have this discussion on the grass.’
‘For goodness’ sake, let’s just move or we’ll never hear the end of it,’ Lucy Lou mutters.
They promptly drag me from the fronds and into the light. ‘What is it?’
‘Well, as you know, Lucy Lou is our resident quiz champion…’
‘Do you cheat at that too?’ I can’t help but tease.
‘She’s not taking this seriously, is she?’ Lucy Lou pouts.
‘Sorry, I am.’
‘Listening ears on, Harper, because this concerns you,’ Doris spits.
‘Me?’
‘Yes, you. Why must you always act so surprised?’
‘OK, sorry, so Lucy Lou is the resident quiz champion and that relates to me how?’
Brian whacks something from his leg, probably a tarantula. Not sure if they’re found in these parts, but if so it’s his own fault.
‘Well, that’s the thing. So we were participating in our usual Thursday evening pub quiz, and it was all going rather swimmingly; even Brian was keeping the crass jokes to a minimum, which is all we can ask for really.’
‘He did say that rather off-colour joke about?—’
‘Hey, I didn’t know that sort of thing was offensive these days! You can’t blame an old bloke for that.’
‘He’s not woke,’ Lucy says.
‘I’ve only had a few beers! I’m in charge of my faculties.’
