‘I put in some crazy night lights too, perfect when snacking on some special gummy bears where you can watch the fish for hours.But I live out here more.’
Following him outside, Romy double-blinked at the grass-roofed Tiki style outdoor bar that stood on one side, with a massive wide screen on the wall.Exercise equipment sat in one corner, and towering palm trees shaded a large pool with a tropical garden full of bright bromeliads and colourful crotons.‘This is like a Bali resort.’Even the air was filled with warm scents of frangipani and exotic spicy gingers.
‘That’s where I got the idea from.’
‘Do you need me to clean the pool as part of our bartered boarding fees?’She was looking forward to staying in this luxurious setting.
‘You don’t have to do anything to the pool.’
‘But it’s so crystal clear?’
‘It’s an eco-pool.Done the same way I run all my tanks.The plants do the filtering for me, making it chemical free.’
Just then the water rippled, and a shark fin rose from the far edge of the pond.
‘Shark!You have a shark.’She scrambled back towards the house.
‘Relax, that’s just Finley.’Stone tucked the banana into his shirt’s top pocket as he crouched down to pat the edge of the water.The shark fin aimed straight for him.‘G’day Finley.Give us a cuddle.’And he pulled out a turtle wearing a fin.
‘It’s a turtle?’And a big one at that.How odd.
‘Don’t you get a gold star for animal recognition?’
She straightened her shirt and hair, as if pulling herself together.‘I thought it was a shark.’
‘Nope, just Finley.He’s a snapping turtle who likes to pretend he’s Jaws’ baby cousin ten times removed.’
She rolled her eyes at the smart-arse wearing the confident grin.‘Does Finley bite?’
‘If he doesn’t like you, he will.But Finley likes everyone, and everyone likes Finley.He’s got that type of personality.Come on, mate, time to meet the new backpacker.’Stone gently put the turtle down and it keenly rolled towards Romy.
She skittered to hide behind Stone.‘Turtles don’t move that fast.’
‘Finley does.Relax.’Stone tenderly took her hand, igniting a spiral of sparks to rush through her bloodstream, as he pulled her down to crouch beside him.
The turtle rolled towards them as Stone peeled the banana and offered it to her.‘You can feed him.That’s your job.’
‘You said house pets.Like a dog, cat, or a bird.’
He gave an annoyed snort.‘In this household Finley is the house pet.His food fridge is the red one behind the bar, with his goodies kept in special containers labelled morning and night.You can’t mess it up.The banana is a treat.He likes pawpaw and melons, too.So don’t tease him by eating fruit or salad and not share with him.Finley may bite you for it.’
‘What do I do?’
‘Hold it out and he’ll come to you.Finley is friendly.’
Hesitantly, Romy held out the chunk of fragrantly fresh banana, realising she hadn’t eaten since the roadhouse breakfast.The turtle rolled towards her, his little eyes on the banana, with mouth open, ready to chow down.‘He’s actually rolling, isn’t he?’
‘I made him a skateboard.Finley only has three legs.’
‘And the fin?’
‘Helps him swim.And I like how it freaks out the tourists.’Stone chuckled.
Romy tried to scowl at him, which didn’t last long—she had to smile.
‘As the number one house pet, Finley cruises around the house.So please make sure the front door is always kept closed.That includes the side gates.’
Her heart softened as she hand-fed the turtle, which sat on a hidden skateboard, wearing a shark fin.‘Fin-ley.I get it now.’It was a moment for the memory bank, for sure.‘How did you end up with Finley?’
