Chapter Four - Friends

"Do you really have to go?" Barry whined.

"I'm afraid so, my friend," John told him, scratching affectionately behind the orange cat's ears.

"I wish you didn't have to go," the tiger cub muttered sadly, his ears drooping.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but this is your home, and now I must return to mine in England. There are many other creatures out there who need help too."

"Will you ever come back and visit?"

"Of course I will."

"Thank you for everything. I'll miss you, Doc."

"You are most welcome. I am always happy to help. And I'll miss you too, Barry."

"And Lily will miss you too. And Poly."

John smiled. "And I will miss them."

It had already been three weeks since his arrival in Monteverde. John felt that there was still so much of the island he hadn't seen yet, but he had to return home to England - his practice and animal sanctuary awaited him.

A ship was readied to take him on his journey - courtesy of the king and princess.

"I cannot thank you enough, Doctor," Rassouli said. "For all you have done for Barry."

"Always happy to help." He gave them some instructions about tending to the tiger cub.

The two men shook hands.

"Your work is certainly exceptional."

"Thank you. I try my best."

"You are welcome here anytime."

"Oh, well thank you. That's very kind."

"Thank you, Doctor," said Poly.

"You are most welcome, Poly."

Last, but certainly not least, he bid farewell to Lily.

They had shared an instant connection, those two, and had grown close over the few weeks he had spent on her home island.

"Keep in touch," she told him.

"Of course," he promised.

"Write to me."

"Yes, will do. Definitely."

"Oh, and-" She reached into her little shoulder bag and withdrew something. "-For your journey back, just in case." She handed him some ginger root.

He chuckled. "Thank you."

They exchanged one last smile, and then he was gone.


Dear John,

Hola!

"Who's John?"

Lily jumped at her father's voice suddenly behind her. Her sudden movement caused droplets of ink from her pen to splatter across the page she was writing on. Great, now she would have to start over. Luckily she hadn't written too much so far, and at least she hadn't knocked the ink pot itself over, spilling ink everywhere. Still, this page was ruined.

She was seated at a writing desk in the palace library. "Papa! Were you hovering looking over my shoulder?" she scolded, withdrawing a new piece of parchment.

"No." She gave him a look. "All right, maybe a little. I was curious as to what you were doing."

"You could have asked."

"Apologies, my dear. So, who is John?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Dr. Dolittle."

"Oh. I was not aware you were on a first name basis with him..."

"Yes, we're friends. We promised to keep in touch."

"Very well..."

"Papa."

"What?"

"I know that tone, and that look - you're concerned."

"No, I'm not. Just surprised is all..."

"I thought you liked the doctor."

"I do, yes."

"But?"

"But I think it's good to be wary of outsiders too."

Lily sighed. "We're merely exchanging letters, Papa. It's quite harmless."

"Still." With that, and a lingering concerned look, Rassouli left her to continue her letter - well, start over her letter.

Lily and John's connection had been clear from the start - and had certainly not gone unnoticed by King Rassouli.


John had fallen asleep at his desk - again. He had been working late into the night on a paper on different kinds of butterflies. Fascinating work, but his tendency to stay up late into the night - and sometimes even into the wee hours of the morning - was catching up with him, and he had clearly fallen asleep in the middle of his work.

He rubbed a tense spot in his neck and yawned - he really needed to improve his sleeping habits.

Checking his pocket watch he found that it was already mid-morning - he must have been tired.

Lily's latest letter sat open and read - multiple times - on his desk. It had been four months since his departure from Monteverde, since they had seen each other last.

Dear John,

Hola from Monteverde! I hope this letter finds you well.

We are all well here - especially Barry! He has shown great improvement and is doing much better and is clearly much happier - all thanks to you! He misses you, I can tell. I miss you too.

Sincerely, your friend,

Lily

His mostly-finished response lay next to it.

Dear Lily,

Thank you for your latest letter. I am well, thank you, and hope that you and your father are still doing the same.

I am so glad to hear how well our friend Barry is doing. He is a hard worker and determined, and it has helped him greatly. I always knew he had it in him to succeed.

Looking forward to hearing from you again soon.

Your friend,

John

He signed his signature at the end, folded the letter, and slipped it inside an envelope, addressing it to her. There, now it was all ready for the post.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

"Doc! Sounds like someone's at the door!" called Dab-Dab.

"Oh!" John jumped to his feet, racing down the hall towards the front door. He checked his appearance in the hall mirror along the way - his clothes were a little wrinkled and he tried to flatten his wild curls.

"Just a moment! I'll be right there!" he called to whoever awaited his opening of the door. However, when he finally reached the door and opened it, he found the front step empty.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Well, there was certainly no one at the door. So where was the knocking coming from then?

Looking to the window in the surgery, he saw a parrot tapping at the glass with her beak.

"Poly," cried John, rushing to open the window and let her inside. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello Doctor." Poly fluttered inside and perched on the operating table before him. "Lily sent me ahead - she's pulling the ship into the docks."

"Lily's here?"

"Yes," chuckled Poly, noting his clear excitement at this news.

With that, John wasted no time in following Poly outside, running to the harbour while she flew on ahead. There was a ship baring the Monteverde flag anchored at the docks, Lily herself walking up the hill towards them.

"Lily, you're here," cried John. "I was just about to send a response to your letter."

"Yes, I am! And I can't wait to read it." She grinned.

"What brings you back to England? Do you have another animal in need of help?"

"I don't, but I've got word of some in the jungles of India, who have been caught and are being shipped across the globe. We need to help them."

"Oh - we?"

"Yes, who better to help rescue some animals in need than a doctor with your special skills?"

"Oh, well, if there are animals in need, then I must go to them!"

"That's the spirit! What do you say Doctor?" The pirate princess grinned. "Are you up for an adventure?"

Yay, they're reunited again! :) Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)