Isabella's Last Request (10 page)

We’re finally on our way to Australia. This is one of the places I’ve been most looking forward to; I’m so excited although the flight seems to be taking forever!

We’ve had a really busy cou
ple of months, Isabella and I went to Thailand a few days before the boys met us there, so we had some girly time and relaxed a bit. As soon as the boys arrived, we went on an elephant safari ride, which was one of the most amazing experiences ever. We sat on them in pairs, Ollie and me on one and Isabella and Josh on another. We rode them all through the jungle, and then at the end we helped to wash them and watched them play. They’re beautiful and the most graceful animals, especially considering their size.

             
After the elephants, we volunteered at one of the local orphanages for a couple of weeks, before visiting all the must see places. So we managed to tick off a fair few things from the list before heading to New Zealand.

The boys really wanted to do the Lord of the Rings walk but Isabella and I didn’t fancy it. They were going to go without us, but after a bit of an argument, they decided to stay with us and do the sights and relax instead.
Izzy’s started to get quite strong mood swings now, so can get away with kicking up a bit. She soon put the boys in their place when she reminded them why we're here, if it wasn't for her we'd all be at work. Josh had a little sulk like only Josh could, but Ollie agreed with Isabella and told his friend to think about Izzy.

              ‘I think I’ve changed my mind about this! I’ll never be able to look you two in the eye again.’

             
‘Ollie may have a point. Isabella and I both have to do this to be able to cross off 76, 55 and maybe even 56, although the latter not together. But we never specified we’d have to do this together. Perhaps we could split into pairs for this bit? Ollie and I will head left, and you two can head right. Then we can all meet up later… when we’re dressed.’

             
Izzy and Josh are both grinning at us like naughty children. I imagine they’re both thinking we’re prudes, but it took long enough for me to agree to Isabella putting skinny dipping and nudist beach on the list. I didn’t even consider doing it in front of people I know, other than Ollie of course, he sees me naked all the time.

             
‘Alright Livs, calm down. I’m not that desperate to see you and Ollie naked! Text me when you’ve had enough.’

With that, Isabella and Josh head off and I’m left with an awkward Ollie.

              ‘Do we have to do this kitten? Can’t we just tell them we’ve done it, and just go find a normal beach instead?’

I admit I’d love to go to a nice, normal beach, but it could be exciting to be naked in a public place. I doubt I’ll be doing it again in a rush, so let’s go for it!

              ‘Don’t be a pussy Ollie, let’s go for it!’

Oh god, why did I just use that word? That’s a horrible word I’d never normally use, I must have a confidence boost from knowing I’m about to get naked. I’m so pleased I remembered to shave this morning.

              ‘I will not be spoken to like that Miss Hope; I think I’ll have to punish you. Now come on, let’s go find a spot.’

As I start to walk forward, Ollie spanks my ass gently but it takes me by surprise so I let out a little yelp. As I turn around to look at
him, his eyes are twinkling. He throws his arms around my neck and whispers ‘Let’s go find somewhere hidden away.’ Before kissing me passionately, oh my god, he actually wants to have sex on the beach! How will that work? What if someone sees? What if I get sand in places sand shouldn’t go? Deep breath Olivia, calm down, you’re now a confident woman in a lovely relationship. You’re in a place you’ll never return to, so even if someone does see, you’ll never see them again!

             
I’ve just psyched myself up to follow Ollie onto the beach, when he stops so suddenly that I walk into him.

             
‘Ollie, what’s wrong? We’re not…’

I stop mid sentence as I
look around and realise what’s stopped him in his tracks. The beach is full of naked people. Obviously we were expecting this, seeing as we’re at a naturist beach, but these are all naked OAP’s! I guess it makes sense as it’s a work/school day, so it’s only the OAP’s who have enough spare time to hang out here during the day. And yes, the pun was intended there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much hanging out in my life!

             
‘Kitten, can we go? I don’t think I can stay here surrounded by all these golden oldies.’

             
‘Ollie, we’re here now. We’re doing this! Now put your sunglasses on, try to squint and let’s keep walking until our eyes stop hurting.’

             
‘Livs, please don’t make me. They’re all saggy and wrinkly.’

             
‘I’ll have sex with you in the sea, if we can find somewhere a little more secluded.’

             
‘Great, let’s go!’

              ‘Oh Livs, I’ve got some really exciting news for you. I made some calls whilst I was sunbathing and I’ve managed to get you a little work experience in an animal park. They said they could offer two spaces, so I thought you and Ollie could go while Josh and I sunbathe and relax. What do you think? ‘

Isabella tells me this in a really casual manner, but I can see in her eyes that she’s really excited about my reaction.

              ‘How on earth did you wangle that?’

             
‘I’m not going to lie to you; they weren’t too keen on having you there as it’s not something they usually do. They have for people in for an experience day, but these people usually pay them a fair amount.’

             
‘So I ask you again, how did you get Ollie and I into this Isabella?’

             
‘I told them I’m dying, you’re my full time helper, and Ollie is a reporter who’s writing about me and our journey. They couldn’t say no to a dying girl and its good free publicity for them. So enjoy it!’

             
‘Oh my god Izzy, I can’t believe you’d use your illness like that!’

             
‘Lighten up Livs, I’ve done you a favour. It’s not a full lie anyway, you are helping care for me and Ollie is writing about me. I want to show you both my appreciation but you could be a bit more grateful!’

Just lately Isabella’s moods have been getting worse. The smallest things set her off now, and we’re arguing more. I find it hard because we never used to argue, but I know it’s just the illness doing it to her. I’m trying to ignore the hate and anger she’s started to show towards me at times. I don’t want our last few months to be spent arguing, I hate confrontation, so it’s easier to just back down. Isabella's always been an adventure seeker, wanting to try new things and explore in between lazing by the pool; but now she spends more and more time just lying by the pool or resting. It must be so hard for her, normally she'd have come with me and told Ollie to have a day with Josh, but she's obviously not feeling up to much these days.

              ‘You’re right Izzy, I’m sorry, this sounds really fantastic! Thank you so much for the opportunity, when is it?’

             
‘You’re welcome Hun anything for you! It’s tomorrow morning, really early, you have to be there for 6am.’

             
‘6am?!’

Ollie and
I both shout that at the same time. He’s just as bad as me when it comes to early mornings.

             
‘Sorry guys! Maybe we should go back to the hotel room so you can get an early night.’

              ‘Come on kitten, we need to leave in 10 minutes or we’ll be really late.’

I force open one eye to see Ollie up and dressed, leaning over me with his hand outstretched, ready to poke me
again until I get up.

             
‘What time is it?’

I just about manage to mumble this question, before shutting my eye and drifting off again.

              ‘Olivia!’

I feel his fingers prodding at my face, and then suddenly he’s pulled me into a sitting position.

              ‘I’m awake, I’m awake!

             
‘Good, this is a fantastic opportunity and we don’t want to be late. Now get up, it’s a long drive there.’

              ‘Ollie, stop yawning! We have to get back to work in a minute. Sam said as soon as she’d been to the loo, we were off to feed the kangaroos. So you need to wake up and get excited.’

             
‘I am excited kitten; today’s been fantastic so far. But that super early start has caught up with me, I’m knackered.’

I’m also really tired, but I’m not going to admit that because I’m having the best day. I’m already excited about coming back tomorrow for our last day. I’m starting to worry Ollie won’t want to come back with me if we’re both tired.

We’ve been working so hard today, I wasn’t sure what we’d be doing at first. I kind of thought we’d just be looking at all the animals, and just learning more about them. In actual fact, we’ve been rushed off our feet since we arrived at quarter to six this morning. We’ve been meeting the animals one by one, and helping out each keeper with what needs doing at that particular time. So we’ve been feeding, cleaning out, grooming, helping with talks, and general dogsbody work.

Each group of animals has their own team of keepers to look after them, so they become experts with their animals and understand and communicate with them. They know their moods and can pick up when they’re ill before the vets would know. Sam is the head keeper for the kangaroos, but she also trains up all the new staff; so she knows the basics about all the animals. She said she’s treating us like we’re new staff, so today we’re doing what everyone does on their first week. Then tomorrow we each get to pick an animal and spend the day learning all about them, which is what new staff do in their second week. Although they don’t get to choose which animal, they just get put with whichever animal needs a new keeper. I’m slightly panicked about being without Ollie, but I doubt we’ll choose the same animals, so I guess I need to be brave. So far, my favourite animals have been the
meerkats and otters. But as we’re in Australia, I ought to choose one of their native animals, so I’m looking forward to meeting the kangaroos, wombats and dingoes’ today.

             
‘Okay guys; are you ready to meet the roos?’

My face lights up as I squeal in delight. Sam takes that as my answer, and leads the way.

The past two days have by far been the best two of my life! Before, I thought I wanted to either work as a vet, or as a marine biologist, but now I think I want to work in an animal park or zoo. Hopefully I won’t need to go back to college or university for that, which is a bonus as that’s what was putting me off.

Ollie loved his time there too, neither of us wanted to leave. Ollie is now busy writing an article about what we got up to, and of course updating his blog about Isabella. I read his first draft and couldn’t help laughing; he wrote a massive essay about what he’d been up to; how he’d spent the day with alligators and reptiles. Explaining about their routine and what then ate. Then at the end, he added one sentence saying Isabella sunbathed with her boyfriend Josh and relaxed by the pool at the hotel.

Considering this was written for Isabella’s column, I persuaded him to rewrite it so her bit was more exciting, and his was the minimum, but then he could write his own article about his experience. He begrudgingly agreed, and with him writing his own article it meant he could include a bit about my day with the kangaroos. It was exciting being interviewed for a real newspaper, even if the interview was being conducted by my boyfriend.

While I was answering his questions about the keepers for the kangaroos, if they were helpful, friendly, etc, I decided to leave out the part where one of the male keepers asked me out. I’ve not even told Isabella because I was so gobsmacked. Sam had left me with him, Mike, because he was similar in age to me. He’s 26 and your typical Australian male, with the wavy blonde surfer hair, gorgeous tan and slim muscular build. Mike had been really kind to me, making me feel really welcome. He was flirting right from the start, but I thought he was just being friendly. He invited me to go surfing with him one morning, which reminded me I wanted to take the boys surfing. When I declined surfing, he asked me for a meal or even a drink. It was a bit awkward after that, but luckily he kept friendly and professional until the end. It’s safe to say nobody will find out about that.

             
‘Have I told you how hot you girls look on your surfboards?’

             
‘Shut it Josh! Compliments won’t help your surfing skills. One more time, show me how you get up to standing.’

It’s so funny watching Isabella try to teach Josh to surf. You wouldn’t think until recently Isabella was scared of swimming in the sea. Luckily for me, Ollie has surfed a few times so only needed a little reminder. We went out a few times, but when I saw how much Josh was struggling, I brought Ollie into the shallows so I could help
Izzy teach Josh.

             
‘Babe, I don’t think I can do it. I think I’m just built for swimming and looking good. Why don’t we go and have a bit of fun in the sea instead?’

             
‘No Josh, you’re not getting out of it! You said you wanted to learn, so I won’t let you quit. I do however give up, so Livs will have to take over. Ollie and I are going to catch some waves.’

Josh gives me a sulky puppy dog look and I almost give in and let him go for a swim instead. No, I must be strong, if I can teach Isabella I can teach anybody!

              ‘Sorry Josh, you heard her.’

By lunchtime we’re all surfing like pros, well, Josh is surfing competently at least. He loves it now he knows how to do it, and has decided to become a beach bum when he goes home. We’re sitting in a gorgeous beach front cafe for lunch, with an ice cold cider, well I have coke, but the others have cider.

Isabella gets a call from her mum and goes to the sit on the beach. She looks so beautiful, sitting on the sand with the glittery sea in front of her and her shadow dancing beside her. I can only see the back of her but I know she’s smiling; she always does when talking to or about her mum. A pang of homesick hits me; I must call my mum tonight. I haven’t spoke to her in a couple of days and I realise I miss her.
As I'm thinking this I let out a sigh, Ollie wraps his arm around my shoulders looking to see what has upset me. As soon as he notices the beautiful view of Isabella he whips out his camera and takes some snaps.

             
'This will make a beautiful canvas. I'm going to use it in tomorrow's column, but I think I'll also order a print to be sent to her mum.'

             
'That's a beautiful gesture Ollie. Rita will love it!'

              ‘She’s tracked him down! I have my dad’s email address! I can finally contact him and ask him all the questions I want to!’

Isabella practically skips back over to us. Her smile as wide as a Cheshire cat, I didn’t think she’d be this excited about contacting her dad. She never talks about him; if she does she calls him the sperm donor. At least I hear stories about my dad, see pictures, and know his family. I feel like I know and I love him even though I never met him. Isabella knows nothing of her dad and has always said that’s how she wants it to stay. I guess everything’s been put into perspective now. I wonder who this meeting will be harder for. The man who gets to meet his
daughter for the first time, knowing he won’t have time to get to know her. Or the girl who has to meet her dad just to ask questions that won’t really help her in the grand scheme of things. I feel heartbreak coming her way.

             
‘That was fast, what’s next then?’

             
‘I’m going to email him; will you help me write it Livs?’

             
‘I’m pleased you’ve tracked him down baby, if you don’t need our help do you mind if Ollie and I go play pool?’

             
‘That’s fine baby, I only need Livs for this, so go enjoy have a break from me and have some fun for a bit.’

Josh leans over and gives Isabella a quick kiss before rushing off, rubbing his hands together in glee. Ollie shrugs his shoulders at me in a casual way, before kissing me and heading off in search of his friend.

             
Dear Greg,

             
                            This is a hard email to write, so I’m going to get straight to the point. My name is Isabella Webber, I am your daughter. I understand you didn’t want anything to do with me but there are certain circumstances. These circumstances mean if you ever wanted to meet me, you’d need to do so in the next couple of months, or you won’t get the chance. I don’t want to go into full details through email or guilt you into meeting me if you didn’t want to.

             
I’m currently travelling the world, but nothing is planned. So if you want to meet up, just give me a couple of weeks to plan a route home.

             
I hope you’re well and I hope to hear from you soon.

             
                                          Isabella xxx

              ‘Are you sure it sounds okay Livs?’

             
‘Yes definitely. Are you sure you want to send it?’

             
‘Yes! Will you send it for me Livs? I can’t bring myself to push the button.’

Isabella is visibly shaking, so I take her phone from her, press send and then switch it off and put it in my bag.

              ‘There you go, it’s sent. And I’m looking after your phone so you don’t check it every five minutes.’

             
‘Thanks Livs. Now let’s go find our men, and take my mind of my dad. We’re in Australia, let’s enjoy it!’