Chapter Two: Are Those Dinosaurs!?

Adelaide

Adelaide was never speechless.

Much like her Granddad, she could talk for England and usually never stopped until someone told her to shut up. This, however, took the biscuit.

Muldoon and Hammond were both chuckling to themselves at her reactions – muttering about how they 'should have brought a camera', whilst her mouth remained open to catch flies as she gazed at the creatures before her.

"So…when you said 'attractions' or 'assets' you meant…you meant dinosaurs?" Adelaide clutched the wooden fencing of the paddock, where at least six Triceratops grazed on the lush foliage. The beasts were covered in thick, grey skin much like a rhinoceros, with two long, sharp horn protruding from their foreheads. Behind these defences lay a frill, which reminded Adelaide of the neck collars they used to wear in Tudor times from the pictures in her history books.

"Yes, aren't they marvellous?" Hammond gushed, his Scottish accent thickening the more animated he became. The dinosaurs emitted occasional groaning noises, the sound deep enough to vibrate through her entire body.

"This is…unbelievable."

"Do you know much about dinosaurs?" Muldoon asked her as he approached the fence, hat spinning in his hand absentmindedly.

"Nothing at all," She admitted, laughing slightly, sky-blue eyes as wide as saucers. "I mean, everyone knows the basics I guess…but…" Adelaide gestured towards the dinosaurs to finish her sentence. "I'm guessing your knowledge is much better than mine,"

Robert nodded slightly, face fix in concentration. The animals were surrounded by two fences: the one she and Muldoon currently leant against, and another, much larger electrified fence. "I am familiar. Know more about the carnivores though, they are my focus here. They may be amazing to look at, but these are real, living, breathing beings that are extremely dangerous. The herbivores are…manageable…but the others…" He tailed off, seemingly catching himself before he said too much.

"I've seen what a rhinoceros can do to a fully-grown man. I have no qualms in showing these animals the respect they deserve," Adelaide caught sight of her Grandfather talking rather energetically with another member of staff. She turned her gaze back to the triceratops, one of the large creatures giving another one a nudge in the behind. The afflicted animal gave an annoyed grunt and the pair started to squabble – displaying typical herd type behaviour.

"You seem to have your head screwed onto your shoulders, that's good. We need more like you around here," Muldoon said.

"It is screwed on, right? I mean, I kind of still can't believe what I'm seeing," She responded, earning a chuckle from the man beside her.

"Unfortunately, you are perfectly sane,"

"Adelaide! Come this way my dear, we have a few infants I think you would love to see!" Hammond cried, beckoning her over with his hands. He resembled a school boy who'd just been given a bathroom pass – completely besides himself with excitement.

It was late evening by the time Adelaide finally threw her pyjamas on, letting the cold breeze from the air conditioning drift over her body. The view from her room was spectacular: the cliffs ascended upwards, meandering awat from the base slightly to reveal the jagged, rough rocks of the face. The tempestuous, unruly sea crashed into the shore in wild, untameable waves – mother nature showing off her true power.

She let out a sigh, pulling her thick brunette curls from the tight ponytail and feeling her scalp instantly relax. Dark hair, blue eyes, pale skin – she got this from her father's side, who were of Irish descent. It often meant she burnt more than anything else in hot countries, so factor 50 travelled with her wherever she went. Due to years of working outdoors, walking, hiking and promptly throwing up when foreign cuisine turned her stomach, she was physically fit and lean.

Throwing herself down on the comfortable queen sized bed, Adelaide picked up the phone from her bedside table and dialled a familiar number.

"Hello?" Dereck's voice sounded from the other end. His voice was gruff, and she realised with the time difference she'd probably woken him up.

"Hey, it's me Adelaide. Sorry, didn't mean to wake you,"

"No, no it's all good, I wasn't sleepin' anyway," She could hear him scrambling around and smiled, knowing he was lying about the sleeping thing. "How was your trip?"

"It's been…something. I can't tell you any details but…my Grandad has really done it this time," Adelaide heard him chuckle deeply.

"Sounds interesting, it'll give you something juicy to write about at least. When did you say you're coming back?"

"It's a weekend thing, so Monday. Don't worry, I think you'll be able to cope without me," She teased, rolling over onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. Dereck, a guy she'd met out on her travels, had reconnected with her back in New York where they were both based. He was charming, good looking, and they were both avid adventure seekers. They'd been dating now for going on 10 months and were now getting to the 'serious' stage (which for the two travellers was something of a marvel).

"Cool…so er…what are you wearing?"

Adelaide burst into laughter down the phone. "Ew, Dereck, they probably have these phones bugged!"

"Ah, worth a shot," The teasing of his tone made her laugh again. "Seriously though, I am going to miss you until you come back. Don't get so preoccupied with this new venture that you forget all about me,"

"As if I could! Although the chef my Granddad hired is amazing…"

"Marry him then, watch how much you regret it when you get all fat,"

"How dare you! Maybe you should learn to cook once and a while!" Adelaide and Dereck continued to banter back and forth for a while longer, before her eyes began to droop and she was forced to say goodnight. The pillows were beautifully fluffy, and as she drifted to sleep, she could swear she heard the distant, alien roars of a previously extinct animal.

As per usual, Adelaide rose just after dawn. She laid out her matt on the balcony and did 30 minutes of yoga in the fast approaching heat of the island, stretching out her muscles and clearing her mind. Adelaide was quite flexible – she'd learned this at the age of seven, when her Mother forced her to participate in ballet. Flexible she may be, but graceful most certainly not. It took her a good few months of tearful tantrums to eventually persuade her Mum to let her pursue other activities.

After a quick shower she headed off to find her Granddad, who said he'd meet her for breakfast before collecting his guests. She found him out on the veranda overlooking the largest lake on the island. It was teeming with prehistoric life and Adelaide found herself watching in awe for a while.

"Good morning Aida, please come and join me," He motioned, the table he sat at full of fruit, cereals, toast, eggs and everything in between. "How did you sleep?"

"Absolutely amazing, those beds are to die for. Can I have one?" She laughed, grabbing a piece of grapefruit and sinking her teeth into it.

"I don't see why not my dear, I can have it arranged in no time-"

"I was joking, Granddad," Adelaide interrupted with a mouth now full of toast.

"Ah, I am too slow for youthful jokes these days!" His eyes twinkled, large hands cupping a small mug of piping hot tea. "I cannot wait to show you and our guests around, it will be spectacular, marvellous!"

"I can't wait to be honest, what you've done here….well, what I've seen is just incomprehensible. Are you sure you are ok with me writing about this?"

"Well, like I told you, you will have to wait until we are officially open of course, but please, I would love you to write about our park in your travel magazine!"

"It's not my magazine, Grandad," Adelaide said. "Remember I sent you the clippings from it the last one?"

"Yes yes! The wee one you wrote about Singapore was a sure page turner. This travel writing lark is definitely a thing of the future," Hammond mused with earnest. "And we are all about being as modern as we can around here,"

"Well they are saying it won't be that long until we have the internet in our homes, and that they will be putting up webpages with all the information you will ever need, right at the click of a button! Isn't that amazing?" Adelaide rambled excitedly. "Books will literally become obsolete. Not that I think that's a great idea, I mean, I love books. But think about it – being able to access content wherever you are in the world, contact people without having to use a phone?"

"It will surely be a marvel," Her Grandad agreed. "I would suggest you talk to Nedry, he's the top man around here for that sort of talk, but he's a bit of a…well, to not piss around the pot, wanker,"

Adelaide almost spat out her own tea at his profanity, finding old people using bad language amusing. "I will take your word for it,"

"Mr Hammond, your chopper has arrived, they are ready to collect you," One of her Grandfather's employees voiced from the threshold. The waiter's eyes swept over Adelaide – he was young, probably around nineteen, and he seemed to appreciate what he was seeing. She rolled her eyes, her Granddad completely oblivious to it.

"Right! Well, I'd better be off. Important guests to see to," He pushed himself up with his cane, hat popping onto his head. "Aida, will you stay here and greet Lexi and Tim for me? I would get them myself but these guests are highly important, very VIP,"

"You go, go go go and I will see you later," Adelaide ushered him out of the door, bidding him goodbye and returning to her breakfast. The kids would be arriving soon and by that point, no one would be getting any peace or quiet.