AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Look at that, you can read my mind.”
I laughed again. “Come on, let’s get this shower and I’ll take you to breakfast. My shout.”
“I’d like that, no one ever takes me out for a meal and pays the bill.”
The comment had me freezing for a moment.
“Hudson?”
“Yes, Sweetheart?”
“You do know I don’t care about your money, don’t you? I would never expect or ask you to spend it on me. I have a really good boss and I earn good money, so I can spring for a meal or a trip now and again.”
“Oh, Sweetheart. I can scout out a gold digger a mile away and I know you aren’t one. And if you would like to take me for a meal, or out somewhere, I won’t say no.”
“Thank you. I just wanted to clear it up, so there’s no doubt in your mind.”
Hudson tilted his head to one side. “You really are one in a million.”
“Thank you, now, shower.”
Hudson helped me from the bed, and we made our way to the bathroom.
***
I snuggled against Hudson as the ferry bounced over the waves towards Taronga Zoo, content after having eaten a much bigger breakfast than I should have. Hudson had made the decision not to use his own boat since I’d expressed a desire to ride the public ferry.
I’d only ever been to Perth Zoo, and I was about nine years old at the time. I was excited to be sharing the experience with Hudson.
I marvelled again at the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the wide mouth of Luna Park, somewhere else I wanted to visit. I understood why the harbour was such a huge drawcard for overseas visitors.
Not a lot of time passed before the ferry slowed, and the driver eased us alongside the wharf. I looked up at the steep, bush-covered hill where the zoo was situated and was glad I was wearing a comfortable pair of joggers.
Hudson helped me ashore, and hand-in-hand, we headed towards the entrance. Once there, he paid the entry fee, and we were handed a map. Inside, Hudson unfolded the guide.
“Should we take the Sky Safari chairlift and then work our way down to the wharf, or check out everything on the way up and back down?”
“Yes, taking the chairlift is a good idea.”
Decision made, we headed to the lift station and climbed aboard a car. I wasn’t a fan of heights, but seeing the animals from above, the elephants on safari, and monkeys swinging from one place to another, was a fabulous experience.
We were deposited at the top of the hill, not far from the zoo’s main entrance and once we climbed from the car, Hudson checked the map again. Taking my hand, we headed to the squirrel monkey enclosure.
Hudson and I laughed at the antics of the cute critters while they tried to outdo each other, but when I turned to Hudson, his eyes were fixed on me.
His lips were turned up in a grin. “Your entire face lights up when you laugh.”
“Honey, you’re supposed to be checking out the animals.”
“I’ve been before, I’d rather watch you.” I stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Look at the animals, Hudson.”
He laughed before pecking a kiss to my cheek. “Animals. Got ya.”
Over the next three hours, we held a koala, made faces at chimpanzees, and when they pulled faces back, we dissolved in laughter.
After admiring the tigers, we doubled back to where the Australian animals were housed, and I spent much more time than Hudson probably would have liked, watching the platypus. It was the most fascinating animal I’d ever seen.
From there, we headed further downhill. The path was steep in places, and I was glad we’d chosen to catch the chairlift and start at the top.
