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in the kitchen or doing God knows what around the house. We came home yesterday to find her making apricot jam using the fruit in the garden. I think Michael fell more in love with her than ever at that point. Last night he took her for dinner in the city and Josh went out with his mates. I’ve spent every evening this week around the house, practising with my new camera, watching telly and gradually getting over my jetlag, so I was well up for a night out, but an invitation never came. For the first time since we arrived, it bothered me.
    Now it’s Saturday morning and I’ve been sitting in the kitchen for half an hour with no sign of anyone. I check my watch again, wondering if I should wake Michael. At this rate we’re going to be late. I drum my fingers on the tabletop and decide to give it a few more minutes.
    Yesterday, Ben let me put Cindy back into her loft. He had to hold onto her while I clambered over the wall because I’m only five foot six and couldn’t quite manage it with a koala in my arms, but I carried her all the way there after her Meet the Tourists session and put her back on her perch. She clutched hold of my arm and held on tight around my neck, just like a small child would. She reminded me of Olivia, and that thought made me smile instead of cry.
    Ben told me afterwards that some idiots have been known to climb over the wall and try to pick up a koala, but they don’t know how to handle them properly and usually get bitten. I’m glad he waited until after I put her on her perch, otherwise I would have been nervous. I can’t wait to see the animals again today.
    Right, that’s it, I’m waking him.
    I stand up and stride purposefully out of the kitchen and down the corridor. I reach Michael’s bedroom door and stop in my tracks when I hear voices inside. I quickly retreat to the kitchen and sit back down at the table.
    ‘Good morning!’ Michael booms when he appears a moment later. ‘You’re up bright and early.’
    ‘It’s seven-thirty,’ I say cautiously. ‘Shouldn’t we be setting off soon?’
    ‘Oh.’ He claps a hand to his head. ‘Sorry, darl, I thought I told you – I’m not working today.’
    My stomach falls flat. ‘You’re not working today?’
    ‘No. So you’ve got the day off.’
    But I don’t want the day off. I want to go to the conservation park. Maybe I could go with Ben?
    ‘Is Ben at work today?’ I ask hopefully as Michael sets about making tea.
    ‘No, he’s off today too, I’m afraid. You sure do like it there, don’t you?’
    I’m so disappointed I can barely speak so I nod my reply.
    ‘We’ll have to start paying you at this rate,’ Michael continues. ‘Ben said you’ve really been pulling your weight.’
    It’s true. I’ve been helping him a lot. At first I thought he was just being nice to me, keeping me company because Michael always seems to be in demand by everyone else, but I think I’ve been useful. I’m glad he said so to Michael.
    ‘Hmm,’ Michael muses. ‘I might have to speak to Trudy about that.’
    ‘Trudy in the front office? About what?’ I ask.
    ‘If we can get you a little summer job.’
    My heart soars. ‘Really?’
    ‘I don’t see why not. I’ll see what I can do.’
    ‘That would be amazing,’ I enthuse. That would mean I could go there every day. Well, almost every day. ‘Are you back at work tomorrow?’ I ask brightly.
    ‘No, Monday.’ He chuckles when he sees my face. I try to perk up because I don’t want to seem ungrateful. ‘Why don’t you take a trip into the city today?’ he suggests. ‘Go shopping, see the sights. I’m sure your mum would let you borrow her car. Or you could even use the truck, for that matter.’
    ‘What, and drive myself?’
    He claps his hand over his forehead for the second time this morning, saying, ‘I forgot, you can’t drive.’
    I shake my head, wryly.
    ‘When’s your birthday? This coming week, isn’t it?’
    ‘Wednesday.’
    ‘Won’t be long,