‘Yes, there’s been some research into administering a vaccine to wild squirrels, but until that’s been perfected, it’s not possible to establish colonies in England.’ He smiled. ‘But maybe Mav will take his children into these woodlands and find red squirrels roaming free.’
‘You’re in this for the long haul, then.’
Drew nodded. ‘An oak tree can support up to a thousand different species of wildlife. I won’t live to see the ones I planted last year grow to their full size.’
‘Good thing someone thought to plant a few for us, then.’
‘Yes. We’re just trying to pay that forward, so that future generations will still have the species that are becoming endangered now. Not just the ones that hit the headlines but the lesser known ones. You know who runs the planet?’
Caro thought for a moment. ‘I’m guessing the answer isn’t going to be us.’
‘Well, in some ways we do. But the wart-biter bush-cricket, the shrill carder bee and the bog sun jumper spider are all endangered species in Britain, and they’re part of a vast number of different insects that keep our ecosystem going.’
‘Great names. Someone should definitely save them. So saying that I’d rather watch hedgehogs than have a wart-biter cricket crawling across my foot isn’t the way to look at it?’
‘That’s a reasonable enough reaction. But there are a lot of entomologists working very hard to encourage various species of insect, some of which are very important to our natural habitats.’ Drew smirked at her. ‘It’s an endlessly complicated interaction. I thought you might like that.’
It was definitely growing on her. ‘I prefer to confine myself to robotics. It’s a lot more predictable.’
He nodded, looking up as the sound of voices floated towards them. When Caro saw a young woman, leading a group of children, she automatically moved away from Drew a little, feeling the sweet pressure of his arm around her lift.
‘Ah. One of our school trips. They’ll be here to see the reindeer.’
‘You have reindeer!’ Caro couldn’t conceal her excitement. ‘Real reindeer?’
‘No, they’re plastic ones with red noses...’ he joked, and Caro frowned at him. ‘You want to tag along?’
‘Yes. Please. I’ve never seen a real reindeer before.’
He got to his feet, greeting the woman at the head of the group, and introducing Caro to Angie, a teacher at one of the nearby schools. Drew fell into step with the group, talking to the children and telling them about the wildlife that lived here in the woods.
He was so at ease here. Caro could imagine him tramping these woods, strong and alert to everything that was going on around him. Never alone, because he understood the complex language of the countryside, which Caro had always just hurried past without giving it a second thought. What cacophony did he hear in the rolling waters around her home? Suddenly, she wanted very much to dive with him and find out.
CHAPTER SEVEN
CARO SEEMED AS excited as the children were when they approached the cluster of low barns that housed the petting zoo. Eddie, the manager here, had brought the most docile of the reindeer in from the pasture, and was waiting for them in the barnyard.
A chatter of excitement ran around the group, and Eddie introduced Dasher the reindeer to the children. He saw Caro clutch her hands together, almost jumping up and down with excitement, and Drew decided to hang back a little, sitting down on a bale of hay. The afternoon sun caught the golden highlights in her hair, and he smiled.
Under Eddie’s close supervision, each of the children was allowed to approach Dasher, with a little hay to feed him with. Angie took her turn, but Caro was hanging back, talking to a little boy who didn’t look inclined to go anywhere near Dasher. They seemed to be coming to some decision, and Caro put her hand up, along with the other kids who wanted to feed Dasher.
She approached Dasher gingerly, turning to look back at the little boy she’d been talking to. Clearly both of them were a little nervous of getting too close to the reindeer. Eddie handed her some straw, and she held it out, seeming ready to snatch her hand away if Dasher made any sudden moves.
Dasher amiably took some of the straw from her hand, and Caro gasped with delight. Carefully, she reached out and stroked Dasher’s neck. This was what the petting zoo was for. Kids of all ages.
Meanwhile the little boy was edging closer, emboldened by Caro’s bravery. Both Eddie and Caro let him take his time, but finally he reached out, taking some straw to feed to Dasher. Caro turned, and the look of delight on her face made Drew want to laugh out loud with happiness.
‘Hey, Drew, I wasn’t expecting to see you here this afternoon.’ Kirsty, one of the animal care assistants, walked towards him.
‘I just dropped in. How’s everything going?’
‘Fine. Um...are you back at work yet?’ Kirsty eyed the walking stick propped up against the bale of hay.
‘Yes, I’m back. Anything I can help with?’
‘Well, I was going to call Ellie but since you’re here... I noticed this morning that Missy’s very slightly lame in one of her back legs. I’ve kept her inside, and I think it’s just a stone bruise, but it would be great if you could take a look.’
‘Yes, of course. You’re going to go and help with the children?’